Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch

[scottarue]

Is anyone using the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch? It looks like it would be a little easier to hitch up compared to the E2 Fastway. I would appreciate anyone with experience with the Andersen to comment how it is working out. Thinking about getting it for my 21C on order.

 

[Civilguy]

I like it very much. We've had it installed for a bit over 8,000 towing miles to date. As is often mentioned, the oddball no-grease design makes it much cleaner and easier to deal with as it’s much lighter and cleaner than a traditional WDH.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/...t-sleeve-lock-coupler-22726-2.html#post420367

 

[Tonny LR]

I have used it for 10 years and like It. It is very easy to set up and take down.
Tonny LR

 

[Sean Murry]

I love our Andersen. It is easy to set up and take down. Like the built in anti sway as well. And it is quiet!

 

[SteveSgt]

Is anyone using the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch? It looks like it would be a little easier to hitch up compared to the E2 Fastway. I would appreciate anyone with experience with the Andersen to comment how it is working out. Thinking about getting it for my 21C on order.

We bought one locally to haul with us to Sumas to pick up our trailer. I installed it myself in the Bob's Burgers parking lot. I had no problems on our 3+ week, ~1,500 mile meander back home in our E21C. I wound up adjusting the chains a little tighter than the manual recommended, making the ride a little less bouncy. When I went back to the place I bought the hitch, they said I had it about right.

There are a couple of quirks to it that I wasn't expecting.

• Don't forget to latch the coupler before hooking up the weight distribution chains.
• You want to hook the chains up when the coupler is connected, but without any visible weight on the vehicle.
• It's much easier to deal with if you can line-up the tow vehicle with the trailer, as opposed to some off-angle.
• You'll sometimes need to use a pry bar or a rubber hammer on the "boomerang" below the hitch ball to make it straight. (If you hitch-up at a different angle than you unhitched.)

With only about 2k miles on it so far, it's worked for me.

 

[Sean Murry]

I would caution against trying to align the "Boomerang" piece with force. I do believe the manual says to not do that. If you can't align it by backing the TV at an appropriate angle, you should loosen one of the chains and drive forward in the direction the chain was loosened. That will straighten it up, then secure your chains.

However if your alignment is not 100% accurate, that is OK

 

[SteveSgt]

I would caution against trying to align the "Boomerang" piece with force. I do believe the manual says to not do that.

The specialty shop that sold me the hitch (and that's all they've done in their business for 55 years), said it was OK to gently persuade the piece into position if the ball is not yet tight in the coupler. They recommended a pry bar, but said a rubber hammer wouldn't do any damage.

If you can't align it by backing the TV at an appropriate angle, you should loosen one of the chains and drive forward in the direction the chain was loosened.

I've been in several spots, including my storage lot, where there's not room to hitch-up straight in or out.

But what you advise is certainly ideal if you have the space.

 

[oldwave]

Simply hitch the ball
Move the trailer to align the hitch
Then hook it up
No hammer needed

 

[Sean Murry]

Simply hitch the ball
Move the trailer to align the hitch
Then hook it up
No hammer needed

Totally agree, not necessary to always be straight when hitching up or unhitching

 

[scottarue]

Hi - I am picking up my 21C in Sumas so might try installing the hitch at Bob's Burgers as you did. Can you estimate the length of time it took you to install? Also, is there adequate room on the 21C frame to install the brackets that hold the chains? I am a little handy, but not an expert by any means. I am nervous about installing it myself and pulling away from Sumas with a secure hitch.

 

[SteveSgt]

You'll sometimes need to use a pry bar or a rubber hammer on the "boomerang" below the hitch ball to make it straight. (If you hitch-up at a different angle than you unhitched.)

As an update, I learned that all I have to do is stand on the chain on one side or the other to adjust the boomerang, so no hammers or crowbars anymore.

I am picking up my 21C in Sumas so might try installing the hitch at Bob's Burgers as you did. Can you estimate the length of time it took you to install? Also, is there adequate room on the 21C frame to install the brackets that hold the chains?

Including a quick phone call to the hitch dealer, I think it took me an hour to install it initially in the parking lot.

It took me a while to make sure that I brought all of the right tools.


Then I had to take a break and call the hitch dealer because I wasn't sure exactly where the brackets should be mounted. I wound up having to cut and replace cable ties for the propane hose.


Our trailer arrived in Sumas at 10:15am, and we were pulling out of the lot a little after 11:30am.

 

[Rossue]

Hi - I am picking up my 21C in Sumas so might try installing the hitch at Bob's Burgers as you did. Can you estimate the length of time it took you to install? Also, is there adequate room on the 21C frame to install the brackets that hold the chains? I am a little handy, but not an expert by any means. I am nervous about installing it myself and pulling away from Sumas with a secure hitch.

