Andersen WD Hitch - Does this alternative design perform as advertised?
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- Long term review of the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch. Pros and cons of this alternative design to standard spring bar hitches.
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I’ve been running the Andersen hitch on our 2014 Tundra Crewmax for 3 years now pulling our Cougar 22RBS. Absolutely no issues with it and I agree with EVERYTHING you said in this video. I added a leaf to the pack and blue Sumo springs. Truck and trailer both run level now even with all our crap in the bed and the trailer full and heavy. This hitch is superb for anti-sway and porpoising isn’t an issue either. Love it!!
Greetings! Great to hear experience from a fellow Tundra owner. Sounds like a great setup! I went with the RAS spring upgrade and overall happy, it has its pros & cons like anything. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Nice setup! Beautiful Tundra!
Thanks so much!
I wonder if the biggest issues is your maxed out on payload. Obviously this hitch would never transfer as much weight as bars, but that can be a good thing. Some people over do it with bars and then you hit a dip in the road and add even more. I've seen people crack the frame of their trailers. Regardless great well thought out review.
Indeed, the Airstream with the options this one has is a bit tongue heavy, but the combo tows wonderfully. I agree, you don't want to overdo it on the weight distribution, though the Andersen is rated for a notably more than I have in both tongue weight and total trailer weight. I have it dialed in to an acceptable level now and it has other benefits I mentioned. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Great review. Thanks. I have both the Anderson and the equalizer. The equalizer is my favorite but it is so heavy! The Anderson is handy and easy but I do not like how it attaches and marks up my frame around the frame brackets.
Thanks. Yes, positive and negative aspects across all designs. Thanks for watching!
Steven consider WeighSafe or Camco TR3; if your decide to change it out. From my experience and towing over 100 TT’s it’s about Weight Distribution; the sway on most WDH system is a bit hoky; A true Sway Control is the Pro-Ride but not a fan. I feel the Anderson is awesome for smaller / lighter trailers. Great overview thanks.
Greetings. Thank you for the suggestion, the TR3 is for sure on my list. I hear WeighSafe is also a great option but leaning toward the TR3, being silent since the hitch head rotates with the trailer, also a somewhat of more integrated approach to sway control with the adjusting sleeve. Until then, the Anderson will hopefully suffice. Thanks for watching and the recommendation!
It appears that the hitch adjustment has been maxed out. You should consider moving the brackets attached to the trailer frame back. Proper adjustment of this WD system should have the front wheel well sitting level with or lower than the rear fender well.
Greetings! I can tighten it more where it sits, the poly bushing compresses more w no change in weight distribution. I have also tested with shortened chains using a removal link to test, essentially the same as moving the bracket back, no difference. The hitch does some WD, it's just limited compared to competitive offerings, but it has other advantages with overall weight, sway control, and noise. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have been using the Andersen WDH for ten years. I tow a 25’ travel trailer with a Ram 1500 pickup truck. For years, the rear end of the truck was sagging until i installed a set of Timbren bump stops. It no longer sags and it tows much nicer. I highly recommend that you seriously instal a pair of Timbrens to improve the performance of the Andersen WDH.
I have it about dialed now between the Andersen WDH and RAS HD kit. I'd recommend the RAS over the Timbren, but guessing your RAM is equipped with coil spring rear suspension vs the Tundra having a more traditional leaf spring setup. In either case, there is still the need to supplement the Andersen with increased spring rate on the tow vehicle. Other designs do transfer more weight than the Andersen, but the Andersen has other advantages. Thanks for watching!
I agree that I put a set of timbrens on and the truck with the trl rides completely different
Nic truck! On the lift on it what size is it in terms of the lift you got on the front and rear?
Front is set at 2.5" on the Elka coilovers. Rear is 1" Maxtrac shackles, plus the RAS (Road Active Suspension) set at 25% which adds probably around another .5" or so, = 1.5" total lift in the back. Unloaded it now sits about 1" higher in the back. Stock it was about 2" higher in the back unloaded. Link to suspension video: ruclips.net/video/2-5r4nGoFzU/видео.html Thanks for watching!
