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Old 08-30-2016, 04:11 PM   #1
PerryB
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Anderson WD hitch

Does anyone have experience with this hitch? We're thinking about getting a new travel trailer ( a big one, almost 38' - 11,000 gvw - advertised tongue wt. 1150) and was wondering how the elastomer springs hold up. Also about the longevity of the friction sleeve. It sure looks nice from the standpoint of easy hitching / unhitching. Thanks.
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:02 PM   #2
theeyres
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I have the hitch and love it. We don't have near your weight but nothing has shown any wear at all in a couple years and two different trailers. It is so much easier hooking and unhooking than our Equal-i-zer was. I use an electric jack and by raising it up fairly high I don't even need to use the wrench and can do it all by hand. The website says it can handle your trailer.

14,000 lbs GTWR 2-5/16" ball, 10,000 lbs GTWR 2" ball when using 2" rack • 1,400 lbs tongue weight
16,000 lbs GTWR 2-5/16" ball, 10,000 lbs GTWR 2" ball when using 2-1/2" rack • 1,600 lbs tongue weight

It tows great and I have no sucking from semi's going by.
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:53 PM   #3
PerryB
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Thanks. Coincidentally the Equalizer was the other hitch I was considering. If we do buy this new trailer, I think I'm going with the Anderson. I'm kind of bucking the trend here, as we will be going from a 5th to a conventional.
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Old 08-31-2016, 07:58 AM   #4
busterbrown
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Have you thought about a Hensley Arrrow or Propride hitch? You definitely have enough tow vehicle for that trailer. But it is on the longer side of most pull behinds at 38 feet that sway maybe your only concern.

I originally bought a mid level Blue Ox hitch that did a poor job of sway control with 30 mph crosswinds. A death defying white knuckle ride home in those conditions made me want to invest in the biggest TV I could get my hands on. Camping friends told me that a 1 ton super duty would not be a complete solution. A Hensley or Propride would be a better resolution to inherent sway of a pull behind.

Best $2000 of "discretionary RV money" I ever spent.
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Old 08-31-2016, 08:14 AM   #5
PerryB
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I've been looking at the Propride. My concerns are ground clearance, and it looks like a significant undertaking just to hook it up. My reasoning for the new trailer is being able to take my atv while camping and still have a nice trailer. Wife doesn't want a toy hauler. I'm probably going to offend some people with my next statement, but I'm about to put my foot down and say " We're getting a toy hauler". I've supported this family comfortably for 31 years, and I think I'm just going to get what I want and be done with it. We've always had 5th wheels (currently on #4) and I love the handling and ease of hitching. Ok, rant over. Ladies feel free to flame away. I probably deserve it.
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Old 08-31-2016, 08:52 AM   #6
busterbrown
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I'm sure you're already aware that these high end hitches emulate the business end of a 5th wheel hitch. So they eliminate sway, not control it. Secondly, the Hensley Arrow took about 90 minutes to install with basic tools and it increased my hitch and unhitch times by about 90 seconds over my blue ox sway control. I'm so proficient at it now that it takes about 2.5 minutes from start to finish.

I know that the Hensley designer himself left the company and redesigned it for the Propride company as the patents stayed with Hensley. I don't know if application of the Propride product is as easy as the Arrow. There are a few members on here very satisfied with their Propride though.

I can tell you that Hensley had made me as happy as a clam as I'm on the return leg (1200 miles) of a Disney vacation without sore knuckles. Plus we had a near collision with a tire at highway speeds and the Hensley kept the trailer in line with my TV during the evasive manuvuer. First time my DW soiled herself.

Btw, I lost about 1 inch of ground clearance when I installed the HA (over the Blue OX).
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Old 08-31-2016, 10:21 AM   #7
Outback 325BH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PerryB View Post
I've been looking at the Propride. My concerns are ground clearance, and it looks like a significant undertaking just to hook it up. My reasoning for the new trailer is being able to take my atv while camping and still have a nice trailer. Wife doesn't want a toy hauler. I'm probably going to offend some people with my next statement, but I'm about to put my foot down and say " We're getting a toy hauler". I've supported this family comfortably for 31 years, and I think I'm just going to get what I want and be done with it. We've always had 5th wheels (currently on #4) and I love the handling and ease of hitching. Ok, rant over. Ladies feel free to flame away. I probably deserve it.


Get a 5th wheel toy hauler.


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Old 08-31-2016, 11:02 AM   #8
PerryB
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Busterbrown, thanks for the details. I guess its easier to hook up than I expected. I have not been able to see one in person, and had envisioned a complicated process of hitching up.

