Community Forums

richardcoxid · 03-18-2017, 09:17 AM

I will probably be purchasing a new Short bed Extended Cab TV in the next few months and am also looking into new 5th wheel hitches.

At present the Anderson Ultimate and the PullRite SuperLite (Trailer Life, Nov, 2016 article) hitches have caught my interest. In monitoring this as well as other RV blogs, other than early production issues, almost all owners are happy with either one. One of the differences that I can see is that between the 2 brands they have reversed the positions of the "Ball" and "Funnel Shaped Cup". I.e. On the Andersen the ball is in the TV bed with the "cup" and latching device mounted upside down on the pin box and the PullRite is just the opposite, the "Ball" is mounted upside down on the pin box, and the "Cup" is mounted in the TV bed.

Is there any clear cut advantage to either way?

In my mind the Anderson overall looks to be something that was clobbered up by a engineer and a welder to prove a concept, while the SuperLite looks more "professional " and has a "finished" product look. Probably only Cosmetic!

When hitching up/disconnecting a extended cab short bed truck can you see over the back seat and see either hitch base in the rear view mirror? If not, what tricks have discovered to assist you in lining up the ball and cup?

One of my local dealers who sells both brands says that because of the 5 inch off set built into the base and the 4 inch off set in the coupler block in the Anderson that there isn't the the sharp turning interference problem between the cab/5W on short bed PU's as there is with the SuperLite. Anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance for all your thoughts and comments!

Coxid

Cummins12V98 · 03-18-2017, 10:11 AM

IMHO both are QUALITY made products. The PullRite IMHO has a realistic rating of 20K and does NOT rely on the beds corrugated metal for fore and aft support. The PullRite has different mounting options that are solid and won't cause bed deflection. Also the ball locking mechanism on the Andersen is a T handle that has to be mounted to the bottom to the RV that makes it easy to reach BUT also easy for someone to pull while at rest area or? The PullRite would be harder to do so. Not sure it PR can be locked, so far I have not seen a way to lock Andersen.

I don't know exactly what the SAEJ2638 rating PR uses to obtain the 20K rating means. But I would say they are conservative like B&W are. Andersen just recently re designed their Ultimate because when towing heavy and braking hard the Aluminum tubes would bend.

I know, I know I am bashing! So lets just let everyone have their opinion with out calling names please.

barr0208 · 03-20-2017, 12:34 PM

I have the steel version rail mount so no different than a regular fifth hitch except its 200 lbs lighter. I have a short box and with my original curt 5ver with slide in normal position I almost clear my cab on a 90. the Anderson gives me 4inches more clearance so no slide needed.

BSHGTO · 03-20-2017, 10:47 PM

I can tell some people just can`t let the old ways go, but Andersen and Pullrite`s new hitches are the wave of the future for most applications that don`t require a slider. They are just to easy to use with NONE of the hassles of the other way, NONE.

SkiSmuggs · 03-22-2017, 06:05 AM

I think the Andersen offers more flexibility in terms of adjustment which makes it a better choice for a short bed. Other than that, either is a huge improvement compared to conventional hitches.

RAM 6.7 4x4 · 03-28-2017, 11:51 AM

After what seems like days and days of researching 5w hitches, I've decided to go with the Superglide 18k. Was going to get the 16K, dealer didn't have it in stock but did have the 18K. I don't want to have to worry about tight turns and damaging both TV and 5'ver.