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Old 08-04-2020, 11:27 PM   #1
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Ford ranger and 17b

We have a 2004 ford ranger and a 2007 17B... I’m seriously considering an Anderson weight distribution hitch...a guy at a local wheel n break place who installs lots of these says on the lighter trucks some folks do not like the Anderson.. could I get feedback from escape owners
Who have rangers and 17s? Thanks! I love this forum!,,I have learned soooo much.
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:42 AM   #2
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I've never used an Anderson but I suspect that a conventional 5th wheel hitch is easier to use as long as you never have to remove it from your truck bed. ...
Maybe another cuppa coffee in order, Bob?

Sabrinas, with a 17B, is clearly asking about Andersen's WDH for bumper pull-trailers
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Old 08-05-2020, 09:01 AM   #3
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you,re right, shouldn't try to think that early in the morning.
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Old 08-05-2020, 09:48 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by sabrinas View Post
some folks do not like the Anderson.. could I get feedback from escape owners

Top executive at Andersen defaced a park by caving his initials in rock face. That could be one reason people won't buy Andersen products.
https://www.idahostatejournal.com/me...53287525d.html
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Old 08-05-2020, 10:18 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by sabrinas View Post
We have a 2004 ford ranger and a 2007 17B... I’m seriously considering an Anderson weight distribution hitch...a guy at a local wheel n break place who installs lots of these says on the lighter trucks some folks do not like the Anderson.. could I get feedback from escape owners
Who have rangers and 17s? Thanks! I love this forum!,,I have learned soooo much.

I don't have a Ford Ranger but my experience with the Anderson hitch was not a good one. As far as the weight distribution aspect of it, it was great. Trailer and tow vehicle traveled as one. But the anti-sway factor was nonexistent, felt every vehicle that passed me, small car or large truck. Also they are noisy, (at least mine was) and not just slow driving in town but also on the freeway. To be fair, the noise factor may have been partly do to a poor install by ETI as the chains weren't lined up properly. After two trips I went to a conventional WD hitch and have been very happy ever since.
By the way I still have it in my garage and you can have it if you pay for the shipping.
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Old 08-05-2020, 10:22 AM   #6
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It's Andersen, not Anderson, if you are doing a search.
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Old 08-05-2020, 11:22 AM   #7
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I towed my 19 all over North America with a 2010 Ranger. I liked the feel of the WDH, the conventional one sold by ETI. Easy to use once you learn how to use it and never any problem with it. Andersen did have some problems and it seems like I've heard more negative comments about them than positive ones.

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Old 08-05-2020, 01:46 PM   #8
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I towed my 19 all over North America with a 2010 Ranger.
What did you use for a brake controller?
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Old 08-05-2020, 02:14 PM   #9
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A Hopkins Agility Proportional Controller, 47295. Not the most popular brand, but worked very well for me.

It's now in my spares box as the F150 came with a controller. Don't see any difference in the effectiveness of one over the other.

If the truck warranty expires and the cost to fix the factory unit is exorbitant I'd probably just stick the Hopkins in.

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Old 08-05-2020, 04:02 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sabrinas View Post
We have a 2004 ford ranger and a 2007 17B... I’m seriously considering an Anderson weight distribution hitch...a guy at a local wheel n break place who installs lots of these says on the lighter trucks some folks do not like the Anderson.. could I get feedback from escape owners
Who have rangers and 17s? Thanks! I love this forum!,,I have learned soooo much.
Hi Sbrinas, We don't have a E17 or a Ford Ranger but will pipe in with our Andersen experience and hope it helps. We have towed our 2019 E21 with a 2017 Ford Expedition with the Andersen WDH system for over a year now, and we are very happy with it! Previously we used a traditional WDH system with those heavy bars (with our previous trailers), but much prefer the lightweight Andersen set up we have now. (Not sure why a smaller, lighter truck would be any different?)

It is easy to install (we installed it ourselves) and set up and disconnect is simple and easy to learn. We have not heard any noise with it, except when cranking it tight, but none while traveling or backing up. The connection feels nice and tight on the road and sway control is excellent!

*Note - Andersen does say that if your vehicle has a computerized anti-sway control feature, that you may need to turn it off. Please check the Andersen manual for details on this for your vehicle.

The main difference for us now is that when I hitch up, I now try to back in at the same angle as when I unhitched. This makes hitching up easier, but not totally necessary.

Sounds like previous Andersen's had some issues back when ETI installed them, but from our experience, the newer updated current version is a solid system. BTW, Oliver now offers the new Andersen WDH system as an upgrade for their customers.

Best of luck with your decision,
-Bea
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:06 PM   #11
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Mt question: what are the conditions or the reason(s) why are you considering a WDH for an Escape 17?
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:10 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
It's Andersen, not Anderson, if you are doing a search.

Picky Picky Picky


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bea View Post
Sounds like previous Andersen's had some issues back when ETI installed them, but from our experience, the newer updated current version is a solid system. BTW, Oliver now offers the new Andersen WDH system as an upgrade for their customers.
-Bea

You may be right, my experience was 5 years ago. I do remember Reese telling me that they were going to discontinue selling the Andersen hitch because they were having so many problems with it.
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:43 PM   #13
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dfandrews,
i’m having some bouncing. i’ve made sure the load is distributed at or in front of axle. so trailer is not ‘proposing’ it just bounces when i go over bumps. i have had a porposing when i had too much weight on a cargo rack on the rear bumper og an old trailer. no fun stopped 2000 yds later snd redistributed.
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Old 08-05-2020, 08:42 PM   #14
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I'm not sure about your description of the load "at or in front of the axle." The usual criteria is tongue weight and that might be something that you should establish.

One of the positives that I notice with a WDH is that the tug and trailer act as one and go over undulations without the porpoising that can happen without one.

Ron
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Old 08-05-2020, 09:56 PM   #15
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Picky Picky Picky





You may be right, my experience was 5 years ago. I do remember Reese telling me

You mean Reace?
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Old 08-06-2020, 08:07 PM   #16
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You mean Reace?
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