Are you lifting the weight of the camper off the rear of the truck, once you apply the ball coupler, prior to adding the Andersen chains? That will/should allow for proper weight distribution adjustment, once you apply the weight back down onto the rear of the truck. We use the Andersen on our current travel trailer and love it. Also, did you ever make it to the CAT scales with that truck and trailer? My wife and I are planning on purchasing a 27FB, but with that advertised tongue weight, I'm hesitant purchasing a 1/2 ton. How are your payload numbers once you are fully loaded? Thanks in advance and glad to see this set-up seems to be working for you.
Greetings. Yes, couple the trailer, lift truck and trailer, tighten the chains. I’ve been to the cat scales on many occasions while dialing in the hitch. It does transfer weight, but it’s limited compared to more traditional designs. For the 27fb tow vehicle, I would recommend a 3/4 ton for the payload capacity. Thanks for watching!
@@MakeItRad Awesome!! Thanks for responding.
@spacecoastadventures we towed our 2018 27FB over 30,000 miles with the Andersen WD hitch and a 1/2 ton GMC with a max tow package. 1850 pounds of payload capacity, 860 pounds of tongue weight. We traveled with a full fresh water tank to lower the trailers center of gravity and carried the majority of our gear in the Airstream over the axles in 4 stackable totes and never came close to vehicle or trailer weight limits. Truck bed carried a tonneau cover, tool bag and a Weber grill. Strategically locating your gear and proper installation of the hitch will allow for maximum WD while maintaining sway control.
Just watched this video along with your walk through. Very thorough and well done. We recently sold our 30' Flying Cloud and have ordered a 25 FBT Trade Wind. I agree with you about the Anderson and not being great about WD. I have always used Blue Ox Sway Pro. Some people don't like the bars and chains but once you find the right "link" you are set. Mine was 9 links and I recovered about 75% back to the front end. Quiet, easy to use and you can back up without taking the bars off. Question for you, Once the trailer is on the tongue, what kind of payload do you have remaining? The tongue weight is part of payload so I was curious. I have an F-250 and it has almost 3,000 pounds of payload but when we looked at F-150's and Tundras, they had about 1,200 pounds so when you have a trailer with 700 pounds of TW that only leaves 500 pounds for people, fuel, and everything in the truck bed.
You're on the right track. The payload is the weakest link, as the Tundra pulls and stops the with the Airstream no problem. Really it rides with no issue as well, I have the RAS installed and Elka suspension so that handles the weight. But from a door sticker payload perspective, its right at the limit loaded up with people and the camper. I just load more gear into the airstream as a workaround on the truck payload.
@@MakeItRad That makes sense and I am happy to hear you are at least looking at the sticker. Most people have no idea what I'm talking about. We lived in our trailer FT during COVID (what a great way to see the country) and needed all the payload I could get. I too am a Cat Scales groupie, I have weighed several times and save what I can the long haul/short haul configurations so I will know how we are loaded. I am a retired USAF aviator (Airborne Communications) and weight and balance was a huge deal for us, as well as securing cargo. It got drilled into our heads and I keep it going. We are in NW TN, what part of the country are you guys in? Cheers, BL
Yes, Cat scales on almost every trip to make sure we have the weight dialed in. We are over in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon area. Thanks again for watching and the comments!
I have this hitch with a similar sized trailer and a one ton truck. It doesn't distribute enough weight, but my needs are minimal, considering the truck. This is probably not a great solution for a half ton truck. Also, in four months of continual use, I've had to replace both polyurethane bushings and I have replacement hardware for the nuts and bolts, as they also wear. That cost about $250, making this hitch not a cheap option in the long run.
Greetings. Thanks for the feedback. I agree, it is limited in the weight distribution. I solved the low rear end problem mostly by adding the RAS system, though would prefer more weight "distributed" to the front axle. No issues with the poly or bolts but I will keep an eye on them. Thanks for watching!
sometimes one side is looser then the other, so i have one side nut in by 7 loop while the other is 6. Do you have that issue? I have a short driveway, so i cannot park straight but more on bent which I leaves the triangle closer on one side. Can you do a video of how you fix this issue as you mention in this video? thanks
Greetings. With both sides tightened the same (same number of chain links on each side + same number of threads on the bolt) the triangle should be perpendicular. If it is angled, check the spacing on your frame brackets, make sure each is the same measurement from ball to the bracket.