Wait- is ETI still charging $2500 to deliver a trailer 21 miles from the factory?

If so, and you end up picking it up at the factory perhaps they will install it for a nominal charge. Hoping you got a longer stinger than stock which Andersen will include if ordered from them. If not, it is unlikely you will be able to lower your tailgate without hitting the propane tank cover.

 

[Civilguy]

Wait- is ETI still charging $2500 to deliver a trailer 21 miles from the factory?

When we purchased our trailer, picking it up in January 2018, you could not pick the trailer up at the factory. Escape was responsible for exporting it to the USA.

Once it was delivered in Sumas, we could have crossed the border going north.

I don’t know anything about $2500. Back before the earth cooled, there was a nominal fee associated with the export paperwork, more on the order of one hundred dollars than twenty five hundred.

 

[Rossue]

When we purchased our trailer, picking it up in January 2018, you could not pick the trailer up at the factory. Escape was responsible for exporting it to the USA.

Once it was delivered in Sumas, we could have crossed the border going north.

I don’t know anything about $2500. Back before the earth cooled, there was a nominal fee associated with the export paperwork, more on the order of one hundred dollars than twenty five hundred.

See Post #8 Hopefully different now, however as of 10/30/23 it is their policy.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7/flat-rate-delivery-charge-to-sumas-25449.html

 

[Don Flamenco]

Wait- is ETI still charging $2500 to deliver a trailer 21 miles from the factory?

If so, and you end up picking it up at the factory perhaps they will install it for a nominal charge. Hoping you got a longer stinger than stock which Andersen will include if ordered from them. If not, it is unlikely you will be able to lower your tailgate without hitting the propane tank cover.

I spoke with ETI today as we finalized my build for a Feb. 2024 completion. They made me aware that all trailers shipped/delivered to the United States will incur a $2,500 delivery fee--including Sumas, WA. (picking up in Chilliwack is available and free.)

Also, ETI no longer sells the Andersen WDH and will only install the 2 systems they currently sell.

I called Trademasters in Chilliwack; they do sell & install the Andersen WDH. They quoted a price of $870.00 + $125.00 installation charge (I neglected to ask if that was in CAD or USD.)

Here's the Andersen WDH installation & adjustment video, from Andersen:

 

[Civilguy]

See Post #8 Hopefully different now, however as of 10/30/23 it is their policy.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7/flat-rate-delivery-charge-to-sumas-25449.html

Well golly gee wiz. I don’t follow the forum much anymore, so this was all news to me.

Reace told us on our pickup visit that he quit installing the Andersen as the lining material in the cone would get really noisy. He said you could hear it howling whenever someone came onto the lot.

I think that was before the Andersen redesign. I’m really happy with ours.

I got lazy on our last trip and didn’t equalize the chain tension one morning when we hitched. I figured it would balance itself as we drove. Nope. It felt funky making turns in one direction and was still loose on one side after towing for several hours. Lesson learned.

 

[Rossue]

Andersen Upgrade Program

After 8 years of it sitting in the garage I reinstalled the Andersen Hitch as we are now carrying two 50# e-Mountain Bikes vs. the former Norco ones that weighed 28# each. After our latest 3K mile trip the setup felt much better than the previous trip with our new bikes & Pro Series WDH. Also, since I replaced our original ETI installed tongue jack with a Bulldog mounted sideways there is no interference with our tailgate even at angled situations. For those with newer Andersen units their current shank has two holes, for different length options, whereas the older ones only have one.

I now realize I was undoing the two screws holding the chains and neoprene bushings on to unhook. A much easier way is to just remove the triangle plate with the one hitch pin. That is very easy to do by using the tongue jack to release the tension on the chains. Even easier with an electric jack of course. That way also eliminates any concern with the triangle plate being square when hitching back up.

For people with the older units with a black triangle plate, Andersen will upgrade you with a new Triangle Plate and WD Anti-Sway Assembly, which is the ball and housing. They upgraded that at some point in the past to keep the friction cone material from seeping out and becoming brittle/noisy. Those retail together at $322 + tax & shipping. With their Upgrade Program Andersen will sell them to you for $100 + tax & Free Shipping.

I sent them pictures of the complete unit so they could have their tech team look to see if the other components were still good and they are. Even though my chain guides have had some wear from the chains it is not substantial enough for any concern and the chains themselves are fine.

They still say to not use any lubricant on the ball as it may seep down onto the friction cone material and compromise the anti-sway ability.