Andersen Hitch Failure? on Facebook

[SouthTX]

There's a new thread on FB that reminds me why I hate FB - quickly digressed in to name calling and vulgarity. But the thread shows an AUH that failed while towing a Momentum. Few details were provided, but the poster says the hitch was properly installed, etc.

The pinbox appears to be a Rotoflex, no information as to if an Andersen Rotoflex lockout kit was installed. It almost appears that the rear of the RV must have been raised high enough to twist the hitch down - which would account for the rear brace failing. Can't imagine how this would happen, though. It also appears that the breakaway cable is twisted with the hitch locking cable.

I'm not sure what happened and details are lacking, but the photos are interesting.

Best,

John

 

[TucsonJim]

I've seen that failure mode a couple of times. It seems to happen on the largest Solitude and Momentum fifth wheels. Here are some pics I acquired from the FB page (which I dislike participating in):

Jim

 

[SouthTX]

Thanks for posting those photos, Jim, I wasn't sure if it was permissible. Further down that thread there is another photo showing the Andersen adapter on a Rotoflex pinbox. Looking at that it is certainly possible to imagine the failure scenario. The poster said they had hit a curb or dip when it happened.

There are also links saying that the flex pinbox shouldn't be used with the AUH.

The AUH haters are/were having a field day with this failure. It has gotten a little quieter since this additional information has been posted.

BTW, FB threads like that really make me appreciate the decorum on this board. Thanks.

 

[bertschb]

Yikes! That's kind of scary. Doesn't look like anything but the hitch was damaged which is good.

 

[CloseToRetirement]

In the photos I wonder why the rubber bumper is not visible. My Rotoflex has a rubber bumper above the horizontal plate.

 

[Jerryr]

In the photos I wonder why the rubber bumper is not visible. My Rotoflex has a rubber bumper above the horizontal plate.

It looks like the Andersen “lock out kit” is installed. I believe it covers the bumper.

http://www.hitchsource.com/docs/pdf/Rota-Flex-Lockout-Kit-AM_3247-Instructions .pdf

Jerry

 

[FT4NOW]

It is pretty impressive that all the welds maintained their integrity and that the failure was one of the vertical supports. I would have expected a failure to look different than what it did. Goes to show you, sometimes it is important to follow all the instructions on how a product is intended to be installed.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[SkiSmuggs]

With the exception of the Gen 1 Andersen, the failures I've seen have been with the Roto-flex.

 

[bry1956]

It appears to be a structural failure to me ,maybe not the proper hitch for the weight of the fifth wheel.


Bryan