As for straightening the triangle, I hook it up, pull it back perpendicular with the long side chain, once it rotates, I then tighten both sides as normal. Good idea on the video, I know its much easier shown than described. Thanks for watching!
I have the same issue. And it doesn’t distribute the weight.
Add sumo springs, will not change ride when empty but will keep more level at load.
Thanks for the suggestion. I considered the sumo springs as well as airbags, but settled on the RAS HD kit and am quite happy with it so far. Thanks for watching!
How do you have your RAS set up? 25 or 40%
Greetings, The RAS is set right at a touch over 25%. Thanks for watching!
I run this hitch with my 2019 tundra and a GD 26’ Trailer. Love the hitch except having to keep it lined up when disconnecting
Greetings. Glad to hear it is working well for you. I think I have it dialed in enough now that I'll continue to use it, I like that it is light weight, has the friction sway, and is pretty easy to connect up. Like you mentioned, hooking up at an angle can be a challenge, but I always have to loosen the poly springs on mine each time, so I just use the chains to pull the triangle back in line each time.
@@MakeItRad Never thought of using the chains to align the yoke and ball. Need to try that. You added the trans cooler. How much of a change in temp did you see?
Aligning w the chains works pretty well as long as you have enough slack or aren't at too much of an angle. The cooler is an essential upgrade IMO, it holds the pan temp right around 200. If you haven't already, see my towing video where I cover the trans temp and OBD app: ruclips.net/video/3Uu9aGXMQDo/видео.html
How much of a change did you see with the transmission cooler?
Its been a while since the install and was one of the first upgrades before lift and tires, but IIRC it runs about 20-30 degrees cooler on the daily drive / around town duties. It has a thermostat and lets the pan get up to operating temp (around 200) and holds it there within a few degrees both loaded/towing and unloaded. I believe I installed the cooler around the 500-600 mile mark when new.
@@MakeItRad ok cool. Did you buy the kit? Or piece it all together?
@@steve4658 Kit form, you can purchase an updated version of my kit on this site: genuinecoolingsystems.com/
@@MakeItRad Thanks for the info. For some reason they are out of stock lol. Maybe everyone is buying them. Lol
Appreciate the information
How about using airbags that might help you with the SAG
Good suggestion. I looked at airbags but settled on the Roadmaster RAS system. Same idea basically, and those are installed in this video already. Everything is sitting pretty well now, though the Andersen still falls a little short on the weight distribution. I would have less of a need for the RAS or Airbags with a traditional style bar hitch. However, I am happy with the Andersen for now for its other qualities (Ease of use, Lightweight, and good anti-sway). Thanks for watching.
Is that trailer too big for that hitch?
Greetings! Good question, the Andersen model we are using is the 3350 with a 14k tow rating and 1,400 Lb tongue weight rating. The GVWR of the airstream is 7600 with about 1,000 Lb tongue weight, so we are well within the advertised ratings. Thanks for watching and commenting!
where is it made?
Greetings! Good question and I should have mentioned in the video. These are made in the USA, Idaho Falls ID. You can read more here: andersenhitches.com/about/ Thanks for watching and commenting!
Not surprised the truck is not changing much with your “upgrade suspension”. The only important thing is the weight that was transferred to your front wheels. A 1/4 in is likely a hundred or more pounds.
If you are concerned about any of your negatives, go to a scale and see for yourself what is actually happening.
Greetings. Thanks for the comments, I have been to the scales many times and have it pretty dialed in now, I'd say as good as it gets with the Andersen. My guess is I could probably get more weight distribution out of a bar style hitch, but the truck is handling it well and the Airstream is pulling level when loaded. Thanks for watching.
