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Old 08-23-2015, 02:12 PM   #1
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Andersen No Sway WDH and Jayco 26BH/Ram 1500

Just wondering if anyone is running this configuration and if they have any pros/cons?

I am looking at the Andersen for weight (about 40 lbs lighter than Equalizer) and cost savings. What I have seen in other forums, is the Andersen seems to struggle with heavier tongue weights (ie. >800 lbs) but my 26BH should never be that high.
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Old 08-23-2015, 08:55 PM   #2
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If you watch what you store in the front you should be fine. #800 tongue weight is pretty substantial for that trailer. I can't speak to the Andersen as I use an equa-l-izer 4 point hitch and it has been amazing. I pull a 32BHDS with it and have had no issues.
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Old 08-23-2015, 09:20 PM   #3
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Hi Tommy,

Yes, I have the Andersen and love it. Used it first on our KZ Jaj and then moved it to the new Jayco. Here is a thread with pics of the trailer sand close ups of the Andersen:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...ome-25967.html

Great hitch; get to the campsite, unhitch and drop the chains. No bars to store, no weights to lift and you can back up without having to remove anything.

Be sure to go to Andersen's website and watch the video!

https://www.andersenhitches.com/Cata...ion-hitch.aspx

Murff
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Old 08-25-2015, 11:28 AM   #4
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If we tow with full fresh water on our 26BH, we can get to 1,000# of tongue weight easily. Personally, I would look at a heavier WDH setup. 800# will be at the limit and you may not get the towing experience you like. I have never used an Anderson so you may be fine.
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Old 08-25-2015, 11:44 AM   #5
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The Andersen hitch is rated for 14,000 pounds.

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Old 08-25-2015, 11:59 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Murff View Post
The Andersen hitch is rated for 14,000 pounds.

Murff
Rating and real-world are two different things. There have been many (Andersen themselves even) that have said the WD part of the hitch does not work as well once the TW gets heavy (> 800-1,000#).
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Old 08-25-2015, 12:04 PM   #7
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Understood, Jason.

Have you real experience with the Andersen hitch?

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Old 08-25-2015, 12:26 PM   #8
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I don't, but I believe everything I read on the Internet!

I was researching because I needed to upgrade from my 1200# Equal-i-zer, and Andersen was one of the hitches I was looking into. Someone on one of the big RV forums posted that Andersen admitted via email that their WD doesn't work so well once tongue weight gets past a certain point (don't remember the exact wording).
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Old 08-25-2015, 02:35 PM   #9
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I have ordered the Andersen and will post on my experience with it in a couple of months after we have a few miles under our belts.

I had seen the comments in other forums about the Andersen not doing the weight distribution so well at higher weights - figured that the 2016 26BH has a maximum GVWR of 7000# and a dry hitch weight of 475# so in reality, I should be no worse than 800# on the tongue.

There were enough positive comments across several forums that convinced me to give it a go...and the negative comments seemed to be from those using the bar systems, or who knew someone that used it and didn't like it (didn't seem to be alot of first-hand dislikes).

What sold me on it was the dead weight of the hitch set-up of 50-60 lbs vs 100+ lbs for Equalizer, no noise, no bars, no need to grease it, price, and ability to easily adjust the tension depending on load.

We got the word yesterday that our factory ordered 26BH had arrived at the dealership so will probably pick it up in a couple of weeks - it wasn't supposed to be off the line until tomorrow so early is good.
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Old 08-25-2015, 03:27 PM   #10
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Great news! And good luck with the hitch. I almost pulled the trigger on it, but I got the Blue Ox instead (still no exposed grease, but there are bars and a heavy hitch head, but I'm sure it can handle my heavy tongue weight).
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Old 08-25-2015, 11:23 PM   #11
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Not sure if this is helpful, but our trailer is 5500# loaded with a tongue of around 770. Probably higher with both propane tanks topped up. We have the Andersen and it seems to work well with our truck and trailer. I couldn't say it's silent though. We get some creaking noises from it while driving.
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Old 08-26-2015, 06:40 PM   #12
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I pull a 26BHS with my Sierra 1500 crew cab using an Andersen hitch. I can't tighten the chains enough to noticeably lift the back of my truck, but I like how it tows. I'm about level when I'm ready to leave. I don't carry fresh water and I've not had the rig to a CAT scale. I've never towed anything else other than a 600 lb boat, so I don't have much to compare it with. It is quiet, clean, requires no adjustment when backing, stores easily and understand that it is lighter than alternatives (but it still heavy in my book!) Under some conditions, I've felt the rig surging. This seemed to be reduced when I inflated my tires from the psi in the door post to the max psi on the tires. I tow in flat Florida at about 65 mph.
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Old 08-26-2015, 07:47 PM   #13
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Andersen has been making some adjustments in an effort to improve the weight-distributing portion of their set-up for the heavier tongue weights (>750-800lb). I recently ordered a spare bushing to have on hand for a longer trip we have coming up next month. They sent me one that was 1" shorter and noticeably stiffer than what came with my hitch. When I called them about it they told me the newer hitches all come with the updated bushing and that I can use it in conjunction with the older, softer bushings.

