Anderson WDH

[Marcm157]

I've been away from the forum and camping for an extended period due to a lengthy illness that damn near took me out of the picture. Fortunately I am back on the forum as well as ready for some camping. Problem is the illness has left me with some chronic issues and my current Equalizer hitch is a bit heavy for me to handle.

Anybody have any input on what appears to be the new Anderson version of the WDH? It's much lighter and looks easier than the Equalizer to hook and unhook. I've had great experience with the Equalizer and I'm not a fan of the chain type hitches but this looks promising.

[Midnightmoon]

What would you like to know? I've run an Andersen for 3 full towing seasons and well over 10K miles. It works great, is light weight, no grease to deal with, quiet, easy to hook up, extremely stable, and top notch customer service from Anderson.

[cbeers]

I really like my Anderson Setup. I’ve got the newest Ball and newest triangle plate. I leave my ball on my TV at all times, all I have to do is connect and disconnect, in that manner it like other WD/Sway units.
Welcome Back

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

What would you like to know? I've run an Andersen for 3 full towing seasons and well over 10K miles. It works great, is light weight, no grease to deal with, quiet, easy to hook up, extremely stable, and top notch customer service from Anderson.

Basically looking to see how it compares to the Equalizer. That's all I've ever used and I am very happy with it but don't think I can keep using it mostly due to the weight.

I'm not understanding how the Anderson transfers weight with a lateral pull on the chain as opposed to the downward force of the spring bars on the Equalizer.

[RAurand]

Knowing what trailer you have would be helpful. Andersons will not work with my 9250 pound 33 foot long trailer. I called and asked them. SO, I have the Equalizer. Love it!

[Riich]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I'm not understanding how the Anderson transfers weight with a lateral pull on the chain as opposed to the downward force of the spring bars on the Equalizer.

Me either. It has to be minimal at best.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Riich

Me either. It has to be minimal at best.

I am almost exactly at 800# tongue weight. Absolutely no issue transferring weight back to the front axle on my trucks.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by RAurand

Knowing what trailer you have would be helpful. Andersons will not work with my 9250 pound 33 foot long trailer. I called and asked them. SO, I have the Equalizer. Love it!

I have a 28BHBE about 8200 pounds loaded for camping

[LuckyDuck]

I have never used an Equalizer, but I’ve had the Andersen for two-plus years and love it. It is light enough the DW can pick it up and hitch the chains if necessary. And no grease or bars to stow. It does a good job of transferring weight and the anti-sway ability is fantastic. We’ve been through some crazy crosswinds, and the trailer, which is about 5k pounds, was rock solid.

[Murff]

The weakness of the Andersen is getting weight transferred back to the front axle on heavy trailers. It will make the TV level but not so good at weight distribution.

I had one with the Explorer Sport Trac and after running the rig over the scales, I realized that more weight should be off of the rear axle. That was the reason I sold it.

My trailer's GVWR is 5950. I am not sure how well it would work with 8200.

Murff

[cbeers]

My TT is 38’ GVWR 11250# and I’ve had no problems. We get some severe winds and I hauled in many different wind directions in the Texas Panhandle. TV is a f250.

[madmaxmutt]

I have as much sway with the fifth wheel in heavy winds as I did with the Andersen pulling the TT. Over 12K on the Andersen with an F150 and a couple thousand pulling with the F350. Loved that hitch. Quiet and easy to lift off if required. The entire shipping box was about 50 lbs and once installed it is nothing the receiver and aluminum ball housing to remove.

I would recommend the short 2" welds if you need to move more weight forward. The chains put incredible force on the brackets, and you want those brackets to sit still.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

Originally Posted by RAurand
Knowing what trailer you have would be helpful. Andersons will not work with my 9250 pound 33 foot long trailer. I called and asked them. SO, I have the Equalizer. Love it!
I have a 28BHBE about 8200 pounds loaded for camping

I have a 28BHBE about 8200 pounds loaded for camping

That is about what mine actually is as well, But, when I spoke with Anderson, I mentioned Gross weight. Better to have a little more for safety than not enough!

[jonashton]

I have a WhiteHawk 24MBH, 6K lbs unloaded, and love my Anderson hitch. One thing to watch out for when you get one, is to make sure it is the one designed to go with your coupler. My Jayco TT, and many of the Jayco trailers, use an "underslung" coupler. The standard Anderson hitch will not fit properly. You need the extended brackets, in order to correctly align the tension chain.


I have included a before and after picture of my set-up, so you can see the difference in the brackets, and their effect on the chain. With the correct brackets, the hitch works great!

[voyager]

Any one have a easy method to re-align the chain attachment plate other than the factory suggestions? I have seen some folks use a 5/8" x 2ft cheater bar to move it .

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by voyager

Any one have a easy method to re-align the chain attachment plate other than the factory suggestions? I have seen some folks use a 5/8" x 2ft cheater bar to move it .

Andersen says not to pound on it or force it. Easiest ways I know of, in order, are 1) Hook up one chain and pull ahead to straighten it out, then reconnect the other side; 2) Loosen the retaining nuts to allow enough slack to connect both, then tighten them after it is straightened.

[16WhiteColly]

That sounds like a PITA if you have to readjust the chains each time. More trouble than bars.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by 16WhiteColly

That sounds like a PITA if you have to readjust the chains each time. More trouble than bars.

You don't have to do that. The only reason it would ever occur is if you didn't back in near the angle you dropped at.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by 16WhiteColly

That sounds like a PITA if you have to readjust the chains each time. More trouble than bars.

Nope. In four years, I’ve never had to loosen the nuts to readjust the chains. One time I had to back in at an angle and did the “one-chain” maneuver to straighten the plate when I left. Easy peasy.

[RogerR]

I use a Harbor Freight 1/2 inch extendable length ratchet wrench to adjust the chains. But one way is to hook up all but the triangle plate. Move forward till the angle agrees to how you backed in and then attach the triangle plate.