Ditched the Andersen Fifth Wheel Hitch! BUT WHY?

[arniesea]

Here is an interesting video from "Big Truck Big RV" channel. He reviewed the Andersen 5th Wheel hitch in a prior video and really liked it. But then switched back to his B7W hitch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EgAbrX3JCU

His reasons were not due to any flaws with the Andersen hitch but more to do with his needs and preferences.

[Brian B-P]

While the video image is completely pointless, and the audio would be better as text with one photo for illustration, his reasons for the change are interesting.

Although his primary reason is that the base of the B&W Companion is simply smaller than the base of the Andersen, I'll note that his Companion mounts to four pads (called "pucks") which are factory-installed in his Ford Super Duty pickup... and the Ford mounting pattern is the most compact of the three (Ford, Ram, GM), at only 13 inches (on centre) fore-aft. That allows the Companion OEM for Ford base to have a footprint only 33.5" wide and 16.5" long (fore-aft). The other Companion OEM bases are larger (not that anyone towing an Escape has a truck with one of these OEM puck systems), and the Companion that works with the Turnoverball under-bed mount has a base which is 30.5" wide and 36" long (fore-aft)... that's as big as the Andersen Ultimate.

Anyone with an Andersen wanting to save space might want to compare dimensions. The Andersen gooseneck-anchored base is 35.63" wide and 31.5" long (fore-aft), so the Turnoverball-mounted Companion would be just as big, but turned with the longer dimension fore-aft instead of side-to-side. The rail-mounted Andersen is only 24" square; rail-mounted conventional fifth-wheels will be the same size fore-aft, and many are the same width as well (with others even wider).

If you have thick steel flatbed, you can use a Companion Flatbed with a base only 17.25" x 18". Other than that, if you don't have a Ford SuperDuty, the smallest footprint would be a rail-mounted Andersen or similarly shaped conventional fifth-wheel.

[Chotch]

You would have a hard time getting me to switch to a conventional hitch. I have plenty of room in the bed of my truck, it tows quietly, is the lightest hitch available, rated for close to 4 times my trailer weight, easy in and out, adjustability both for and aft, and the simplest hitch out there.

[escape artist]

Hi: All... Didn't watch the vid but maybe he can't be bothered hooking up the safety chains. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie "Searchin for my lost shaker of salt".

[Hilola]

Chotch, what was your bed length again?

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Anyone with an Andersen wanting to save space might want to compare dimensions. The Andersen gooseneck-anchored base is 35.63" wide and 31.5" long (fore-aft), so the Turnoverball-mounted Companion would be just as big, but turned with the longer dimension fore-aft instead of side-to-side. The rail-mounted Andersen is only 24" square; rail-mounted conventional fifth-wheels will be the same size fore-aft, and many are the same width as well (with others even wider).

Our truck was purchased for one reason: pulling a camper. While we liked the looks of the turnoverball Andersen, with the flat floor when not in use, the rail version is much smaller. Since we want to carry at least one trike in the back (currently we have two in back) we needed all the space possible. In Tucson we finally got to see both versions in the Andersen floor display at an RV dealer. The rail mounted version takes up significantly less space, showing we definitely made the correct choice for us.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by Hilola

Chotch, what was your bed length again?

6.5 foot you can see I still have room even with a large tool box that's built into tonneau cover.

[arniesea]

Originally Posted by Chotch

You would have a hard time getting me to switch to a conventional hitch. I have plenty of room in the bed of my truck, it tows quietly, is the lightest hitch available, rated for close to 4 times my trailer weight, easy in and out, adjustability both for and aft, and the simplest hitch out there.

I like your tray under the hitch for the Andersen Levelers! Great idea!

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by arniesea

I like your tray under the hitch for the Andersen Levelers! Great idea!

You have a space, you put something in it 😎

[Hilola]

Originally Posted by Chotch

6.5 foot you can see I still have room even with a large tool box that's built into tonneau cover.

Thanks. You better take that jug of milk out of the bed before it spoils!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Our truck was purchased for one reason: pulling a camper. While we liked the looks of the turnoverball Andersen, with the flat floor when not in use, the rail version is much smaller. Since we want to carry at least one trike in the back (currently we have two in back) we needed all the space possible. In Tucson we finally got to see both versions in the Andersen floor display at an RV dealer. The rail mounted version takes up significantly less space, showing we definitely made the correct choice for us.

Enjoy,

Perry

Given this I would definitely have gone with the rail mount. I chose the gooseneck version for the ability to have a clean bed for work, but in reality rarely made use of this.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Given this I would definitely have gone with the rail mount. I chose the gooseneck version for the ability to have a clean bed for work, but in reality rarely made use of this.

My main reason for choosing rail mount was to save a few lbs. That was the main reason for the Andersen in the first place.