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Old 08-21-2016, 03:48 PM   #1
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Andersen extended rack

When we picked up our Escape 19 in May 2015 the ordered Andersen hitch was installed on our 2008 4Runner and the trailer connected while we were given our orientation. The first time we hitched up was when we were leaving the customer appreciation event. Although it took us a while we were please with the ease of hitching, we finished packing the back of the 4Runner then went to close the tailgate .... you guessed it, it would not close because the tongue jack was in the way. We proceeded to unhook, close the tailgate, and re-hitch, this time we were faster. LOL

The hitch has worked great, the odd squeak but Andersen has been great and that is no longer a problem, but not having access to the rear has been a pain. A few weeks ago I called Andersen to see if they would make me an extended rack, longer by 2 1/2" . I was very pleased when they told me they now offer an extended rack as a regular offering, it is 3" longer.

Here are some pictures of the difference, I am also very happy I can open my tailgate.
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P1080217.jpg   P1080219.jpg   P1080220.jpg   P1080221.jpg  
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Old 08-21-2016, 03:49 PM   #2
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Pictures of the clearance between the tailgate and the jack
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P1080222.JPG   P1080223.jpg   P1080224.jpg  
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Old 08-21-2016, 04:13 PM   #3
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Thanks Ian. Gonna have to pick one up from Andersen. I think the extra 3" will mean I can drop my truck tailgate. And, it should allow for slightly tighter turns without worrying about hitting the storage box with the taillights.

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Old 08-22-2016, 09:34 AM   #4
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After I learned from this forum RE: extented 3" rack, I contacted Andersen factory to enquire about it this morning. I am happy to report that their service was excellent. They allowed me to trade in my current one for the extended 3" rack. All I have to pay is $100. The original quote was $199 plus 7% S & P.

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Old 08-22-2016, 12:29 PM   #5
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The Andersen's factory is in Idaho and not too far off course for those enroute to Osoyoos. I stopped there in 2015 and they exchanged the incorrect brackets, gratis for me.
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Old 08-22-2016, 08:07 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonny LR View Post
After I learned from this forum RE: extented 3" rack, I contacted Andersen factory to enquire about it this morning. I am happy to report that their service was excellent. They allowed me to trade in my current one for the extended 3" rack. All I have to pay is $100. The original quote was $199 plus 7% S & P.

Tonny LR
I may have to call Andersen back, I was charged $140, but no trade in, I get to keep the shorter paper weight
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Old 08-22-2016, 08:12 PM   #7
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... but no trade in, I get to keep the shorter paper weight
That's why eBay exists.
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Old 08-22-2016, 08:45 PM   #8
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Ian,
I like to point out that I was the one asking to trade in my current rack. They did not offer it in the first place. However, they sold the rack to you for $140, not $199.

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Old 08-22-2016, 11:20 PM   #9
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Is that US$100 with trade-in, and CA$140 without? If so, it sounds almost like they just saved Ian the bother of returning his original.
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Old 08-22-2016, 11:27 PM   #10
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Should have returned it to Costco. I hear they take anything back.
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Old 08-23-2016, 08:39 AM   #11
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Quote:
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Is that US$100 with trade-in, and CA$140 without? If so, it sounds almost like they just saved Ian the bother of returning his original.
Yes, it is $USD.
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Old 08-23-2016, 03:09 PM   #12
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Towing with the Extended Rack

Hi Ian,

Great idea! Thanks for the post. I didn't know this option was available. I've been trying to figure out a tailgate interference issue on my new (to me) 21 and my 2007 Tundra. Was trying to figure out if a Jack-E-Up would work, but I like the simplicity of this solution better.

Have you noticed any change in the towing characteristics due to the change in truck-trailer geometry? That rack moves the hitch weight 3" further back from the rear axle, and, at least on some vehicles, may result in more "squat" on the TV and possibly more sway on the trailer. Would be interested to hear your (or other's) experience.

Thanks,

Paul
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Old 08-23-2016, 03:23 PM   #13
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Hi Ian,

Great idea! Thanks for the post. I didn't know this option was available. I've been trying to figure out a tailgate interference issue on my new (to me) 21 and my 2007 Tundra. Was trying to figure out if a Jack-E-Up would work, but I like the simplicity of this solution better.

