The Andersen WD Hitch User Thread

[ttbikes]

This may of been covered in previous pages but I was reading another thread that was addressing towing in the rain with a WD device. Some people were recommending that friction based WD systems should be loosened when towing in the rain. One poster included the Anderson WD in the group of friction based systems so I decided to ask Anderson. Their response is below.

Excellent question about using our WD device in the rain. It is recommend that you leave our hitch fully engaged while towing in wet conditions with our Weight Distribution Hitch. The hitch works flawless in rain or sun. I would not use it for towing on icy roads though.

On Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 6:48 AM, <ttbikes> wrote:

I have a Anderson and I am wondering if it needs to be loosened when towing in the rain. I have read that some friction type WD devices recommend that you do.

I do not even drive in icy conditions let alone tow but it sounds like we are go to go in the rain.

[polarlyse]

Loosening the Anderson would only affect the weight distribution effect and I wouldn't advise doing that. It would have no effect on the sway control afforded in the AH. I have driven quite a bit in wet conditions and found absolutely no feeling of any potential loss of control. These conditions have been over warm weather highway conditions at higher speeds as well as lower speed during cold and developing ice conditions.

[TG Twinkie]

The only way to reduce the sway control on the Andersen is to reduce the tongue weight. Since it is a tapered assembly. Reducing the tongue weight would not be a good idea since it has an effect on handling in general.
If you were to disconnect the chains, thus removing the weight distribution you would release the sway control function because the ball would no longer turn with the trailer.
I have driven in heavy rain as well as snow and slushy roads and have had no problems with handling.

[dkottum]

This is a (another) problem with Andersen, the friction resists moving to the side but also resists returning to straight line when turning or correcting steering on the highway, as when a large truck passes. You can't release the friction. This is a greater problem with Andersen because of its limited ability to transfer weight to the front axle, allowing lightened steering.

We experienced that condition last year with Andersen while on the interstate near Chicago, cold heavy mist, heavy truck traffic, so pulled of the road for the night. Very uncomfortable.

doug

[TG Twinkie]

All anti sway devices restrict movements in both directions. The conventional "slide bar" type cause real over steering problems when driving on curved roads. The over steering problems occur when going into and out of a curve. Because you have to steer hard enough to overcome the friction of the anti sway device.
A body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay at motion. Comes to mind.

[polarlyse]

Let us not forget " For every action there is an equal and opposite re-action ". Another one of those funky laws of physics that I could never recall when I needed to recall it.

[HowieE]

Back when I had to remembering the Laws of Physics, for a test, I would write them on the palm of my hand. When I got to thermodynamics the hands just weren't big enough so just had to learn them.

The problem I am having now is to remember my trailer is behind me. Unlike a few that seam to have had a problem with the Andersen I have to keep looking in the mirror to see if the trailer is still back there. Without the sway, porpoising, and noise one can easily forget it's there.

Oh and keep in mind if you are driving on ice, snow or just a wet road you DO NOT DO CORRECTIVE STEERING to get out of a skid. That will amplify the problem. Hold steady on the wheel, accelerate, and apply the manual trailer brake.

My last trip on snow was from Winnipeg to the turn north for Calgary. I turned south at that point because the road was closed north bound and than headed into a real snow storm for Missoula. At one point we had to stop for 45 min. because of a white out. After helping to dig out an 18 wheeler stuck on a flat parking lot from blown in snow we were back on the road. A fun filled 3 days.

That was with a Reese system but I would have much more faith in doing it with an Andersen. But then again that is what makes horse racing, a difference of opinion.

[Airtandem]

Hey guys; after 165 pages and 2287 posts isn't the horse dead? Moderator??

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

Hey guys; after 165 pages and 2287 posts isn't the horse dead? Moderator??

