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AWCHIEF · 06-29-2013, 07:35 AM

Bruce, one thing you don't have to worry about are your brackets slipping. Very solid looking weld job.

HowieE · 06-29-2013, 08:19 AM

I have been off camping lately. I was talking to one Airstreamer that owns 5 Airstreams. I showed him the Andersen. He thought for a minute and then realized he only needed to buy 5 sets of the brackets to completely outfit his fleet with the Andersen hitching system.

Think about that for a second. Pull up to a given trailer, slip the chains through the brackets, and you are good to go.

If he presets each trailer and recorded the thread count for chain tension for each trailer he can be hooked up in no time.

There is just no end to the advantages of this system.

polarlyse · 06-29-2013, 08:37 AM

Apparently I got my AH right about the time they modified the brackets and changed the angle to be better suited to the AS use. I got the earlier edition which are straight. I have not yet welded the brackets to fix them to the frame. I was wondering if I should obtain a set of the later version before I do that ???? I wonder if they would graciously supply me with the new version ???? Any idea what they would cost ?????

Howie, where are your travels taking you lately ??? We're staying close to home this summer. Next week we're off to upstate NY and Rhode Island. Later in Aug. off to Maine, Vt and again upstate NY.
Enjoy your travels. See ya on the road sometime.

Boy, that sure didn't take long.

Bruce H. · 06-29-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarlyse

Any idea what they (brackets) would cost ?????

I paid $89 for the 3 - 4" brackets, which included shipping.

Bruce

polarlyse · 06-29-2013, 10:41 AM

Thanks Bruce. I will need to look into that

HowieE · 06-29-2013, 11:21 AM

I am going to get in touch with Andersen and see if they will supply a smaller version for this guy.

AWCHIEF · 06-29-2013, 11:31 AM

LOL: They custom made the brackets for my Bambi II and it is not much larger.

HowieE · 06-29-2013, 12:20 PM

I did give some thought to a PP but it would have weighed 3,000 time as much as the mailbox. I could not see that as a working alternative, but then again I should wait till all the comments are in.

SteveSueMac · 06-29-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

I did give some thought to a PP but it would have weighed 3,000 time as much as the mailbox. I could not see that as a working alternative, but then again I should wait till all the comments are in.

Wouldn't your mailbox be the perfect application for the Lego ProPride? :-)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v2otJAgYiTo

Rich of SCal · 07-07-2013, 05:20 PM

OK, I am finally ready to tackle the coupler replacement issue. After reviewing several posts on this thread and other places I decided to go with the Quickbite. So I have ordered one. Apparently quickbite no longer has a website, but I was able to locate the 2 5/16" version on Tweety's website.

My understanding from a couple of posts is that the best way to add it is to weld it OVER the old Atwood plate after cutting off the ball area at the front. If I were to strip off the old plate I would need spacing strips to line everything up correctly. I would love to hear from anyone who has successfully done it this way.Thanks

p.s. my next door neighbor is a welder and volunteered his services. How great it that!

HowieE · 07-07-2013, 06:45 PM

Post 1396 and after will give you my experience with the quickbit.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...92131-100.html

it is important that you keep the top plate of the old Atwood to align the jack and hold the frame while working.

Rich of SCal · 07-07-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

Post 1396 and after will give you my experience with the quickbit.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...92131-100.html

it is important that you keep the top plate of the old Atwood to align the jack and hold the frame while working.

Thanks Howie! That's what I was looking for. I did do a search and read dozens of post at both ends, but just didn't come to it. This thread needs it's own table of contents. lol.

Those pics and comments will help me and my neighbor immensely.

Now that I have accepted the fact that I have to change the coupler I am looking forward to trying out the quick bite. It comes with the 2 guide rods. I used to use the tennis ball on a car antenna method. Currently I use a cheap wireless camera, but this looks way better. BTW I usually hitch up alone, and prefer it that way.

SteveH · 07-10-2013, 02:53 PM

Been gone for a few weeks (I'm so sure you have all missed me

), and I see lots of new posts on the Andersen hitch.

