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SteveH · 05-15-2013, 08:25 AM

Smaller, lighter, and cheaper to do this:

On the road with a camper bike. - YouTube

Airtandem · 05-15-2013, 08:31 AM

a number if years ago, the VW tow was featured, I believe, in Popular Science or Mechanics.

Rendrag · 05-15-2013, 09:30 AM

Maybe the moderator will close this thread and someone will start one called, "The Andersen WD Hitch User Thread". It was getting a little long anyway.

dkottum · 05-15-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rendrag

Maybe the moderator will close this thread and someone will start one called, "The Andersen WD Hitch User Thread". It was getting a little long anyway.

I wonder if a dissatisfied Andersen user, who believes this hitch has some significant engineering problems, would be asked to "move on" as I was on this thread.

doug k

SteveH · 05-15-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I wonder if a dissatisfied Andersen user, who believes this hitch has some significant engineering problems, would be asked to "move on" as I was on this thread.

doug k

You too????

Even though I own an Andersen, and still use it with my Casita, I was sort of asked to leave also. Guess "they" don't want any input unless it's 100% positive, and supports "their" view 100%.

Rendrag · 05-15-2013, 10:53 AM

I don't see where anyone was told to "move on". I did see where some people thought the same person repeating the same old criticism over and over was not adding anything to the mix. I use an Andersen hitch, report on my experience, and want to learn what others are experiencing, both positive and negative. ( I go other places to learn about fifth wheel hitches for Volkswagens)

ROBERTSUNRUS · 05-15-2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rendrag

Maybe the moderator will close this thread and someone will start one called, "The Andersen WD Hitch User Thread". It was getting a little long anyway.

Hi, I got blasted for this once before; You can not eliminate posters on the grounds that they don't own a certain product. I have posted my help and/or opinions on all of the hitch threads, but I only have one brand of hitch. Maybe Andersen could start their own forum?

SteveH · 05-15-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I got blasted for this once before; You can not eliminate posters on the grounds that they don't own a certain product. I have posted my help and/or opinions on all of the hitch threads, but I only have one brand of hitch. Maybe Andersen could start their own forum?

Now there's a good idea. That way they could hear for themselves about all the coupler problems and issues with transferring enough tongue weight forward.

HowieE · 05-15-2013, 02:44 PM

Come on guys. At the beginning of the tread negitive comments with little or nothing to back them up did have an effect. But now with the increasing number of comments coming from first hand experience they just appear as sour grapes to prospective users.

SteveH · 05-15-2013, 03:04 PM

Howie,

Don't you think the requirement to replace the coupler on a trailer just to use a certain brand of hitch would be enough to sour most people's "grapes"?

Do you know of ANY other WD hitch in history where something like this is a requirement?

TG Twinkie · 05-15-2013, 03:48 PM

Why is all of the emphasis on the Andersen WD. Where is the comments about the poor design of the Atwood coupler that seems to be at the center of this issue. If a coupler can't handle upward or forward pressure without damage. Then there in lies the problem. Or at least one of them.
There are many things that are not compatible in this world. It doesn't mean either one is necessarily bad.
If the Andersen was used with a Bulldog coupler or one of similar design. This thread may not exist.

SteveH · 05-15-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Why is all of the emphasis on the Andersen WD. Where is the comments about the poor design of the Atwood coupler that seems to be at the center of this issue. If a coupler can't handle upward or forward pressure without damage. Then there in lies the problem. Or at least one of them.
There are many things that are not compatible in this world. It doesn't mean either one is necessarily bad.
If the Andersen was used with a Bulldog coupler or one of similar design. This thread may not exist.

TG,

I agree with you that the Atwood coupler is not a good one. Even with my ProPride hitch there is some amount of play, or looseness with the Atwood on the ball.

But, on the other hand, no other weight distribution system requires it's replacement per the WD hitch manufacturer.