Why would one take that position? There are several hundred thousand post here on Airstream trailers, many repeating old topics, there are ten thousands on Goodyear tires and there are thousands of posts on any number of other topics. Should any or all of those posts be closed or removed? If one is no longer interested in this topic one can unsubscribe from the thread. But to ask that it be closed or removed would deprive the posting of new information and new comes from the history represented here.

[idroba]

There is a huge resource of information here on this thread. There is no reason whatsoever for it to be discontinued. If someone is not interested in it, don't read it. There are a lot of threads which I ignore, but this one is of interest to me, as an Andersen user.

BTW, I just got back from another pleasant 1000 miles of Andersen towing. I continue to feel it is a very good hitch, easy to use, and lightweight, and excellent to tow with.

[Airtandem]

Ok page 24 post 335; is where I ordered my Andersen. I read all the posts to that point and continued to read almost all posts since then. There has been alot of very useful information; from chain length, ball wear, anti-sway, weight distributation and installation. I am still learning, but how many times do we hear the same thing over and over?
Yes, GYM is another thread that has taken alot of hits, and now there is several threads on the same subject.
"The right to carry" was another thread that was repeated, but it got shut down???

[Rendrag]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

Hey guys; after 165 pages and 2287 posts isn't the horse dead? Moderator??

I agree with the others, nobody makes us follow any particular thread and there might be new information forthcoming. This thread has trended toward reports from actual users who have some real information (mostly good) to share. Apparently, the non-users are beginning to realize that the Andersen hitch performs well for a lot of us. We are down to only one who feels like he has to repeat his disappointment over and over and over. I look forward to reading about both the good and the bad experiences from other users.

[ttbikes]

Originally Posted by Rendrag

I agree with the others, nobody makes us follow any particular thread and there might be new information forthcoming. This thread has trended toward reports from actual users who have some real information (mostly good) to share. Apparently, the non-users are beginning to realize that the Andersen hitch performs well for a lot of us. We are down to only one who feels like he has to repeat his disappointment over and over and over. I look forward to reading about both the good and the bad experiences from other users.

I agree Rendrag.

[polarlyse]

What he said x2

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Rendrag

I agree with the others, nobody makes us follow any particular thread and there might be new information forthcoming. This thread has trended toward reports from actual users who have some real information (mostly good) to share. Apparently, the non-users are beginning to realize that the Andersen hitch performs well for a lot of us. We are down to only one who feels like he has to repeat his disappointment over and over and over. I look forward to reading about both the good and the bad experiences from other users.

Personally I don't think your statements are true, Rendrag.

I have observed post after post stating the same things on here about how people have just towed another 1000 or so miles, and they still like the hitch. Sort of redundant, but no one makes a comment.

However, if someone states one negative thing about the Andersen, no mater if they are an Andersen hitch owner/user, or not, there are many on here that jump on that poster like a duck on a June bug.

You are "down to only one" who will say anything but positive statements about the Andersen, in spite of all it's shortcomings because of this.

[HowieE]

Lets bring this up to date.

The Andersen hitch is a new approach to an old problem. Like any new approach there will be issues that are recognized as advancement and those that are recognized as shortfalls when compared to the older approaches. Given that fact each individual has to compare the advantages presented by the new approach and against any advantages they may have with the older approach. It comes down to a list of Pros and Cons. Generally one will make their decision based on such a list.

Those posting here that are satisfied with the Andersen comment on the improved sway control, reduction of noise, lack of porpoising, ease of hitching, simplicity, and reduced cost.

There were initial issues regarding the angle of the chains when installed on some tongue widths. That issue was addressed and corrected by Andersen. There was a suggestion I made that a limiting system be included at the bottom of the ball shaft to keep it from popping out while lifting the rig. I believe that has been addressed.

Those posting here with dissatisfaction with the hitch generally relate to a limitation of the type of tow vehicle that it can be used with. That being when using a lightly sprung TV the hitch can not transfer enough weight to the front axle of the TV to return the original steering geometry. That is a valid comment and those towing with a lightly sprung TV and heaver tongue weighted trailer should consider that before buying.