Too bad it seems nothing has changed and the Airstream coupler still won't work with the hitch, the brackets are still slipping if not welded, and it still won't transfer weight adequate for a big trailer.

Wonder if Andersen will redesign in the near future because I still like the idea of the hitch, just wish it would do what it's supposed to do.

HowieE · 07-10-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Too bad it seems nothing has changed and the Airstream coupler still won't work with the hitch, the brackets are still slipping if not welded, and it still won't transfer weight adequate for a big trailer.
.

Yes Steve your absence was noticed. During that time no one was misrepresenting the facts quite as well as you do.

Yes there is an ongoing problem with the Atwood coupler. That is not a problem with the hitch. While it would be nice to have all new products full compatable with all older ones that is not always the case. Progress often requires some modifications or replacement of older systems. I trust you remember the 8 track and the fact that it will not play on an I Pod.

Brackets are subject to slippage, but easily secured by several methods other than welding. A second set screw at the top of the brackets or bolts through the brackets each work. None of this would be necessary if Andersen increased the tilt angle of the brackets and they were installed with the bolts preloaded against the frame before marking the location of the set screw.

I must restate that my 34 ft 8,900 lbs trailer is working very well with the Andersen. Something that you may have missed
or refuse to accept.

By the way I just ordered my second Andersen for my daughter's trailer.

SteveH · 07-10-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

I must restate that my 34 ft 8,900 lbs trailer is working very well with the Andersen. Something that you may have missed
or refuse to accept.

Howie,

No one here doubts you like the hitch as much as you push it, but we do doubt that it actually transfers the tongue weight as it should.

Really, why would we believe it does for you when it doesn't for anyone else with a large heavy trailer?

AWCHIEF · 07-10-2013, 06:02 PM

It might be time that we all just agree to disagree.

SteveSueMac · 07-10-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

It might be time that we all just agree to disagree.

I can get behind that. :-D

n2916s · 07-10-2013, 09:37 PM

Just can't let it go, can you Steve?

It is getting really, really old...

I plan on replacing my aging Straight Line with the Anderson this winter after changing out my rather tired Atwood. I have a 4 ton, 31' Sovereign and I do not have the slightest doubt it will work just fine for me.

Why not get a PP tattoo and start a new thread all about the wonders of that miracle product...

Mike

dkottum · 07-10-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Been gone for a few weeks (I'm so sure you have all missed me

), and I see lots of new posts on the Andersen hitch.

Too bad it seems nothing has changed and the Airstream coupler still won't work with the hitch, the brackets are still slipping if not welded, and it still won't transfer weight adequate for a big trailer.

Wonder if Andersen will redesign in the near future because I still like the idea of the hitch, just wish it would do what it's supposed to do.

No Steve, not much has changed; the hitch still doesn't work, another user got rid of it (because it broke the latch and uncoupled from his trailer), and a few ardent supporters still verbally attack anyone who questions it.

It would be good for Andersen to redesign the hitch to work out it's many problems, although they are so intrinsic in its nature I wonder if it would ever be suitable for a large trailer.

The "works for me attitude" would also be true of the great towing characteristics of an Airstream with no w.d. hitch, and some who do have reported similar results.

doug k

SteveH · 07-11-2013, 06:22 AM

Yes, it seems it has gotten so bad here now that the "supporters" of the hitch have nothing else to do now than to attack anyone who has any question of it's greatness. Yes, that would be me, and I am an owner of an Andersen, and a user.

There is no perfect hitch at this time that I know of, and not even the ProPride is without issues. I say "that I know of" because I have not tried them all. I actually wish I could try an Equalizer, and some of the others, but it's just not practical. This is the reason I bought my Andersen, this and the fact that I was intrigued by it's revolutionary design.

Maybe we could set up a network on this forum to trade hitches around so everyone could share their hitch and that way everyone could get to try every brand out there while not having to actually go and buy one of every hitch. Lots of logistical problems with this idea, but it could be made to work.

However, I feel sort of sorry for those that blindly get on the bandwagon of a product just because they like the idea of it while closing their eyes to it's faults and limitations which are evident all around them.