Which hitch is best??

[Eaglehead]

With all the choices in hitches I chose the Anderson which is rated more than most if not all in hitch pin weight and towing capacity and can be bought for $500.00. My question is why would anyone pay upwards of $2,000.00 for a setup that is heavier and harder to deal with? The Andersen has much less pieces to wear out and deal with as well.

 

[Hootie]

Anderson is a nice hitch. Depends on what your towing I believe. Weight of trailer, pin weight. How much of a envelope of safety you want.( being On high end of weight limit of hitch or in middle range or where ever that person is comfortable with. For me my 385 maxs out at 19500 or so. I feel more comfortable with not always on high side when I max out the trailer. I got a Husky 26k. Got it for $750.00. I do not leave it in truck 24/7. It is heavy but price I pay for my comfort zone. But I have a tractor and use it to pull in and out. I do not man handle stuff like that anymore. Guess got wiser to a degree.
Hootie

 

[Bamaman]

I like the Anderson Hitch, too. But I leave my fifth wheel in a storage lot that moves the trailers in and out. They're not setup to handle anything but standard pin's. Anderson has that adapter fitted to the pin.

Only problem with the Anderson Hitch is that it's more difficult to line up the trailer to the hitch--back and forth, left and right. You almost need a television camera in the truck bed to line you up.

I went with the B&W Patriot 16K hitch. It's very reasonably priced and of top quality.

 

[KZ]

We understand that some people may not like or understand the Anderson Hitch. But with the pulling capacity of 24K and the pin capacity at 4500. It will more than handle any Grand Design 5th. The excellent ability to "hitch up" from any direction and amazing articulation sold me.

 

[Eaglehead]

We understand that some people may not like or understand the Anderson Hitch. But with the pulling capacity of 24K and the pin capacity at 4500. It will more than handle any Grand Design 5th. The excellent ability to "hitch up" from any direction and amazing articulation sold me.

DITTO and the cheap price too!

 

[Hootie]

The rail version is rated to 20,000 lbs. With 4500 pin weight And gooseneck version is rated to 24,000lbs. With 6500 pin weight. No gooseneck set up no 24,000 lbs available. People buy what they feel comfortable with or what they want in a hitch. So I would have to say the best hitch is what each one wants in a hitch and has a peace of mind in towing. bottom line is enjoying and not worrying about the hitch .Hootie

 

[webpilot]

With all the choices in hitches I chose the Anderson which is rated more than most if not all in hitch pin weight and towing capacity and can be bought for $500.00.

Did you get the rail mounted hitch or the gooseneck ball hitch?

Thanks,
George

 

[boingram]

...i have the andersen with b and w turnover ball....love it with my 369...saves a lot of weight for increased payload. ..less expensive. ...35 pounds to pull it out...rated for way more capacity than i need. ...quiet.. no chucking. ..breeze to hook up.... whatz not to love. ..bo

 

[webpilot]

Thanks! Sounds like a good setup.

Thanks,
George

 

[dirtclod-MGRV]

We have the Andersen Aluminum Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection, weighs 35 # takes 5minutes to put in and take out, and
when its out , still can use B&W turnover ball for gooseneck livestock and flat bed trailers, works for us!!

 

[CloseToRetirement]

We have the Aluminum Ultimate as well. I agree with dirtclod, it's simple and easy with the coverage of pin and weight for our Solitude 369RL. I have the puck system with a gooseneck ball in my F350 and it's completely silent loaded and unloaded. It will likely stay in the truck for the camping season (unless I need to haul a load of rock).

 

[RamGunner]

We went with a B&W Companion RVK3600 (http://www.ramgunner.com/rvk3600.html) which drops into the pucks in our 2014 Ram 3500. 25,000 lbs tow and 6250 lbs pin weight, so it doesn't limit the truck. We can hitch up to any 5th wheel in any situation and go without needing to install or remove adapters. It comes out in two parts which leaves us a flat bed, and there are ways to move the heavier base without needing to lift it if you want (http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html).

In addition, it doesn't cause issues with the Lippert frame warranty. If you use the Andersen it will void the frame warranty - I have that straight from Lippert on 18-December-2014.

If Andersen comes out with a pin box with their interface in it, and gets it accepted by trailer and frame manufacturers, then I'd be willing to look at them.

 

[boingram]

..The district mgr for gd states no problem w lippert warranty with andersen..

 

[Paul & Deb]

In addition, it doesn't cause issues with the Lippert frame warranty. If you use the Andersen it will void the frame warranty - I have that straight from Lippert on 18-December-2014.

.

This was posted 08-26-14 in the Tech Corner.

This is to follow up on my prior post... The Andersen "Ultimate" fifth wheel hitch is now approved by Lippert Components, Inc. (LCI).

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[RamGunner]

Janice and all,

I looked into the issue for another forum when the Andersen hitch came up, and I contacted Media Relations for Lippert. After going through several departments at Lippert, the statement they gave me on 18-December-2014 was verbatim as follows...

"LIPPERT is not endorsing the Anderson ultimate hitch any longer and not giving warranty support. "

Since that is dated after your information, and it states "any longer", then it appears that something changed.

ETA - I just sent them a request for any updates, but the last information I have is dated later than yours.

 

[Bamaman]

I've got the smaller B&W Patriot, and their products are top notch in quality and workmanship. You're not suffering sticking with their products.

The Anderson's also a good hitch, but it appears a little harder to hook up. You've got to be right on the money up and back, right and left to get the hitch over the elevated ball. It almost takes a television camera/monitor to hook it up, as my spotter and I (my wife) have a difficult time with verbal communication when hooking up trailers.

 

[concreteman]

I use the Andeson hitch also. I use a truck with a pickup bed and one with a flat bed. All you have to do is use the extension tube for the flat bed. Its very handy to use in two diffrent trucks.

 

[RamGunner]

Janice and all,

I looked into the issue for another forum when the Andersen hitch came up, and I contacted Media Relations for Lippert. After going through several departments at Lippert, the statement they gave me on 18-December-2014 was verbatim as follows...

"LIPPERT is not endorsing the Anderson ultimate hitch any longer and not giving warranty support. "

Since that is dated after your information, and it states "any longer", then it appears that something changed.

ETA - I just sent them a request for any updates, but the last information I have is dated later than yours.

I just got a note back from Lippert, and they confirmed that this is correct.

 

[dirtclod-MGRV]

Which way is it? Yes they do support it or no they don't support it? Hello GD? Will call Anderson this morning and hear there side of story?

 

[pauliwalnutz]

The Anderson looks interesting but is it usable with short bed trucks? Looks to me like there is a chance of hitting the cab.