The coils you have are not proper for what you’re doing if you sag 2”. Without doing research for a Toyota I’m sure they have better progressive coil. In the meantime put air bags inside your springs. They work awesome because you can add whatever lbs you feel comfortable with. I run 10 lbs unloaded and 40 lbs loaded and pulling. Truck rides and pulls amazing. Sits level and I have the Anderson as well. The 10 lbs does nothing except keeps air in the bag. On the road for three months and pulling the Rocky Mountains through to Alaska and no issues with the hitch and ride setup I have. Good review though.
Greetings, I considered air bags. I ended up going with the RAS HD kit. It helps but doesn't have the precise control you have with airbags. It has coils, but not in the traditional sense, its more of a leaf helper coil spring. Thanks for watching.
I went from The equalizer to the way safe middleweight
I have heard good things about the middleweight weigh safe. I hope it works well for you! Thanks for commenting!
Looks like *everything* is being bent because its too tight.
I compress the spring to 1 3/4" at static height, never more. Plenty of room to compress it more, like I mention in the video, the weight distribution performance doesn't really change with continued compression of the spring, at least with my setup. Thanks for watching!
First, OWNER OF TUNDRAS all my life. Great City Driver and Lifetime truck. NOT, and I mean NOT a logical choice for towing RV’s. USMC/USAF Ret. Anderson hitches Rock…
The Tundra tows the airstream beautifully, its actually a great combo. The Andersen is a good hitch, good sway control, but limited on its weight distribution capability. Thank you for your service and for watching!
Ive owned 5 Tundras...Gen 1 and Gen 2, 4.7L, 4.6L, and 5.7L enginges. Towed with all of them, 4 separate travel trailers ranging in weight from 4400lbs to 6400lbs, 24ft to 32 ft. Never had a problem pulling with any of them. Installed a Road Active Suspension on one of my Tundras, and getting ready to install a second RAS on my newest 2019. They work well. Just finished installing an aftermarket trans cooler on this same 2019. Will haul my 6400lb TT on a cross-country trip through the Rockies in August, so its definately going to get tested. Me personally, I wouldnt try to tow anything heavier than 7000lbs with a Tundra. I think thats probably its practical limit, with emphasis on "practical."
Had one and upgraded to a Hensley
This hitch works good for sway control unless it’s windy. Worthless. With the Hensley I now have zero sway.
With this hitch even a pickup truck passing would knock me around. Very dissatisfied with this product.
Greetings. I hear the Hensley is the best on the market with the price to match. After much dialing in, I am happy with the Anderson for now given its other qualities such as simplicity and weight. Sway has not been a problem at all in my experience. Overall, the hitch did require much more time and effort to get right. Thanks for watching!
Does not work as advertised! Chains constantly loosen no matter what you do. Waste of $500.00.
Greetings thanks for the comment. I'm surprised to hear about the chains loosening on your setup, have you reached out to Andersen support? That would be a frustrating issue for sure. Fortunately mine stays right where I put it.
I run 9 trucks with large 10k dump trailers in my gravel buisness....Instead of using the set screw we welded the bracket to the frame....and no more chain looseness etc.
I have full faith in these units..
Great to hear these are working well for you! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for this! I'm curious, what is the weight of the Airstream (when loaded)? Approximately.
Greetings, Its around 7k loaded on a lighter trip, little more on a longer. Hope the video was helpful. Thanks for watching!
@@MakeItRad I asked about the trailer weight because I hear that this hitch works well with the weight distribution up to 7k, better below it. So this hitch really shines for trailers around 5,500 lbs. For 7k or above, not so much.
Makes sense. Per Andersen its rated for 14k trailer and 1.4k tongue weight. I'm running about half that in trailer weight, but the tongue weight is up there near 1k. Overall there are better options for just the Weight Distribution component, but as I mentioned in the video, the Andersen has other positives. I have it pretty dialed now and likely will keep using it.
You can see the weight ratings on the Andersen sight here: andersenhitches.com/product/weight-distribution-hitch/
I'm planning to do a follow-up next year, please subscribe for that notification. Cheers!
B&W wants $1300 for their weight distribution hitch. I don't think so!!!
It is pricey for sure. It also doesn't fit the airstream well as there isn't the required space between the propane tanks and the tongue jack. I've seen people add spacers to make it work, but not sure its the best solution. Thanks for watching and commenting.