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HowieE · 03-22-2013, 03:55 PM

dmand001

Thanks for posting these comments from Andersen.

I would added one word of caution to anyone replacing the coupler. Make sure you position the new coupler using the jack as an alignment tool with the lower jack brace. This sounds simple and will be if the old coupler is cut off and the frame cleaned to allow the new coupler to fit far enough back on the frame to line up properly.

Now those with questions have a direction and economical solution to using the Andersen.

I am still satisfied I took the early leap and installed a QuickBite on my larger trailer.

dkottum · 03-22-2013, 05:05 PM

I'm assuming this is the 88000 series coupler that Andersen says not to use. Not sure, there are no markings on it. Does anyone know for sure?

Have been considering a Quickbite coupler, if this one is faulty, that's what I will do. I don't want to give up the excellent ride the Andersen has given us, and go back to a spring bar hitch (we still have the Equal-I-Zer).

So, which Atwood hitch is this?

dmand001 · 03-22-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I'm assuming this is the 88000 series coupler that Andersen says not to use. Not sure, there are no markings on it. Does anyone know for sure?

Have been considering a Quickbite coupler, if this one is faulty, that's what I will do. I don't want to give up the excellent ride the Andersen has given us, and go back to a spring bar hitch (we still have the Equal-I-Zer).

So, which Atwood hitch is this?

Atwood bought Marvel and the 88xxxx- series models are those w/ the lift rods notched. check this link. http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/chassis/80658.pdf

idroba · 03-22-2013, 07:37 PM

To say I am more than a bit upset and disappointed with the statement from Andersen about the the fact that the Atwood 880xxx coupler is not recommended with the Andersen hitch is an understatement.

I was one of the early users of the Andersen hitch system, you can see my posts way back in this thread. I had found my Atwood coupler on my Argosy had internal cracks and needed to be replaced, no matter what hitch I was using. I had it removed and replaced last summer with an Atwood 88007 which was the exact replacement for the original. Now Andersen is saying that those Atwood hitches are not recommended with their hitch and the only thing to do is to replace them.

I also was the first to identify the chain wear issue where it goes into the square tubes, apparently resulting in some factory modifications of how the tubes are now welded onto the supports. When I visited the Andersen factory in Idaho Falls ID last August, they had not experienced the issue and did not resolve it, I would up figuring it out on my own.

I will be sending an email to Jason (who I have met at the factory) about this and hope that they will do some resolution for us early users who apparently have done their field testing for them. I certainly am not happy about having spent about $220 on a new coupler for my trailer which is now not recommended and must be replaced again, to use the hitch safely.

I still love the hitch and feel it is a good product, but I resent being a test platform for Andersen.

dmand001 · 03-23-2013, 03:13 AM

idroba,

I share your sentiments, hopefully it works out w/Andersen for you. I suppose Andersen didn't nor could they test all the couplers and nuances of their new product as in all products. Though they did stock up on the Atwood they recommend at retail free shipping.

OrangeKid · 03-23-2013, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmand001

At this point our official position is that the Atwood 88000 series coupler is incompatible with our Weight Distribution Hitch, so the ONLY current solution we endorse is to replace the coupler. A good quality and sturdy replacement is the Atwood MPD 81911 coupler (seen below). However any coupler other than the Atwood 88000 series will work just fine.

Does anyone know what hitch coupler is installed on current 2013 Flying Cloud models. Is it the Atwood 88000 series? We want to order a new 23' Flying Cloud and have an Anderson hitch installed, but we need to know which coupler before deciding on a hitch. We have used a Equalizer hitch on our current 23' Safari, but would like to switch to Anderson if the coupler will not be an issue.

floridalarry · 03-23-2013, 11:16 AM

I had the Atwood 88010 on my 2002. There is no markings on it identify it as an Atwood 88010. Therefore look at the H4 PDF and at the bottom left is a picture of the inside of a Marvel coupler. The Marvel coupler 88010 is the same coupler as the Atwood 88010. Atwood bought Marvel. If your coupler looks like this, it is an 88010.

If you are planning on purchasing an Atwood 81911, understand the the rear width is 1/2" wider than the 88010. See H2 PDF. I have ordered a 81911 and will see if I can place it over the 88010 after cutting off the front of the 88010. If not, I will need to remove the Marvel completely and weld a 1/4" metal piece on each side of the frame and then weld the 81911 to it. This way the jack holes will line up. I send a photo of my 88010 with the fin sheared off to Andersen. I am very glade to see that they have recognized the problem. Whether if the 88010 is new or old, as Andersen has stated, do not use the Andersen WDH.

I will send photos of the install of the Atwood 81911.

