Here's an Andersen hitch failure caught on camera

Bruce M

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2022
Messages
144
Location
Sullivan County, NY
This is the Version 2 Anderson hitch failing. personally I didn't get any warm fuzzies when shopping for a 5th wheel hitch and checking these out, Not an engineer but I don't have to be to know that aluminum isn't stronger than steel and when towing a 18K projectile on wheels I want strong not light weight. But that's just my uneducated opinion, I'm certain there will be floods of users of this product to tell me I'm way off base.

Anyway the video;
https://youtu.be/pHsoUQFnyqY?si=o9NI_2sq-WOs6Mj4
 
This is the Version 2 Anderson hitch failing. personally I didn't get any warm fuzzies when shopping for a 5th wheel hitch and checking these out, Not an engineer but I don't have to be to know that aluminum isn't stronger than steel and when towing a 18K projectile on wheels I want strong not light weight. But that's just my uneducated opinion, I'm certain there will be floods of users of this product to tell me I'm way off base.

Anyway the video;
https://youtu.be/pHsoUQFnyqY?si=o9NI_2sq-WOs6Mj4

The OP of that video said in the comments:

"I’m the person this happened to and the one who sent the video to JD.

Like the video said, the failure rate for the Andersen “Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection” is EXTREMELY LOW. And, since the 2021 version, there have been ZERO failures."
 
You want a 5er hitch made of USA quality steel...... DEMCO. But, you'll also carry the extra weight.

Our 18K Auto-slider has been well worth every added ounce! Easy to: hitch/unhitch (even at a slight TV/RV angle), operate, and maintain. But, a back breaker to remove from the TV bed - recommend a block & tackle with Demco hitch face tool for removal.
 
Air Safe hitches are made and produced in Linden Utah. They are a very good hitch with air bags to cushion the ruff ride when towing. They are heavy bur solid. They will break down fairly easy into two pieces. The hitch itself is 175 to 195 lb's depending on which one it is. Still heavy when taken apart but doable for taking out.
 
Oh I'm not in the market for a hitch anymore, I've been using the B&W 25K and couldn't be happier with it.

I just posted this video because I ran across it while surfing the webs and figured this would be a good place to post it since this is where I went first while I was in the market.

I also don't intend to crap all over someone else's purchase just because of a one of event but it is good information to consider if you are in the market.

I am confident in saying that ALL manufacturers in hitch companies have had their fair share of failures, so not trying to single out Anderson. I'm sure they're a great company that stands behind their product as indicated in the comments section of the posted video.
 
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The OP of that video said in the comments:

"I’m the person this happened to and the one who sent the video to JD.

Like the video said, the failure rate for the Andersen “Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection” is EXTREMELY LOW. And, since the 2021 version, there have been ZERO failures."

He's wrong on the version 2 .My version 2 failed and so did my version 1. Both pulling only a 14k 5er. I went to an AirSafe 25k and glad I did when I bought the 397.
My mantra is " friends don't let friends use an Andersen "
 
Bruce, I’m all for sharing stuff that might help other shoppers, but this thread has so little context it is virtually click-bait.

We’ll hit 20K miles of towing with our AUH this week over a 5-year period. I’m still happy with our choice, and I’ve also been honest about the things that can make having the Andersen a bit of a pain (e.g. needing to remove the kingpin adapter when dropping our trailer off for service).

I’d also like to see hitch threads more well rounded, rather than just be feeding fears. As other’s have mentioned, the majority of hitches on the market are a bear to remove from your truck. And I’d also like to suggest there’s probably been more body damage to trucks from people not doing a proper tug test than due to failing non-traditional hitches.

We also spent 5-years towing a bumper pull with the Andersen WDH. I researched that one a few times and found the vast majority of very happy owners had a 3/4 ton truck. We had a large SUV and it took me almost 2 years to chase all instability out of our combo. Still, that was a good choice for us because DW could get us hooked up while I finished a day at work. We’d be on the road less than an hour after I got home.

Kind regards,
Chris
 
Reality check.

What ever happened to failure is not an option?

How have we become OK with a failure of this nature for the sake of weight savings or convenience or whatever?... Failure is ok as long as the company stands behind it?

To me, it's pretty simple. This hitch will not break. If you want it lighter, you can't have it. If you want it cheaper, you can't have it.

This is not a new science or technology that humanity is trying to figure out.

This type of failure is not acceptable. Not one single time. Not ever.

Why are we making excuses?
 
He's wrong on the version 2 .My version 2 failed and so did my version 1. Both pulling only a 14k 5er. I went to an AirSafe 25k and glad I did when I bought the 397.
My mantra is " friends don't let friends use an Andersen "
How did your version 1 fail?

I had one and pulled a 45’ Mobile Suite for 4 yrs with it.
 
Opinions are like... well you know. Anything built by man can fail. Robotic welds? OK, I worked in a manufacturing process that used robots to remove powdered metal parts from a press. Millions of them a month. These parts can be crumbled in your hands or when dropped, when in what we called the green or un-sintered state. After many thousands of parts I have seen the robot momentarily loose it's memory and crack a part. Or something move out of position due to a fastener failing. Our process included video cameras to detect these kinds of failures, and in some cases, after our sintering process to bond the material, 100% magnaflux testing. Every car in the world has Powdered metal parts in them to the tune of about 40% or more. Connecting rods in almost all cars produced are made through the powdered metal process, and are proven stronger than conventionally produced rods. Failures do occur, Very few, but still... After all of that little history lesson, my personal opinion is, I will never buy an aluminum hitch to tow my 5th.
 

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