There will always be a difference of opinions on any subject. That is not justification to limited or discontinued the discussion.

As I stated at the beginning of this thread I did not see how this hitch could work. It took me a day to get my head around it and then go back and buy one. I posted this tread for those who might also have that initial reaction. It appears that the majority of those that have considered the Andersen and have bought and used it have come to the same conclusion I did. It works by offers significant improvements in operation, improves handling, and cost far less them most other WD hitches.

[xrvr]

Obviously you have not read the entire thread. Jim

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

Obviously you have not read the entire thread. Jim

You are right I may not have. If I missed something please advise.

[OrangeKid]

We have now towed our 2013 Airstream 3,000 miles with the Anderson Hitch and a 2013 Lexus GX 460 TV. We are also using a DirecLink brake controller. We had the dealer replace the original coupler with a Quickbite 7700XT coupler. The Quickbite installation was very professional and it looks as if it was factory installed.

Our previous towing experience includes a 2007 23' Airstream towed with a 2006 Toyota Sequoia with a Equalizer hitch with 1000lb spring bars. That tow combo had a Prodigy brake controller and was towed 30,000 miles all over the west including two trips to Alaska. Prior to our Airstreams we had a 2002 TrailManor 2619 towed by a 1999 Ford Explorer with the Prodigy. That combo was towed throughout the SW for around 30,000 miles.

We have taken two one month trips out of Portland with the new Airstream. The first trip was a shakedown cruise and was to the SW Oregon coast where we had to travel south on I5 and cross the Coast Range. On our way north we came up Highway 1 before crossing the coast range back to Portland. Our second trip was to Yellowstone National Park. That required taking I90E and I84W and crossing several major passes. On the interstates we kept it at 65 mph up and down the grades. Inside Yellowstone we pulled the trailer around the whole Grand Loop road.

Our impressions using the Anderson Hitch are excellent. Towing stability is very high. Crosswinds and passing trucks on interstates were not a problem and the whole rig is very quiet. With our previous combo with the Equalizer we lost interior rivets frequently from the front of the trailer. No rivets have been lost to date. Hitching and unhitching is faster and easier on the Anderson. And not having to grease the ball is great. With the rear camera on the Lexus hitching up by one person is a snap. We are very happy with the Anderson.

We did have some issues. The first is that there was some interference between the Anderson Hitch and the Quickbite coupler. Upon return from our first trip we had the Airstream Adventures of Portland grind off some of the front inside corner of the Anderson rack. The are no more clearance issues but it is close. We may ask the Airstream Adventures to grind off some more.

The second issue occurred in the beginning of our shakedown trip after towing 500 miles from Portland to Brookings, OR. We were unable to remove the pin by hand even after loosening the chains. We used a mallet to pound it out and a pair of pliers to pull it out. The pin was very tight and we were worried about reinserting and removing it several more times on our 1 month trip.

We called Anderson and were told that in manufacturing the hitch some paint sometimes got inside the hole the pin is inserted and makes inserting and removing the pin difficult. We were told to file out any paint inside the hole, which in our hitch was on the triangle plate, and that would resolve my issue. The local hardware store had some round files and we removed any paint inside the hole. The problem was solved and we have not had any more issues inserting or removing the pin.

Our only other issue is minor. Hitching up an an angle is more difficult that hitching up straight. With the Equalizer hitching up at an angle was the same as hitching up straight.

We find we have to loosen the nuts to get the chain loose enough for easy insertion and removal of the pin and triangle plate. Lifting the trailer with the jack is not enough. Our rig is level and stable with around 6 threads showing on each screw.

[Rendrag]

Thanks for the report. Good information about the pin/paint problem, as a couple of others mentioned a problem in that area.

"......the whole rig is very quiet."

That is the first thing I noticed. It is almost eerie, as one waits for the usual squeaks and clatter.