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Old 10-02-2014, 10:47 AM   #21
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but would also result in a stiffer ride.

That is so true about the Andersen, it is a lot easier on the contents than a conventional w/d set up
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Old 10-02-2014, 05:23 PM   #22
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I've heard they offer the urethane material (springs) in different densities. Do you know if that's true?
Yes, but the easiest way to change stiffness is with length or diameter. Search for "urethane die springs" for listings and sources; I found an online catalog at Century Spring (only the contents were on the website, but they sent me the whole thing by e-mail).
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Old 10-02-2014, 05:25 PM   #23
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Stiffer ones would probably do the weight transfer function with fewer turns of the nuts, but would also result in a stiffer ride. I trust their choice of materials for the load.
I have not used this system, but I know I certainly would not want stiffer. The product only comes in one version, so it is not optimized for the relatively light Escapes; just like the WD designs which use steel bars as springs, it should have softer springs when used at lower levels of force.
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Old 07-06-2016, 09:43 PM   #24
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Reseat or replace?

Has anyone asked Andersen when replacement of the friction material is required instead of just reseating the cone? The FAQ video shows how to do this, but not how to tell if the friction material needs replacement. I noticed after our last trip that the liner has crept up and the cone can now turn easily by hand. I have over 26000 kms towing with it. I will give them a call tomorrow, but not sure that I will get a replacement shipped to Canada any time soon with the pending postal lockout, and also some reports on this forum of problems shipping to Canada.
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Old 07-06-2016, 11:31 PM   #25
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I received my replacement cone ( now black rather than red) inside of a week of emailing the company. Then our issues began. The new cone does not allow the pin to seat down far enough to replace the snap ring. Banging on it is not the answer. Neither is using a press to push the pin down. So our last 2000km we left the chains hooked to the hitch which resulted in a lot of dirt and grime on the chain nut threads but since the chain plate effectively keeps the ball pin in the hitch is the only solution. Am trying to establish contact with Andersen about this problem, but I suspect the new cone is a slight sizing difference from the old cone. Has anyone else been stymied by the "simplicity" of the cone replacement?" Otherwise do love the Andersen for its ease of set up.
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Old 07-06-2016, 11:56 PM   #26
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I just realized this thread started in 2014. Escape no longer recommends the Andersen and when we were at the factory 3 weeks ago to have our frame supports welded on as per the recall, when I brought up the subject of the Andersen cone replacement, it was simply met with a sympathetic ear and " we had too many issues so no longer handle it". But when I bought it, it was introduced to us and recommended by Escape and paid a premium. A little disappointed in the overall lack of interest at the factory. Another issue is the furnace. The Atwood that was put into our 2013 Escape is no longer being installed in the new 17's. Inside of 2 years we have an obsolete furnace for which even O'Connors doesn't carry parts ( have to order in which is very inconvenient when you are travelling and need service). Realize this is not part of this Andersen Hitch thread, but just catching up on a couple of thoughts as a result of our June road trip.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:11 AM   #27
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I don't think ETI recommended Anderson. They offered it because of demand that was created on this forum. There have been several other items suggested as the latest and greatest fix for fridge problems etc. that have failed to live up to expectations.
ETI uses appliances etc. that are manufactured for the RV market. I love my front opening window with rock guard, but the maker discontinued it in 2009 ( I believe ) and ETI had to find another.
ETI is not large enough to dictate to these suppliers what they will provide and for how long.
If you have an issue with an appliance, dig out the instruction manual and you will find a phone number or web address where you can find authorized service centers. There are probably a thousand Dometic service centers, for instance. And, they will likely have to order parts, if required.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:14 AM   #28
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Peter, Andersen has a reputation for being very responsive to customer requests or problems. Have you contacted them?

As for the furnace, it's not obsolete. The Atwood Everest Star 7900 II has been put in RVs of all kinds for many years, and at least in the US, replacement parts are readily available. Yes, Escape has upgraded to the new AFSAD12 furnace, but they're always improving their product.

