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Old 04-05-2013, 11:11 PM   #41
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The coupler on Jim's trailer is clearly marked as a Ram, although I didn't recognize that brand. This is the wrap around yoke as long (and still) produced by Atwood - I didn't know anyone else made them. My Boler has an earlier version by Atwood, although only 5000 pound capacity (rather than 8000). I don't know about the details of the latch, but the jaw and yoke mechanism is inherently solid and reliable.
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Old 04-17-2013, 10:45 AM   #42
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Installed the andersen hitch and set up with the FJ, I had a 1" squat before and with the hitch the rear raised 1/2" and front dropped 1/2" to equalize the set up.
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Old 04-17-2013, 12:07 PM   #43
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Jim, have you had a chance to go for a drive with this set up? Does it help with the "bounce" and is it as quiet as they sugest? What is your opinion on ease and hooking up. I know I am currious of that and I believe there was another person that was currious of that aspect.
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Old 04-17-2013, 06:05 PM   #44
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Definitely keep the information coming. I don't have any sort of WDH at the moment, but will probably get one once I see how the 19 pulls. I'm definitely interested in the Anderson, so I appreciate the first person reports.
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Old 04-17-2013, 06:31 PM   #45
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Jim, did you weld the braces to the frame or drill for the set screws? I have this hitch in my garage as I wait for a late June delivery.
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Old 04-22-2013, 08:25 AM   #46
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Just got back from towing close to 1400 miles with the Andersen hitch. No sway at all with 20-30 mph gusts. The brackets stayed fixed (not welded) and the trailer towed true. Upon arrival the hitch was disconnected within 2-3 minutes with loosening the 2 nuts and pulling one pin. Hookup was just as easy for the return trip.
The FJ averaged 13/14/15 mpg over 6-8 fill ups with mountainous driving thru
Blue Ridge/Appalachian/Smokey Mountains down and back.
I also installed a set of these PIAA lights on the front, really helped at night.
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Old 04-22-2013, 07:02 PM   #47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
I also installed a set of these PIAA lights on the front, really helped at night.
The closeup photo looks like a fog light, but the photo in operation on the FJ looks like they are aimed far too high for a fog... but it's always hard to tell in that type of photo. Jim, what type of lamp are these fog, driving, cornering...)? The photo appears to match the 540 Ion Yellow Fog Halogen Lamp from the PIAA site, but I don't know if your photo was intended to be an exact match.
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Old 04-22-2013, 08:01 PM   #48
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It is the 520 series driving light with a 15 degree span, not fog lights. Here is a link to my set
PIAA Driving Lamp System - Exclusively for the Toyota FJ Cruiser! [5298] - $291.75 : Pure FJ Cruiser Accessories, Parts and Accessories for your Toyota FJ Cruiser
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Old 04-22-2013, 08:07 PM   #49
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I'm curious how that lamp does this:

The light beam penetrates rain, fog, dust, and snow without bouncing back into the drivers eyes to dramatically enhance visibility while driving in any road or weather conditions.
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Old 04-22-2013, 08:09 PM   #50
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Glenn,
Do you believe everything you read on the internet?
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Old 04-22-2013, 09:17 PM   #51
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Thanks for the info, Jim.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I'm curious how that lamp does this:

The light beam penetrates rain, fog, dust, and snow without bouncing back into the drivers eyes to dramatically enhance visibility while driving in any road or weather conditions.
I had the same reaction. I think it's just a fog lamp description incorrectly applied to a driving lamp. A fog achieves that - to some extent - by being aimed low, so the fog/snow up in the driver's line of sight is not illuminated. The genuine PIAA page for the same product has a completely different and much more rational description:
520 SMR Driving XTreme White Plus Halogen Lamp Kit
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Old 04-22-2013, 10:37 PM   #52
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Jim, I have some extra power for those lights!
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Old 04-23-2013, 10:42 AM   #53
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Ha,Ha, we can land aircraft between my lights and your solar
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Old 04-29-2013, 04:42 PM   #54
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I've been calling around today looking for the best way to get an Andersen hitch to Chilliwack for our 12 June orientation. Ideally, I'd find a place near the Escape factory, pick it up there at a competitive price, and take it to Reace. The reality is that, living in Ohio, I can get one nearby for $500 and pack it all the way to the factory, get one on line at $450 with free shipping, or maybe find one along the way somewhere. The on-line place says they can't ship to Canada due to weight restrictions. I really don't want to haul a hitch all the way from Ohio to Chilliwack along with all the other stuff we need to live in the Escape for a few weeks, but that may be my only option. Anyone have any ideas? I guess to save space, I could go ahead and mount the heavy bits of the hitch to the car.
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Old 04-29-2013, 04:50 PM   #55
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Maybe you could ship to a trustworthy Washington or Oregon owner who is going to the rally. I'd volunteer but we aren't going to the rally this year.
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Old 04-29-2013, 04:52 PM   #56
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stop at the Andersen factory in Idaho on way out or the way back
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Old 04-29-2013, 05:12 PM   #57
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Quote:
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stop at the Andersen factory in Idaho on way out or the way back
I considered that. It's quite a bit off the most direct way, but maybe it's worth a re-think. My son went to school in Moscow ID, and there is no direct road to anywhere out there! I'd probably opt for just getting it online at the discount with free shipping and haul the thing rather than go out of the way to visit the factory. Good thinking, though!
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Old 04-29-2013, 05:12 PM   #58
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Great suggestion from Jim. I forgot the factory was in Idaho.
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Old 04-29-2013, 05:21 PM   #59
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Hey!! I went to WSU! What do you mean there is no direct road to anywhere out there? On the way there is Craters of the Moon, Hells Canyon, Lake Coeur d' Alene, to Spokane up to the Coulee Dam and across the boarder to Osoyoos. That's a lot of great places to see on the road to nowhere.
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Old 04-29-2013, 05:22 PM   #60
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Parker,
I'm in the exact same position as you for my May 30th pick up. I could save $50 on the Andersen hitch and have free shipping in the U.S. through Amazon. I would really like to save the money but, again like you, I have absolutely no room in my car for it. I'm not even sure I can get everything else needed for my 3 week trip into the car so I have opted to pay Escape $500 for the hitch and $75 for it's installation. Also, I was worried about the possibility of getting charged customs/tax on the hitch if I tried to bring it into Canada myself.
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