OrangeKid · 03-23-2013, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridalarry

I had the Atwood 88010 on my 2002. There is no markings on it identify it as an Atwood 88010. Therefore look at the H4 PDF and at the bottom left is a picture of the inside of a Marvel coupler. The Marvel coupler 88010 is the same coupler as the Atwood 88010. Atwood bought Marvel. If your coupler looks like this, it is an 88010.

Thanks for the detailed information.

dmand001 · 03-23-2013, 11:53 AM

Larry,
Thanks for the info- looking forward to your install before I do mine.

HowieE · 03-23-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeKid

Does anyone know what hitch coupler is installed on current 2013 Flying Cloud models. Is it the Atwood 88000 series? We want to order a new 23' Flying Cloud and have an Anderson hitch installed, but we need to know which coupler before deciding on a hitch.

If you are buying new have the dealer get a quote from Airstream for installing the Coupler you want. But keep in mind even though the OEM price for the coupling is most likely the same as the stock one they use Airstream may come back with a price higher than if you just taking delivery on a stock coupler and cutting it off.

The smarter trailer manufactures will see this coming and start to off a coupler compatible with the Andersen.

OrangeKid · 03-23-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

If you are buying new have the dealer get a quote from Airstream for installing the Coupler you want. But keep in mind even though the OEM price for the coupling is most likely the same as the stock one they use Airstream may come back with a price higher than if you just taking delivery on a stock coupler and cutting it off.

Any change one requests from the factory includes an additional $500 cost in addition to the actual change. It probably would be cheaper to have the dealer replace the coupler.

HowieE · 03-23-2013, 08:37 PM

You may have noticed I did not include Airstream as one of the smart manufactures. Any company that charges $3000.00 for a wall TV mount is not going to give a reasonable price to the first requester for an engineering change.

However over time they might see the light if that request keeps coming in.
The smart company would be Atwood if they started to promote the other coupling to the industry. Thus retaining market share by insuring their coupling had universal use.

SteveH · 03-23-2013, 08:41 PM

Seems as though I read that Airstream does not build their own frames, but has a vendor do it. The vendor probably uses the cheapest coupler that meets Airstream's specs.

So, at this point in time basically, it is not safe or recommended by Andersen to use their weight distribution hitch on an Airstream without first changing the coupler. Is this correct?

AWCHIEF · 03-23-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Seems as though I read that Airstream does not build their own frames, but has a vendor do it. The vendor probably uses the cheapest coupler that meets Airstream's specs.

So, at this point in time basically, it is not safe or recommended by Andersen to use their weight distribution hitch on an Airstream without first changing the coupler. Is this correct?

Steve, I don't think that is totally correct. I would say to be careful with new trailers. Airstream has gone the way of most modern manufacturing companies. They are using the cheapest accessories that they can get away with. I would not expect them to change that for just for a few customers that are using the Andersen system. My 49 year old Airstream Marvel cast iron coupler is handling the Andersen system just fine.

polarlyse · 03-25-2013, 12:50 PM

I have been reading this thread with interest. I have recently converted to the Anderson AND my trailer seems to have the culprit coupler under discussion. My trailer is also going, later this week, for repairs. ( Damage incurred on our recent excursion south). I read about several couplers that would be an upgrade from the Atwood 880xxx series. Which of these would be the easiest replacement coupler ???? By easiest I mean requiring the least mod's other than those required to grind and remove the Atwood. If I could get one quickly enough I might have it changed over at the same time.

Thanks all,

AWCHIEF · 03-25-2013, 02:53 PM

My opinion is if the coupler you now have is working and you see no indication of a malfunction - why change it?

polarlyse · 03-25-2013, 02:59 PM

I agree Mike but was just thinking that maybe, since it was going to be in the shop anyhow, to change it. A close inspection will show if any failure is indicated. I think not. At least for awhile that is. I just hate to have something like this fail while on the road somewhere.

SteveH · 03-25-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

My opinion is if the coupler you now have is working and you see no indication of a malfunction - why change it?

"At this point our official position is that the Atwood 88000 series coupler is incompatible with our Weight Distribution Hitch, so the ONLY current solution we endorse is to replace the coupler."

If I were "polarlyse", I would not tow my Airstream with the Andersen till I did change the coupler, but that's just me. I take a manufacture's statement of the compatability of their product seriously. YMMV.

AWCHIEF · 03-25-2013, 03:19 PM

It is great to live in a country where we can openly disagree without bombs going off.

sandhill3000 · 03-25-2013, 04:55 PM

Does ANYBODY know if a 2013 19' Bambi would have an Atwood 88000 series coupler? I cannot see the markings on the coupler.

I have this trailer. I just installed the Anderson Hitch and am now wondering if I need to remove it since Anderson has said, ""At this point our official position is that the Atwood 88000 series coupler is incompatible with our Weight Distribution Hitch, so the ONLY current solution we endorse is to replace the coupler."

This deal with Anderson hitches is driving me nuts!