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/furnaces...-ii-series.asp
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:23 AM   #29
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Peter, Andersen has a reputation for being very responsive to customer requests or problems. Have you contacted them?
Call them - they are months behind in responding to email.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:24 AM   #30
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As for the furnace, it's not obsolete. The Atwood Everest Star 7900 II has been put in RVs of all kinds for many years, and at least in the US, replacement parts are readily available. Yes, Escape has upgraded to the new AFSAD12 furnace, but they're always improving their product.
True. Also, Escape switched when advised by Atwood that the old model was discontinued, rather than waiting for the supply of the old model to run out, so they were as proactive as possible.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:32 AM   #31
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Another issue is the furnace. The Atwood that was put into our 2013 Escape is no longer being installed in the new 17's. Inside of 2 years we have an obsolete furnace for which even O'Connors doesn't carry parts ( have to order in which is very inconvenient when you are travelling and need service).
All Escape models get the same model of furnace - none of them get the old Everest Star 8012-II any more. The reality of RV appliances is that most parts for most of them are not in stock at any dealer.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:38 AM   #32
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1) Yes, we have been in touch with Andersen and as my previous post states: received new cone within a week. We have now exchanged emails for the past 3 weeks and I will try again tomorrow. We have been on the road for the past month, so not quite as efficient as dealing with things from home office.
2) Andersen was recommended directly to us at the factory when we put together our order in 2013. Never had heard of it prior.
3) Yes, parts for the Atwood furnace are available by ordering. Not exactly a good situation when you are travelling and on the move. O'Connor's is a huge R.V. Dealer in Chilliwack and they couldn't find the unit in their database until they programmed in the new name and model number by the new owners of the Atwood brand. Two big R.V. dealers in Chilliwack didnot carry parts for this unit. Having said that, it is like any other appliance, many different brands all built by the same factory using the same internal parts so I have no fear that parts will not be available in the near future....At Escape (3 weeks ago) they told us our furnace is obsolete in that they are now installing a completely different unit in the new 17 (redesigned) and when I asked about switching our Atwood to this new unit, said not feasible as they had to redesign the cabinetry and venting outlet to accommodate the new unit they now use.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:45 AM   #33
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Anybody have a solution to progress?
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:06 AM   #34
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Anybody have a solution to progress?
Hi: gbaglo... Alf
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:10 AM   #35
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Hi Alf.
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Old 07-07-2016, 06:47 AM   #36
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Sell it and get a new one...... As far as the Andersen, I stopped there on one of my trips to Osoyoos. Very nice people and they came out to the parking lot and switched my brackets, gratis. May be worth a trip there to fix your issue.
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Old 07-07-2016, 08:35 AM   #37
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andersen hitch updates

Many miles using the Andersen and I am happy. A year or two ago the friction material was working up and out, I called and was told about 1/2 inch was the time to change it. A new one showed up within the week and I changed it , during our trip this last month I had 1/2 inch again, call company and Tiger(?) said a new material is in use. I received it as soon as we arrived home and I installed it yesterday, this one is off white, it dropped in after I cleaned all of the old red one out. The only difficult part was the "C" clip and the best quality of pliars needed to change it out. I always lube the ball with white lithium grease and have no noise, sway and I can make small adjustments with a quick stop along the hi way.
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Old 07-07-2016, 11:53 AM   #38
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Call them - they are months behind in responding to email.
That is not my experience. I have contacted them twice in the past year. Once when one of us put the washer on the wrong side of the elastomer and once to talk about some wear on the chains. In both cases I had a response in less than one business day.
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:28 PM   #39
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I called and was told about 1/2 inch was the time to change it.
Jack
Thanks, Jack. Mine is just under 1/2 inch.

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I always lube the ball with white lithium grease and have no noise, sway and I can make small adjustments with a quick stop along the hi way.
Jack
Did Andersen recommend this? The installation manual on the Andersen web site (assume it is current) says no lubrication of the ball is needed.

I called Andersen, and they said they would send me a new friction cone with the new material. The person I spoke with did not offer an answer to my reseat or replace question, but asked for a photo of my ball mount.

I am a bit surprised at the way they deal with customers. The first time I called, they transferred me to my area rep, whose cell phone had a full mailbox, so no way to leave a message. I called back, they offered to leave a message for my rep, but I got them to connect me to someone else who was on a cell. After describing my problem to this person, they asked me to send them my contact info via text message. Hopefully they will get my message and send a replacement. I think I will reseat the old cone in the meantime.
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:49 PM   #40
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What seems to go wrong with my Andersen hitch is that the chain starts to get real tight on one side and the other side comes loose. I had to replace the cone at around 3500 miles and Andersen quickly responded with a new one.

I like the hitch mainly for eliminating the bounce and sway has never been a problem when towing without the Andersen. Before I head out this fall I am very tempted to grease the cone. Loren
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