Outback , when I referred to getting a toy hauler I was meaning a 5er, but in re-reading I realize I was vague. Yes, a 5th wheel TH is probably the route we're going. My wife doesn't hate them but has been lobbying for a residential type floorplan. "Sorry dear....".
Now I just have to figure out what the biggest thing is that I can comfortably pull with my truck.
Thanks to all!
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Old 08-31-2016, 11:30 AM   #9
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Everyone should get what they want no compromising.
https://www.granddesignrv.com/showro...oorplans/376th
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Old 08-31-2016, 11:51 AM   #10
PerryB
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Originally Posted by kfxgreenie View Post
Everyone should get what they want no compromising.
https://www.granddesignrv.com/showro...oorplans/376th
Actually, Grand Design is what I was looking at if we went conventional, 315 rlts. We have a dealer just over an hour away. He has the 376 toy hauler, but it only has a motorcycle garage in the rear. I'd like to be able to haul either 2 ATV's or a side by side and that trailer can't do it. Close (on the SxS) but no cigar. If it would have fit, the trailer would probably be sitting in my driveway right now. If someone was looking to travel with a motorcycle, that 376 would be ideal. Its a beautiful trailer.
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Old 08-31-2016, 06:16 PM   #11
TonyCO
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I have the Andersen No Sway and really like it. Probably about 5,000 miles on it and no concerns. The only real complaint I've seen is some guys with heavy trailers say it doesn't get enough weight to the front axle. I've been in big winds and had zero sway.
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Old 08-31-2016, 08:15 PM   #12
theeyres
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Originally Posted by PerryB View Post
Thanks. Coincidentally the Equalizer was the other hitch I was considering. If we do buy this new trailer, I think I'm going with the Anderson. I'm kind of bucking the trend here, as we will be going from a 5th to a conventional.
We full timed in a fiver and loved the space but we also bucked the trend and went back to a pull trailer after we got off the road and I don't regret it for one minute. Easier to back up, almost as easy to hook up, much lower height so I don't have to keep looking up to make sure we aren't going to hit something overhead, just as easy to tow...and the Andersen works great.
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Old 02-22-2017, 08:28 AM   #13
davemoore
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Any thoughts on this?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PerryB View Post
Does anyone have experience with this hitch? We're thinking about getting a new travel trailer ( a big one, almost 38' - 11,000 gvw - advertised tongue wt. 1150) and was wondering how the elastomer springs hold up. Also about the longevity of the friction sleeve. It sure looks nice from the standpoint of easy hitching / unhitching. Thanks.
Just wondering if you ended up picking up this system and how it works for you? Is there any argument between chain v bar in terms of strength and durability? I'm looking at this Andersen system as well, I've got a trailer with a TW of 700# and a GTW of 10,000#. Thanks!
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Old 02-26-2017, 06:16 AM   #14
PerryB
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No Dave, we haven't done anything yet. Business is down these days and I don't want to get a new trailer until I can comfortably afford to pay cash and keep the old trailer. Its going to become the sleeping quarters/bathroom /shower for our man cave out at the ranch. I got your message, thanks.
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Old 08-28-2021, 08:31 AM   #15
philbtv
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theeyers,
I have an Andersen on my 30' Cougar 279RKSWE. When unhitching, as the cap lifts off the ball, the trailer will roll one way or the other against the chocks. It seems there often is pressure on the hitch. I try to put the truck into neutral to relieve the pressure, then E brake then PARK. It still doesn't seem to take the pressure off. I don't like having the pressure being released in that manner-seems awfully hard on the equipment. Have you any experienced this or have any suggestions? Thanks Phil
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Old 08-28-2021, 10:59 AM   #16
sourdough
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theeyers,
I have an Andersen on my 30' Cougar 279RKSWE. When unhitching, as the cap lifts off the ball, the trailer will roll one way or the other against the chocks. It seems there often is pressure on the hitch. I try to put the truck into neutral to relieve the pressure, then E brake then PARK. It still doesn't seem to take the pressure off. I don't like having the pressure being released in that manner-seems awfully hard on the equipment. Have you any experienced this or have any suggestions? Thanks Phil

You might start a new thread with your questions/concerns. The last time theeyers was on the forum was almost 3 years ago....
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Old 08-28-2021, 05:40 PM   #17
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Thanks SD! I could have sworn the date was from earlier this year. I guess retirement is really taking hold.
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Old 08-28-2021, 08:09 PM   #18
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Thanks SD! I could have sworn the date was from earlier this year. I guess retirement is really taking hold.
Hold On! It just gets better!
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Old 09-17-2021, 05:14 PM   #19
jd800
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Andersen Equalizer and Sway Control

Very Satisfied with my Andersen hitch. I have used the set up for about 15,000 miles over 4 seasons including a trip from SE Michigan to the Florida panhandle and back. I like the fact the setup is much lighter than the bar type. Very easy to store when not in use.

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Old 09-19-2021, 01:25 PM   #20
philbtv
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Thanks Joe!
I love the lightweight design and having a clean bed too! Glad to hear it is working well for you.
Phil
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