Andersen fifth wheel hitch

[JBurg]

$$$napOn

[Cummins12V98]

I was lucky to find two Proto torque wrenches on CL for dirt cheap from a guy that used them on one project.. One up to 100# and the other up to 250.

[m3gene]

I like the idea of not having rails in my truck. Can someone tell me what is involved with installing a ball on the floor of my truck so I can secure the Anderson hitch to the ball? Also, with that type of set up, is it relatively easy to remove the ball so the bed is completely free of obstructions? I am new to the 5er world, and have just purchased a 40' Solitude and Ford F350. The last piece of the puzzle is a hitch.

[C130]

A friend of mine was going to buy the Anderson for his new F450 but ended up just swapping out his pin box to the Reese Goosebox. Only thing in his bed is the gooseneck ball and the Goosebox has shock absorption also. Its a nice setup for sure and if I didn't have my Hensley TS3 I'd consider it I think.

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by m3gene

I like the idea of not having rails in my truck. Can someone tell me what is involved with installing a ball on the floor of my truck so I can secure the Anderson hitch to the ball? Also, with that type of set up, is it relatively easy to remove the ball so the bed is completely free of obstructions? I am new to the 5er world, and have just purchased a 40' Solitude and Ford F350. The last piece of the puzzle is a hitch.

I use the B&W Turnover Ball. Turnoverball? - Gooseneck Hitch | Gooseneck Hitches | THE B&W ADVANTAGE. To remove the ball from the bed you just turn it over, hence the name. There is a lever accessed by way of the left rear wheel well. Pull to release the ball, go to the bed and turn it over, go back to the wheel well and let the lever spring back into position. Now you have a perfectly flat bed. I have a RAM so the installation was dippy simple as RAM is factory made for the B&W adapter. I don't have a clue about installation in a Ford, but there are thousands of Fords with the Andersen. It can't be much of a problem. I would just let the B&W dealer or a shop do the installation.

[Fsufreak]

Originally Posted by m3gene

I like the idea of not having rails in my truck. Can someone tell me what is involved with installing a ball on the floor of my truck so I can secure the Anderson hitch to the ball? Also, with that type of set up, is it relatively easy to remove the ball so the bed is completely free of obstructions? I am new to the 5er world, and have just purchased a 40' Solitude and Ford F350. The last piece of the puzzle is a hitch.

What year truck,most newer 350s come from the factory with the gooseneck plate already installed,look under the bed liner or over the top of the rear tires in between the bed and the frame

[shane772]

Originally Posted by C130

A friend of mine was going to buy the Anderson for his new F450 but ended up just swapping out his pin box to the Reese Goosebox. Only thing in his bed is the gooseneck ball and the Goosebox has shock absorption also. Its a nice setup for sure and if I didn't have my Hensley TS3 I'd consider it I think.

I considered the Goosebox too. Decided against it because if I ever need towed it limits me to goose ball only. Goosebox seems like a great setup though.

[Ford 250]

I installed a B&W gooseneck hitch on my 2013 F250 without a lot of effort. I use the Anderson hitch. Have not had any problems.

[EagleFixer]

Originally Posted by m3gene

I like the idea of not having rails in my truck. Can someone tell me what is involved with installing a ball on the floor of my truck so I can secure the Anderson hitch to the ball? Also, with that type of set up, is it relatively easy to remove the ball so the bed is completely free of obstructions? I am new to the 5er world, and have just purchased a 40' Solitude and Ford F350. The last piece of the puzzle is a hitch.

What rskean said. You'll need a gooseneck ball to attach the Andersen to. Our TV is a '14 Ram 2500 and dealership installed a B&W Turnoverball. Simple to use: extend and lock the lever, flip the hitch ball, reset the handle. That's it. They did have to cut three holes in my truck bed though. One for the ball itself and two smaller ones for safety chain attachments. I just bought/received the Andersen safety chains for the Ultimate hitch from Amazon. As soon as it warms up around here I'll install them.

[Ford 250]

Originally Posted by Mr_Fixit

The Andersen hitch is not a goose neck. It uses the pin, just puts an adapter on it, not an extension like a true goose neck adapter. The ball it attaches to is at the same height as a tradition fiver hitch, so I don't believe there is any added stress. it just couples differently. The light weight has my attention.

I am not at all enthusiastic about true goose necks for this reason. I don't believe the structure supporting the pin box is as stout as it is on horse trailers for example and I believe putting a goose neck on it causes increased stress. What I see is an increase in stress cracks in siewall at the front edge of the bedroom slide (based on my own observations with a limited sample size). I think if you call the manufacturer, they will say using a goose neck voids their warranty (at least that is what I have been told). So my two cents on that issue.

Steve

The Anderson hitch will not void the warranty - per dealer when I bought a new 5 er.
Some of the straight adapters will void the warranty. Check will dealer/installer before doing it.
Love mine; easy to remove from truck bed, light wt. Allows me to use entire truck bed when needed.

[hbillsmith]

I have one and like it.

[EagleFixer]

Hooked up the Andersen using a Kobalt torque wrench and everything was solid! No chucking or clunking of any kind. Granted I only towed around town but with the Harbor Freight torque wrench the hitch was chucking/clunking on the same route.

[shane772]

This should make it a bit more interesting . . . ISR Series SuperLite 20K | PullRite Hitches
Guess Andersen must have been on to something.

[1960C182]

Originally Posted by EagleFixer

Hooked up the Andersen using a Kobalt torque wrench and everything was solid! No chucking or clunking of any kind. Granted I only towed around town but with the Harbor Freight torque wrench the hitch was chucking/clunking on the same route.

Might have been mentioned all ready ,torque setting on top tension nut is now 60 lbs up from 50.