Rendrag · 05-15-2013, 04:40 PM

Andersen did expose a weakness in a certain coupler, and a compatibility issue with their hitch, but don't we want companies to develop new products? Andersen could not have tested their hitch with every coupler built in the last sixty years. I have seen some pretty weird contraptions used to connect a trailer to a tow vehicle. The Andersen hitch may go the way of the Commodore 64, but I hope some company is working on the next iPhone or iPad.

idroba · 05-15-2013, 05:53 PM

I thought you might like to see where the pressure is applied to the ball on an Andersen and the Atwood coupler in question. This was a new Atwood, last year when I found my old one was cracked internally, prior to the installation of the Andersen.

I grease the ball lightly with white grease spray and in photos 1 and 2 you can see the darkened grease on the right and left sides of the ball and how the contact is made both on the top and at the rear. Photo 3 shows the ball from the rear, and you can see a lot of contact area. Photo 4 shows the ball from the top. These photos were taken after a 300 mile trip.

I hope these will be of some interest to some of you following the thread.

AWCHIEF · 05-15-2013, 06:05 PM

I have a simple solution for all you folks with the dreaded Atwood couplers. Find an old junked trailer with an original Marvel coupler, cut that bad boy off and replace your inferior Atwoods with apparently a superior product.
Disclaimer: For the benefit of the humor impaired this is an attempt to lighten things up a bit or it could be serious. You can decide that for yourself.

SafariBez · 05-15-2013, 06:25 PM

I just returned from a 3800 mile trip, Texas to NC and back. My TV is a 2011 F150 with Ecoboost, my TT is a Safari 25FB with the Anderson hitch. After reading this thread I monitored my shark fin closely, 2-3 times a day, and could not see any sign of wear or stress. Other than some rough patches of interstate we had a very smooth trip. I am new to RVing so cannot offer much comparison or experience but I am happy with the performance of our rig and definitely like the Anderson hitch.

SafariBez

Mike91208 · 05-15-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariBez

I just returned from a 3800 mile trip, Texas to NC and back. My TV is a 2011 F150 with Ecoboost, my TT is a Safari 25FB with the Anderson hitch. After reading this thread I monitored my shark fin closely, 2-3 times a day, and could not see any sign of wear or stress. Other than some rough patches of interstate we had a very smooth trip. I am new to RVing so cannot offer much comparison or experience but I am happy with the performance of our rig and definitely like the Anderson hitch.

SafariBez

I've got close to 10k miles on mine, with an 88010 coupler as well. No problems or unusual wear. Even if I decide to replace the coupler, I'll keep the Andersen.

HowieE · 05-15-2013, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Howie,

Don't you think the requirement to replace the coupler on a trailer just to use a certain brand of hitch would be enough to sour most people's "grapes"?

No off hand I can not site another WD hitch that has required this type of action.

Now that I have given you that I ask. Would the fact that I and many others had to swap out their tires and wheels on their Airstreams because of cheap Marathons, suffer frequent leaks on the newer models because of shoddy construction, only have a 40lbs carrying capisity on some models, because of underrated tires and axles, have clearcoat issues, or suffer frames failure because of cost cutting in design cause all of us to have sour grapes towards Airstream. Yes there are some that are soured and they have stated their case as they leave.

As for the majority the Airstream product line as a hole still remains superior to the competition. The issues to date with the Andersen in no way compare to the Airstream issues and if addressed with minimal cost provide a superior hitching system when compared to the current crop.

SteveH · 05-15-2013, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

The issues to date with the Andersen in no way compare to the Airstream issues and if addressed with minimal cost provide a superior hitching system when compared to the current crop.

Many here, myself included, would not agree with you on that statement.

kscherzi · 05-15-2013, 08:03 PM

My observation of the hitch from pros/cons from this thread.

1. Weight distribution - adequate
2. Sway control - excellent
3. Porpoising - excellent
4. Usability (hitching/weight/grease) - excellent
5. Cost - excellent
6. Compatibility - Fair. May be a longer term issue.

To me the extra $200 to replace the coupler fixes Compatibility and still leaves Cost at excellent, or at least Very Good.