The Andersen WD Hitch User Thread

[TG Twinkie]

So let me get this straight Andy. You drive down the road watching the speedometer and the wind speed indicator? Isn't that like texting?

[AWCHIEF]

A timely reason to have and use the collar: I towed a new to me used car today from Spanish Fort, Alabama on a U-Haul trailer. I had taken over a couple of different drop bars and my Andersen bar and ball. It so happened that the Andersen was the right height as it was set up to give me a level trailer. I would not have been able to use it without the collar.
The ride was uncomfortable compared to hauling my Airstream. Too bad I could not use the entire Andersen WD system to smooth things out.

[Rendrag]

Didn't aim to turn this into a weather station. I simply checked the local conditions on my NOAA weather radio to get a reading on the wind. "Smooth" may well be the best way to describe today's test run. I deliberately hauled about twenty five gallons of water sloshing around in a tank behind the rear trailer axle to see if I could induce swaying. I didn't.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

So let me get this straight Andy. You drive down the road watching the speedometer and the wind speed indicator? Isn't that like texting?

I am also a licensed pilot with over 1200 hours as pilot in command.

I was properly trained to watch all kinds of instruments as well as watch what I am doing.

Landing an aircraft requires the use of both hands, both feet, both ears, both eyes, monitoring the necessary instruments, like altitude, airspeed, flap settings, landing gear deployed, propeller settings, RPM settings, and guiding the aircraft to a smooth landing all while talking to approach control and/or the tower. When you can do all of that, then checking a speedometer and an altimeter, is a piece of cake.

Ever notice that not very many pilots get into automotive accidents?

Last I knew though, people don't stare at speedometers, but they do glance at them. I don't think that resembles texting, which should not be done when operating a motor vehicle.

A quick glance at a speedo and another quick glance at the airspeed, is all that's needed to tell what's going on.

Unfortunately, there is no school to teach folks how to properly tow a trailer.

Maybe someday.

Andy

[TG Twinkie]

Andy! I was just pulling your leg. LOL

[HowieE]

This may be a solution for the Atwood failures when using an Andersen hitch.

As you may know I cut the Atwood hitch off my trailer and installed a Quickbite coupler. I saved the head of the Atwood to try out an idea. Drill a 3/8 hole is strategically placed through the Atwood and grind a corresponding cut in the lift bar. The placement of a pin and clip will keep the pawl from lifting. Knot the depth of the cut in the lift bar to insure that even if the lift bar shears the stop off the shark fin the bar will not raise allowing a failure.

The all thread rod in the hitch is just for illustration as to the location of the hole.

Some additional investigation to see if the hole and grinding on the lift bar could be placed on the front edge of the bar. This would insure the bar could not move forward over time. This experiment was done by eye. A template to locate the holes in the hitch would make this a simple modification.

[SteveH]

I spent some time the other day at two trailer supply places here, inspecting several different brands and styles of heavy duty coupler suitable for use on larger Airstreams. The Atwood was one of them. It's a lot easier to see how they are made, how the operate, and see their strengths and weekness when they are on the shelf and you can turn them over and look.

If I were to use the Andersen with a large Airstream, I am convinced the only suitable coupler is the Bulldog.

This is my opinion, and as always, your mileage may vary.

[afneill]

I received a reply from Andersen concerning the problem I had with the hitch. Dave said that they were working on a solution and might have one worked out as early as this week. I have not heard from him since the initial communication but am very interested what their proposal will be. I would not be too surprised if it were along the lines of Howie's demo on his old Atwood coupler. Whatever their suggestion is I will be interested as I really like all other aspects of the hitch and want to make it work, albeit, safely.
I really appreciated getting a reply from Andersen as too many businesses no longer consider customer service as a part of business.
Steve, what do you consider "a large airstream"?
Thanks to all for the continuing input. To a relative newcomer, this forum is an invaluable source.

[NHdigger]

The wind does not have much to do with the pros and cons for this hitch and coupler issues.

For those concerned with wind speed you can use the Beaufort Wind Scale to come up with a good estimate.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by afneill

Steve, what do you consider "a large airstream"?
Thanks to all for the continuing input. To a relative newcomer, this forum is an invaluable source.

850 lbs tongue weight and above. I say tongue weight because that is what determines the pressure the Andersen must put on the coupler pawl.

The Bulldog coupler is the only coupler that I saw that was solid metal on the rear of the ball and without an upward sliding pawl.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by SteveH

The Bulldog coupler is the only coupler that I saw that was solid metal on the rear of the ball and without an upward sliding pawl.

I take it you have not seen a Quickbite coupler.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by HowieE

I take it you have not seen a Quickbite coupler.

When the Quickbite coupler jaws are closed around the ball, there is a void of supporting metal directly in the back of the ball, which is THE point where the Andersen applies pressure to the ball.

Not so with the Bulldog.

[HowieE]

In keeping with the be nice rule Please take another look.
The rearward contact area is as close to 100% as can be without binding on the lower part of the ball as it connects to the tapered shaft.

This results in a mark on the back of ball that is over a square in.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by HowieE

In keeping with the be nice rule Please take another look.
The rearward contact area is as close to 100% as can be without binding on the lower part of the ball as it connects to the tapered shaft.

This results in a mark on the back of ball that is over a square in.

Howie, I have been keeping with the "be nice rule", unless my saying that I would choose a Bulldog hitch over the Quickbite that you have chosen is somehow perceived by you as not being nice.

I did not say this in my previous post, but while visiting the trailer places, I asked three different trailer mechanics at the trailer shops I visited, "what is the strongest trailer coupler?" All three of them immediately said, "the Bulldog".

[SteveH]

Here's a picture of the Quickbite closed that shows the void, or gap if you will, of the jaw material in the back when the hitch is closed around the ball. This is just the point where the Andersen weight distribution hitch applies the pressure to the ball to achieve weight distribution.

[AWCHIEF]

If there was such a thing as the perfect coupler every trailer would already have it installed. They are all like any man made product a compromise and imperfect by their very nature. There will never be total agreement here on what is the best WD system, coupler, tow vehicle or even who makes the best hamburger. Whatever works for you is the best option.

[SteveH]

You are right Michael. The Bulldog is difficult to hitch, and unhitch, and that is the beauty of the Quckbite, as it apears to be the easiest of them all.

[AWCHIEF]

I will say that if my Marvel ever craps out I would strongly consider the Quickbite. I am very impressed by its apparent ease of use and safety. Looking forward to seeing how in the long term the Quickbite works out for those replacing their other couplers with it.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

If there was such a thing as the perfect coupler every trailer would already have it installed. They are all like any man made product a compromise and imperfect by their very nature. There will never be total agreement here on what is the best WD system, coupler, tow vehicle or even who makes the best hamburger. Whatever works for you is the best option.

True, another way to put it is:
"Best" is an opinion based on a specific set of circumstances (which include personal preference and personal experience).

Also any change in circumstances can change what is "best".

[HowieE]

Steve

You are correct. There is a void at the rear of the Quickbite coupler



However given that there is no possible displacement of the jaws while closed and there is no movement, other than slight pitch and yaw, the potential for ware is as close to zero as one could get.

The contact area is shown by the marks on the jaws



Marks on the ball that correspond to those on the jaws when the jaws are closed, note fresh rusting with slight yellow coloring.



Also note that the marks on both the jaws and the ball show no indication that the hitch was being forced upwards by the chain tension, the problem resulting with the Atwood pawl and the incline that positions it against the ball