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HowieE · 05-30-2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

UP to the unloaded weight, or something is really rong with that hitch.

Bob

This may be part of the problem, some can't tell up from down. The front end should return Down to close to the unloaded height or up to close to the unloaded weight.

SteveSueMac · 05-30-2013, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

This may be part of the problem, some can't tell up from down. The front end should return Down to close to the unloaded height or up to close to the unloaded weight.

Maybe Bob was talking about the rear end? Benefit of the doubt? :Wally:

dznf0g · 05-30-2013, 07:30 PM

He's talking about the front weight number being UP (higher number) which results in lowered front height. He knows up from down.....

AWCHIEF · 05-30-2013, 07:32 PM

Lots of good material for a stand-up comedy act here lately.

dkottum · 05-30-2013, 07:53 PM

Indeed, the biggest joke is on us who bought this device on the misbelief they had actually tested it before they put it on the market.

doug k

SteveSueMac · 05-30-2013, 07:57 PM

Guy walks in to an Airstream dealer...

AWCHIEF · 05-30-2013, 09:16 PM

An informed consumer is a happy consumer. And sometimes one has to get over his personal problems and move on.

msmcv51 · 05-30-2013, 11:33 PM

Ok, so I stated it wrong, The front of the truck came DOWN to the unloaded height.
The scale weight of my trailer loaded to travel is 6020 lbs. Of course that includes 60 lbs. of propane and two batteries and a storage bin that holds maybe 10 lbs. of tools just behind the propane bottles.

SteveSueMac · 05-31-2013, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msmcv51

Ok, so I stated it wrong, The front of the truck came DOWN to the unloaded height.
The scale weight of my trailer loaded to travel is 6020 lbs. Of course that includes 60 lbs. of propane and two batteries and a storage bin that holds maybe 10 lbs. of tools just behind the propane bottles.

You were fine - your post made it clear about the front coming down.

You mention scale weight - were you able to see how much weight was restored to the front axle? Thanks!

ROBERT CROSS · 05-31-2013, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Lots of good material for a stand-up comedy act here lately.

Or we could all toe up to weightless C-a-n-a-d-eh.

Bob

msmcv51 · 05-31-2013, 02:42 PM

Pickup trucks are made to carry a load so it seems to me that when the front of the truck is brought back down to unloaded height and the rear of the truck is a little lower than the unloaded height and the trailer is level than I have a good setup. If I have to turn this into rocket science than that will take all the fun out of the Airstream experience for me. I am just a retired natural gas company worker how has spent 40 years in the field trying to make the office engineer's ideas work.

SteveH · 05-31-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msmcv51

Pickup trucks are made to carry a load so it seems to me that when the front of the truck is brought back down to unloaded height and the rear of the truck is a little lower than the unloaded height and the trailer is level than I have a good setup. If I have to turn this into rocket science than that will take all the fun out of the Airstream experience for me. I am just a retired natural gas company worker how has spent 40 years in the field trying to make the office engineer's ideas work.

I think most people here will agree with that setup being good. At least, that is how I setup my hitches with a pickup.

ROBERT CROSS · 05-31-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msmcv51

Pickup trucks are made to carry a load so it seems to me that when the front of the truck is brought back down to unloaded height and the rear of the truck is a little lower than the unloaded height and the trailer is level than I have a good setup. If I have to turn this into rocket science than that will take all the fun out of the Airstream experience for me. I am just a retired natural gas company worker how has spent 40 years in the field trying to make the office engineer's ideas work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I think most people here will agree with that setup being good. At least, that is how I setup my hitches with a pickup.

^^
X3

Works for our Burb.

If not sure or load changes...a trip to the CAT's

Bob

SteveSueMac · 05-31-2013, 05:35 PM

Yup. What they said. Just curious as you mentioned scales. Enjoy and safe travels!

ROBERT CROSS · 05-31-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Yup. What they said. Just curious as you mentioned scales. Enjoy and safe travels!

Scales aren't really important unless your interested in knowing if you've overloaded your axles, tires, receiver... you know those pesky little tings.

But yes... it can be set up without knowing any of that.

Sweet Streams

Bob

SteveSueMac · 05-31-2013, 07:07 PM

Bob - I had to go a few times just to see for myself. I won't lie - first time, I ticked off the lady running the scales cause I had no idea what I was doing and then Ron Gratz ACCURATELY guessed my personal weight based on the data I posted here :-) but I'm glad to know for my setup how it works. Now I just tinker around a bit based on those first few runs. But I think the process of returning the front fenders to their original height is a great starting place and close enough for jazz.....

Airtandem · 05-31-2013, 08:53 PM

Steve and all; this is how I also set up my trailer /TV .
Comments on "hitch wear" Andersen ball has wear on back towards trailer, some chain wear, but most trouble with the shackels coming unthreaded at wing and chain receiver moving; I haven't welded or bolted them.
I still have my Equlizer, so I checked it. The ball has most wear on the front, towards TV, and some on the shank towards the trailer. I also had trouble withe the stabilizer brackets moving. Yes, I tried Gene's (?) method with the tubing n the bolts. At one time the bracket moved enough that the Equ. bar came off the rest. I also used this hitch on my AS 30 ft. and I believe that it caused the crack in the body at the battery boxes. I had 1K bars. I will say that the hitch performed as advertised fro sway and etc.
Which do/did I like best; The Andersen because of weight. Installation on both was about the same.

msmcv51 · 06-01-2013, 03:47 AM

From my own experience of using the Andersen with a pickup truck and reading about other peoples experience of the Andersen with SUVs and sedans, that the Andersen may be better suited for use with pickup trucks and full sized vans because they are built to haul weight. If most SUVs and most sedans built with four wheel independent suspension to give a softer car like ride, they may be better off to use a Hensley or Pro Pride.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-01-2013, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Bob - I had to go a few times just to see for myself. I won't lie - first time, I ticked off the lady running the scales cause I had no idea what I was doing and then Ron Gratz ACCURATELY guessed my personal weight based on the data I posted here :-) but I'm glad to know for my setup how it works. Now I just tinker around a bit based on those first few runs. But I think the process of returning the front fenders to their original height is a great starting place and close enough for jazz.....

I used measurements the first time towing the Classic, got us within 100lbs on the steering axle, the system does work well if done carefully.
I've PO'd several CAT ladies also, when I feel it's needed I try to stop late at night if the scales are well lit.

Thing is with us, if its a "trip" and we're not dock'n the loading is much different. After 10yrs with the Classic I can usually get the WD set to avoid the white knuckles, but the scale just eases my anal brain.

Bob

Rendrag · 06-06-2013, 05:58 AM

In preparation for a 4,000 mile trip through New England and back, I hitched up my trailer yesterday for a forty mile test run. I have only towed a couple thousand miles with my Andersen hitch setup this Spring. I still can't believe how easy it is to install, how quiet it is, how it totally stops porpoising, and improves the ride of my pickup. Interstate trucks did not even make the trailer shudder as they passed. I do have to put a sticker on my dash to remind me that my combination is now fifty feet long. I realize the Andersen is not for everyone, but for those of us with the right equipment, it is terrific. My trailer is only 6,000 pounds, my pickup is a long bed 2500. Great combination for towing.