2009 Ram 1500 does a great job with the 21BHS, even without sway control or weight distribution hitch. Added an Andersen WDH mainly for sway control and bounce control, which are the Andersen's strong points. Had a little bounce under certain conditions (such as a small bumpy bridge at 60MPH) and wanted sway control in case I ever hit a situation conducive to sway (such as high crosswinds). Towed it last week with the Andersen hitch and it is outstanding. Provides an extremely solid feel when towing. Other than acceleration, you really can't tell the trailer is back there any more. Another plus, the Andersen hitch does not require the drilling of any holes in the frame.
(http://samuelsoftware.com/CamperandTruckHouse.jpeg)
I was interested in the Andersen WDH (and some of their other products), but I was a little worried about the forces on the coupler. A conventional WDH creates vertical force in the coupler, which is the normal load bearing direction. But the Andersen hitch creates horizontal forces. I suppose that's the same force it would experience during braking, but not all the time. I'm probably just being paranoid, but it's definitely different. Their anti-sway approach looks fantastic though. Are you able to see any noticeable weight being transferred toward the front of your truck, or is it more of a damper?
I thought of the loading as well, but since the Camplites are so light, weight distribution is not an issue for me. So, with the weight off the ball (but the ball in the hitch), I only tighten the chain nuts three turns past finger tight. So when I lower the trailer fully, the trailer sits about perfectly level, a bit higher than without the WDH, but not putting excessive force on the hitch. This makes the chains tight enough for sway control and damping; which as I said is terrific. I did have the chains tighter the first trip out, and there was definitely weight being transferred, but I lessened the distribution a bit to get a more solid but less stiff feel to the truck.
As I researched WDHs, I found that if your main need is weight distribution, the Andersen is not the way to go. However, if you have no to moderate weight distribution needs and your main objective is sway control and bounce damping, than the Andersen excels.
[quote source="/post/54/thread" timestamp="1394215640" author="@djsamuel"]As I researched WDHs, I found that if your main need is weight distribution, the Andersen is not the way to go. However, if you have no to moderate weight distribution needs and your main objective is sway control and bounce damping, than the Andersen excels. [/quote]I think that's a very fair assessment. It also looks really cool :)
[quote source="/post/55/thread" timestamp="1394227103" author="@tinkeringtechie"][quote source="/post/54/thread" timestamp="1394215640" author="@djsamuel"]As I researched WDHs, I found that if your main need is weight distribution, the Andersen is not the way to go. However, if you have no to moderate weight distribution needs and your main objective is sway control and bounce damping, than the Andersen excels. [/quote]I think that's a very fair assessment. It also looks really cool :)[/quote]Yes it does! I like the red bushings. Plus, it is fairly light and very easy to set up.
[quote source="/post/54/thread" timestamp="1394215640" author="@djsamuel"]I thought of the loading as well, but since the Camplites are so light, weight distribution is not an issue for me. So, with the weight off the ball (but the ball in the hitch), I only tighten the chain nuts three turns past finger tight. So when I lower the trailer fully, the trailer sits about perfectly level, a bit higher than without the WDH, but not putting excessive force on the hitch. This makes the chains tight enough for sway control and damping; which as I said is terrific. I did have the chains tighter the first trip out, and there was definitely weight being transferred, but I lessened the distribution a bit to get a more solid but less stiff feel to the truck.
As I researched WDHs, I found that if your main need is weight distribution, the Andersen is not the way to go. However, if you have no to moderate weight distribution needs and your main objective is sway control and bounce damping, than the Andersen excels. [/quote]
Hi, I'm looking to buy a Quicksilver VRV in the near future, and I'm considering a set up like the one you have. I am curious about which size fram brackets did you get? I'm thinking that a little weight distribution and sway control are what I'll want. I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.
[quote source="/post/65/thread" timestamp="1394261269" author="@wluther1"][quote source="/post/54/thread" timestamp="1394215640" author="@djsamuel"]I thought of the loading as well, but since the Camplites are so light, weight distribution is not an issue for me. So, with the weight off the ball (but the ball in the hitch), I only tighten the chain nuts three turns past finger tight. So when I lower the trailer fully, the trailer sits about perfectly level, a bit higher than without the WDH, but not putting excessive force on the hitch. This makes the chains tight enough for sway control and damping; which as I said is terrific. I did have the chains tighter the first trip out, and there was definitely weight being transferred, but I lessened the distribution a bit to get a more solid but less stiff feel to the truck.
As I researched WDHs, I found that if your main need is weight distribution, the Andersen is not the way to go. However, if you have no to moderate weight distribution needs and your main objective is sway control and bounce damping, than the Andersen excels. [/quote]Hi, I'm looking to buy a Quicksilver VRV in the near future, and I'm considering a set up like the one you have. I am curious about which size fram brackets did you get? I'm thinking that a little weight distribution and sway control are what I'll want. I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance. [/quote]I ordered the 4 inch frame brackets but I was sent the multi-size brackets, which are a bit longer with several sets of holes. Worked great. The Andersen hitch should work great with your GMC since you won't need much weight distribution and the Andersen's strengths are sway control and bounce attenuation.
[quote source="/post/69/thread" timestamp="1394280965" author="@djsamuel"][quote source="/post/65/thread" timestamp="1394261269" author="@wluther1"]Hi, I'm looking to buy a Quicksilver VRV in the near future, and I'm considering a set up like the one you have. I am curious about which size fram brackets did you get? I'm thinking that a little weight distribution and sway control are what I'll want. I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance. [/quote]I ordered the 4 inch frame brackets but I was sent the multi-size brackets, which are a bit longer with several sets of holes. Worked great. The Andersen hitch should work great with your GMC since you won't need much weight distribution and the Andersen's strengths are sway control and bounce attenuation.
[/quote]Thanks for the response. I'll look for the multi-size when it is time to order. The truck can handle the tongue weight and total weight, but if I can use something to be even safer, why not? I don't like trailers bouncing around behind me, and I'd feel better with a little sway control going through the mountains.