For reference - when you get the new hitch measure the red bushings - the newer ones are 2" long while the older ones are 3" long. Hopefully you got the newer ones. I'm fine with the older softer ones as my tongue weight doesn't get much above 450lb - easily get 100% FALR. I do like the way it tows - have put about a thousand miles with it so far this summer and another 2500 miles coming up next month.
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Old 08-28-2015, 06:43 PM   #14
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Thanks for the tip on the shorter bushings. Mine are red and I'm pretty sure they are 3 inches. I'll check and ask Andersen for a pair of the shorter ones.
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Old 08-30-2015, 09:09 PM   #15
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I'm running the same sort of rig, a Tundra 1/2 ton and 27bh but older. BTW, great choice of TT, its good for family, you don't have to re-arrange stuff to put kids to bed and simple but effective and pretty light.

FYI, I have ordered and received WDH from Amazon and its the typical design, but the price is amazing and comes with sway control stuff too, although I've not had issues with that. Cost is only $227! Many very good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o07_s01

I'm fixing to look at it tomorrow or the next day if you are curious I can post back. If you watch how you pack, I've used my TT a fair bit w/o WDH and just trailer brake setup, it tows like a dream really (radial tires). I've only noticed porposing over dips in the road. Looking forward to trying the new WDH soon.
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Old 08-30-2015, 09:24 PM   #16
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I've debated the Andersen, but still waiting. I like the concept, and I want one, but I do have a heavy tongue weight. I want lighter. I'm tired of the heavy hitch assembly, the bars etc, and due to 2 hernias already, I gotta be more careful. I've even sketched out a jack and dolly thing to remove it from the truck where I never have to lift it. Just haven't built it yet. We've done this for years, but I'm always looking for easier, lighter etc. We've had the typical Eazlift chain set up, Equalizer, Husky Centerline, and they all work fine. I just want it lighter. Anybody running one with a heavier tongue load, closer to the 1200 mark?
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Old 09-02-2015, 09:28 AM   #17
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I been towing my 2014 26bh elite trailer for a year and half with my half ton ford F150. Using Husky. Never had a problem! Enjoy! I wonder how many have 26bh. I love mine. I travel solo.
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Old 09-02-2015, 11:18 AM   #18
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I have used an Anderson hitch for about half a season (6 trips) before buying a Blue Ox. We pull a 28BHS with 800-900lbs tongue weight. Used it with a long wheelbase 157" F150 and our current 156" wheelbase F250. I did not like the Anderson hitch.

It did not transfer enough weight back to the front axle. Not enough mechanical advantage when used on long wheelbase vehicles.

It rides very stiff. As if the hitch were almost rigid.

I did not like hitching and unhitching with it. I find my Blue Ox much easier and faster to hitch and unhitch.

I really wanted to like the Anderson hitch as I thought the idea and the engineering were brilliant. I read all the good and bad reviews and still wanted to try it. I think it probably has a place among smaller trailers and smaller (short wheelbase, suv) tow vehicles but not on 26+ foot trailers and crew cab pickups.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...-sc-28214.html
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Old 09-14-2015, 06:08 PM   #19
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We finally were able to pick up our new 26BH (yellow sticker showed a weight from factory at 4975#).

I installed the Andersen hitch myself right at the dealer - took under an hour after measuring twice and making adjustments to the brackets. The first time I installed the brackets and started torquing up the bushings, I ran out of room on the socket. So I moved the brackets back an inch and was able to get the 1/4 inch compression with about 6 threads showing.

We made our break in trip straight from the dealer. We went about 50 miles down the road on 60 mph highway and I was very comfortable with it both passing and being passed by commercial trucks. I have not towed with other WDH's so don't have a comparison, but I did not sense much/any movement from the trailer. There was minimal wind.

We did have a bit of fun unhitching as the hitch lever didn't want to let go of the ball but eventually got it. We stayed two nights, then moved another 50 miles on secondary roads. No issues hitching or towing with the Andersen at 55 mph.

We made our trip home (about 150 miles) with a bit of a breeze - again, no real sense of any sway from the wind or larger trucks. All in all, pretty happy with the Andersen.

And we are very happy with the trailer. Had no issues on the initial trip and we had the full gamut over the 6 nights - air conditioner needed for the first couple of days (hot and humid) and furnace for the last couple of nights (cold and rainy). All systems worked as expected and the fit and finish seemed just fine.
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