Anderson weight distribution hitch

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Jrn56

My wife want's hot pink, do I need to call Kim and specify that on my build sheet?

C'mon, give me a break and be honest here....

It really is you that wants the hot pink, right?

[Jrn56]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

C'mon, give me a break and be honest here....

It really is you that wants the hot pink, right?

Ok, I confess

[dave1]

Red is the color of the friction material on my hitch also. It has a snap ring holding the ball into the cone so it cannot be removed. Unlike the first generation which the ball was free in the cone and you had a choice of collar or triangle chain piece.

Dave

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Let's make sure we are on the same page, the ball is on the hitch, coupler is on the trailer, when hooked up and chains tightened there is no movement between the ball and coupler, they are one unit now.. The ball however is free to turn within the hitch, as when making turns around corners. The pink matter makes it harder to turn the ball within the hitch, the more downward pressure from the tongue makes the ball less apt to turn within the hitch, this is anti-sway action.

Yep... works for me. I usually say something like ball/cone, but it is all one part.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by dave1

Red is the color of the friction material on my hitch also. It has a snap ring holding the ball into the cone so it cannot be removed. Unlike the first generation which the ball was free in the cone and you had a choice of collar or triangle chain piece.

Dave

Interesting, and makes good sense. I just bought mine this spring, and it seems to be the first generation model.

[dave1]

Jim,
According to the factory it was changed about 3months ago.The instructions make it really clear to try and end up as straight as possible so the chain triangle plate is perpendicularly the trailer tongue.
I'm sure it is for consumer protection as somewhere someone will hook up to use it to tow a trailer without the WDH and forget to put the collar on.

Dave

[cpaharley2008]

What am I missing here, are there any pictures of the changes?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

What am I missing here, are there any pictures of the changes?

There are some good photos at "Andersen No-Sway Anti-Bounce Cushion Weight Distribution Hitch, new never been seen design.", of what I assume is a first-generation hitch. The collar shown with the caption "Collar holds ball in place for drawbar when not using chains" is apparently not needed with the second-generation design.
I sent a query to Andersen about the changes, but I would not expect a reply until they have had at least one business day... so Monday or later. I'll pass along whatever I learn.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by dave1

I'm sure it is for consumer protection as somewhere someone will hook up to use it to tow a trailer without the WDH and forget to put the collar on.

That makes sense. Without either the collar or a snap ring to retain the ball/cone, it would tow fine until something caused the trailer to pull up on the ball, and then it would come apart. The SAE standard which establishes test procedures and strength for hitches requires the hitch to withstand a pull-up force of 50% of the trailer's gross weight... the same amount of force as it is required to handle pushing down on the ball or pushing the ball left or right.

[dave1]

I'll try to post a picture or two. We are about 3/4 of the way to chilliwack to pick up our 19 on Tuesday.
Brian,
Will be interesting to hear what the factory says.
Dave

[dave1]

This is a picture of the snap ring on the bottom of the ball

[dave1]

This one maybe better

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by dave1

This is a picture of the snap ring on the bottom of the ball

Excellent - thanks Dave!

That's pretty much what I was expecting.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by dave1

This one maybe better

Nice upgrade. Not too much issue with the old collar style for me though, as I really don't see using it without the triangular plate, but still......

[Jim Bennett]

BTW, the socket supplied with my hitch had a real shallow cut for the ratchet drive, only 1/4" deep. It falls off easily, and is more prone to rounding due to being made out of aluminum. Long story short, last night I sent an email to Andersen explaining my issue, another email today with a photo, and the replacement is now in the mail. Great service.

The rep said it was the first he had heard of it, as it is a machine that drills and punches that hole.

[dave1]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Nice upgrade. Not too much issue with the old collar style for me though, as I really don't see using it without the triangular plate, but still......

Jim,

I'm not sure if it is a nice upgrade or not. Will depend on how hard it is to get the chain plate straight if it ends up turned from the last hitch. I assume once your version is unhitched the ball is free and can be removed or turned.
Dave

[Jim Bennett]

It is easy to turn, prior to any load on it. Something that is nice to do on sites where I jacknife into. Does not the style with the clip still turn easy with no load on it?

[dave1]

Will answer the turning question in a few days. We were able to turn it during install. andersen makes a point in the instructions to tell you not to hit the chain plate with a hammer to turn it. The rep said he had to tap his straight and used a wood block. Hopefully it will loosen up a bit with use.

Dave

[cpaharley2008]

Heck, I was using my ratchet wrench, did not have a hammer.

[dave1]

Wonder if it turns out to be a pain to turn if I couldn't just remove the snap ring and free it up like yours. I never plan to tow without the chain plate anyway.

Dave