Have you noticed any change in the towing characteristics due to the change in truck-trailer geometry? That rack moves the hitch weight 3" further back from the rear axle, and, at least on some vehicles, may result in more "squat" on the TV and possibly more sway on the trailer. Would be interested to hear your (or other's) experience.

Thanks,

Paul
First Paul the Jack-e-Up is useless, bought it, tried it ... another candidate for EBay (Thanks Brian). It is very unstable, the jack can "wobble" quite a bit when used.

I cannot comment on towing since all I have done is set-up the hitch, not towed yet. With the original set-up the safety chains were in the 4th link from the end, with the extension they are now in the second link. Levelling and tensioning the weight distribution chains they are in exactly the same thread could to level the trailer & truck. Any sway should be looked after by the Andersen system.
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Old 08-23-2016, 03:27 PM   #14
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Thanks Ian. Any thoughts you have after actual use would be appreciated.
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Old 08-23-2016, 03:37 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by a602pmcc View Post
I've been trying to figure out a tailgate interference issue on my new (to me) 21 and my 2007 Tundra.
...
Have you noticed any change in the towing characteristics due to the change in truck-trailer geometry? That rack moves the hitch weight 3" further back from the rear axle, and, at least on some vehicles, may result in more "squat" on the TV and possibly more sway on the trailer.
I think it results in more squat and a greater tendency for sway on every vehicle, but WD users will crank up the WD force more to compensate for squat, Andersen No-Sway users should find the hitch damps out sway, and the differences might be small enough that they're not noticeable. The Tundra has more rear overhang than other similarly-sized trucks and the extension makes that a bit worse; the 4Runner has reasonably short overhang but also short wheelbase (like other SUVs), and the short wheelbase makes the overhang more critical.
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Old 08-23-2016, 03:47 PM   #16
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Thanks for your thoughts Brian. My belief and hope is that any difference would be negligible. With the standard rack in my so-far limited experience with this setup it has been very stable and comfortable to tow.
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Old 08-23-2016, 04:14 PM   #17
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I'm curious as to how moving the ball back from the axle effects towing too.
When I had the Trailblazer, I had another hole drilled in the shank so I could set it in deeper and move the ball toward the axle.... I could still open the hatch when hitched with that rig.
With the Silverado, I still use the deeper hitch position, and use the Jack-E-Up so I can lower the tailgate....it's rock steady with the trailer weight on it.
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Old 08-23-2016, 04:45 PM   #18
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I have used the Jack-E-Up for the past 3 years. When installed originally there was some wobble, so I removed the bolts, rotated the base one third and reinstalled, the bolts lined up properly and the looseness was gone. Anyway, like a lot of universal items, a little movement one way or another can make things right.
I have also used the extended stinger set up and did not like the towing experience, too much porpoising. This was not with the Andersen but a conventional hitch. Andersen may be okay.
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Old 08-23-2016, 04:52 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by paulw View Post
I'm curious as to how moving the ball back from the axle effects towing too.
When I had the Trailblazer, I had another hole drilled in the shank so I could set it in deeper and move the ball toward the axle.... I could still open the hatch when hitched with that rig.
With the Silverado, I still use the deeper hitch position, and use the Jack-E-Up so I can lower the tailgate....it's rock steady with the trailer weight on it.
I did the same for towing with our Honda Pilot, drilled another hole so I could move the ball about 2" closer to the axle. That changed helped to reduce the "squat" I saw when I hooked up and it seemed like towing was more stable and less "bouncy."
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Old 08-23-2016, 06:30 PM   #20
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Generally speaking the shorter the distance from the rear axle to the hitch point the less "wag" by the trailer to the tow vehicle- whether it be the rear overhang or the length of the ball shank.

I gave up on the Andersen and recently went to the Pro Series which because of the way the ball attaches to the WD head it sits about 3" further back so I can open the lift gate now. Has a much more stable feel to me vs. the Andersen; has more of the feeling of the tug & trailer being one and hardly any feel of porpoising.
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