Weight Distribution, Sway, and Tongue Weight

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/8370/thread" timestamp="1427200372" author="@fasteddieb"]Thanks, Charlie!

Since I'm technically in an overloaded conditon, lightening up by 60 lbs would be a nontrivial step in the right direction.

Thanks Surfsup,

But have not some questioned the load-carrying ability of the bumper? Though I admit it sure gives the appearance of being strong enough to support 40 lb, especially if cinched in tight. [/quote][font size="3"]Eddie,

The reduction would actually be 40#, not 60#, but that may still be worth it to you.  As far as the strength of the bumper goes, LL won't say much. I feel it would take the spare, but I can' prove or disprove it with numbers. It all depends on the welds. I'd be inclined to try it with a mount that minimized the moment arm (torque) on the bumper. If something did fail it's unlikely that all the welds would fail at the same time. More likely you'd see some fatigue cracks develop over time so keep a sharp eye on the welds after each trip, especially if you go over rough roads.  Good luck and safe travels.
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[jtelles3993]

Thanks Surfsup, But have not some questioned the load-carrying ability of the bumper? Though I admit it sure gives the appearance of being strong enough to support 40 lb, especially if cinched in tight. 

Mine has the deck out back, so I don't know what the stock bumper is like. The bumper on the deck model is plenty strong for a spare tire carrier, definitely stronger than trying to bolt it to a wall stud..

[canuck]

Hello,

We have been out several times with our new trailer and today finally we installed our Anderson WDH. Towing with out the WDH was fine but but there was definitely some bounce and minor sway. Increased level of wind really affected the quality of the ride, not to fun.

Living in southern Alberta we have very high winds. There is a particular highway that is known to have extreme winds! Well, today was one of them. 

Install was about an hour and we had no major issues, but I did have to add 6" of chain to clear the propane tanks. 

Pulling out of our spot we noticed an immediate difference. The ride quality was great, no bounce at all, even on some rough gravel roads. I am certain that today would have been a White Knuckle ride due to the sustained wind and high wind gusts. The Anderson WDH was perfect! I really could not believe the difference. In perfect driving conditions you may not notice much difference, but when conditions deteriorate that is when you will notice.

A big thank you to all the other members who have taken the time to share their experiences with their own Anderson hitch. My wife and I greatly appreciate it!

D and L

[jtelles3993]

Installed the Andersen in an hour, excellent time Canuck! Now that I've done it once, I could probably install the next one in an hour?

[mitch]

I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on an Anderson hitch; I'm a little confused as to exactly what model to buy for my 13QBB, any guidance?

[jtelles3993]

[quote source="/post/8654/thread" timestamp="1427727290" author="@mitch"]I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on an Anderson hitch; I'm a little confused as to exactly what model to buy for my 13QBB, any guidance?[/quote]Definitely get "universal" brackets if your Popup has the 4" aluminum frame... not sure if you'll need the 4" or 8" drop rise? Most autos, SUVs and even half ton trucks (not all jacked up) use the 4". Call Andersen - they are really REALLY great folks to deal with. My guess is [a href="http://tweetys.com/no-sway-weight-distribution-hitch-4-drop-rise-2-ball-5-6-brackets-3324.aspx"]this[/a] is the one you'll want?

[mitch]

[quote source="/post/8673/thread" timestamp="1427762397" author="@surfsup"][quote source="/post/8654/thread" timestamp="1427727290" author="@mitch"]I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on an Anderson hitch; I'm a little confused as to exactly what model to buy for my 13QBB, any guidance?[/quote]Definitely get "universal" brackets if your Popup has the 4" aluminum frame... not sure if you'll need the 4" or 8" drop rise? Most autos, SUVs and even half ton trucks (not all jacked up) use the 4". Call Andersen - they are really REALLY great folks to deal with. My guess is [a href="http://tweetys.com/no-sway-weight-distribution-hitch-4-drop-rise-2-ball-5-6-brackets-3324.aspx"]this[/a] is the one you'll want?
[/quote]Thanks, I'll give them a call

[mitch]

[quote source="/post/8654/thread" timestamp="1427727290" author="@mitch"]I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on an Anderson hitch; I'm a little confused as to exactly what model to buy for my 13QBB, any guidance?[/quote]Called today and to update for the record, Anderson said model 3324 is the model for me. 

