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05-15-2013, 08:25 AM
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#1821
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Smaller, lighter, and cheaper to do this:
On the road with a camper bike. - YouTube
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-15-2013, 08:31 AM
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#1822
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,148
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a number if years ago, the VW tow was featured, I believe, in Popular Science or Mechanics.
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05-15-2013, 09:30 AM
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#1823
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Harlingen
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
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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.
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05-15-2013, 10:01 AM
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#1824
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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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.
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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
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05-15-2013, 10:09 AM
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#1825
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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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
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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%.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-15-2013, 10:53 AM
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#1826
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Harlingen
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
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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)
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05-15-2013, 01:29 PM
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#1827
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,376
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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.
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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?
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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05-15-2013, 01:32 PM
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#1828
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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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?
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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.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-15-2013, 02:44 PM
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#1829
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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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.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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05-15-2013, 03:04 PM
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#1830
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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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?
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-15-2013, 03:48 PM
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#1831
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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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.
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05-15-2013, 04:28 PM
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#1832
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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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.
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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.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-15-2013, 04:40 PM
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#1833
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Harlingen
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
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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.
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05-15-2013, 05:53 PM
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#1834
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Photos of contact points on ball, Andersen and Atwood coupler
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.
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05-15-2013, 06:05 PM
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#1835
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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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.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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05-15-2013, 06:25 PM
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#1836
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' International
Corsicana
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 70
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88010 Ok so far
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
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05-15-2013, 06:40 PM
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#1837
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4 Rivet Member
2009 27' FB International
LA LA Land...
, California
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 290
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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
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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.
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05-15-2013, 07:04 PM
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#1838
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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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"?
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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.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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05-15-2013, 07:55 PM
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#1839
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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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.
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Many here, myself included, would not agree with you on that statement.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-15-2013, 08:03 PM
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#1840
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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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.
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