[vrvinmo]

[quote source="/post/8994/thread" timestamp="1428450597" author="@mitch"][quote source="/post/8654/thread" timestamp="1427727290" author="@mitch"]I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on an Anderson hitch; I'm a little confused as to exactly what model to buy for my 13QBB, any guidance?[/quote]Called today and to update for the record, Anderson said model 3324 is the model for me. [/quote]You will love the Andersen. Great hitch, and a great company to do business with. They made a custom plate for me for free because my stock plate was rubbing on the bottom of my 8" frame.  I've probably towed over 5k miles with mine and love it.

[jtelles3993]

We're a little over 2000 miles into our very windy trip and the Andersen has been the star of the show for most of it.

[kycamper]

surfsup

what model did you buy for your you 21 rbs?

I want one too!!

[jtelles3993]

surfsup

what model did you buy for your you 21 rbs?

I want one too!!

 3324

[nmken]

I've just installed my 3324 on the 16 TBS.  I needed to add 3 links to each side to locate the universal brackets behind the propane tanks.  A question for those experienced with this hitch - how does the tension on the chain impact towing?  It seems that it primarily impacts bounce and that tighter chains would reduce bounce and not have much effect on sway control.  Can anyone chime in on this?  I'm trying to figure out just how tight to get the chains - being mindful of the aluminum frame I don't want to overdo it

[jerrybeaird]

[quote timestamp="1429305455" author="@nmken" source="/post/9529/thread"]I've just installed my 3324 on the 16 TBS.  I needed to add 3 links to each side to locate the universal brackets behind the propane tanks.  A question for those experienced with this hitch - how does the tension on the chain impact towing?  It seems that it primarily impacts bounce and that tighter chains would reduce bounce and not have much effect on sway control.  Can anyone chime in on this?  I'm trying to figure out just how tight to get the chains - being mindful of the aluminum frame I don't want to overdo it[/quote]Perfect timing for this question.  I just drove down to Galveston for a long weekend just to try out the Anderson hitch.  There is a tall bridge to the island that was where I experienced the most sway due to wind. I have a 21RBS.

This time, with the Anderson hitch, there was no sway at all.  I have the bushings squished 1/4 in and that seems to be the sweet spot for me.  I used my Sherwood tongue guage and I was running an even 600 lbs of tongue weight, before the Anderson was hitched up.

I measured the front end at the wheel well and after the hitch was all set, it lowered the same mesurement by 1/2 inch, so I know that I should have some weight distribution too.  I don't know how much was transferred though as I did not go by any scales.

I hope this helps.

[djsamuel]

I've just installed my 3324 on the 16 TBS.  I needed to add 3 links to each side to locate the universal brackets behind the propane tanks.  A question for those experienced with this hitch - how does the tension on the chain impact towing?  It seems that it primarily impacts bounce and that tighter chains would reduce bounce and not have much effect on sway control.  Can anyone chime in on this?  I'm trying to figure out just how tight to get the chains - being mindful of the aluminum frame I don't want to overdo it

When I set the chains I was not concerned about weight distribution since my Ram 1500 has no problem with my trailer.  I was searching for the best tow.  The procedure I follow involves lowering the trailer down onto the ball until it is fully seated but not pushing the truck down at all.  Then, after verifying the triangular plate is in the proper position (perpendicular to the axis of the trailer),I tighten both nuts as tight as I can by hand, and then use the wrench to tighten each side three additional turns.  That is my best spot.  I found if they are too loose, there isn't much change in any bouncing, but if they are too tight, the whole rig feels too stiff.