Great review, I've been searching for the right fit for me as im not overally familiar with fifth wheels, and the majority of the videos I watched didn't go into details explaining everything out like this! Appreciate it !
I have the same Andersen hitch, and used it for about 5 years as well. No issues. Works great. Now, our Cedar Creek 5th wheel has the Trail-Air hitch installed. Air bag and shock. I think this combination makes for a very smooth ride. I can see out the back window of the truck, the shock moving up and down as we travel over rough roads and realize all that movement is not being transferred to the truck. wrt the warranty issues, this hitch is NOT a gooseneck connection. Yes, it uses a ball, but the connection between the truck and trailer is the same height as a traditional 5th wheel hitch. Therefore there is no additional stress transferred to the frame of the trailer with this connection. A gooseneck connection has a right angle in the hitch down to the ball that is in the bed of the truck. So now that right angle frame puts different forces on the trailer because the forward and backwards pulling motion is originating at the bottom of this right angle. I think the Gen-Y is a cool idea, but it still has the same right angle forces. My $0.02 for today 😎
Great video. With all the frame flex issues showing on the forums etc., I have an honest question when it comes to 5th wheel campers. Why do the manufacturers just not design and build a camper with a traditional gooseneck instead of 5th wheel pin box to avoid these issues when consumers are trying to convert to a gooseneck style receiver. That way, consumers dont have to worry about having to move a several hundred pound hitch in and out of the truck bed? Thanks for the video.
I quit using it when I got a new camper, but I still like it and would recommend it. I am using the Gen-Y gooseneck hitch now and it is also a great option.
Not sure how old your Anderson hitch is, but I just got this setup last July and the new system has an Allen head screw by the ball to take out that play.
With regards to your video, I have done extensive research as of today related to the stated issues related to frame warranty. I too have the Anderson Ultimate hitch. I am presently having a frame flex issue, internal front compartment being repaired. I contacted my MFGR and they indicated that I am out of manufacture warranty and my extended will not cover it. So this being said, once your warranty is up, the extra warranty that Anderson offered is not applicable. Reports have indicated that they have seen more issues with this hitch and frame flex. The Reese Goosbox is an approved item, yes via Lippert along with the other traditional type 5th wheel hitches. Decision time for sure. I have had zero problems with towing and the Anderson, but is it worth rolling the dice, as repairs are into the thousands nowadays.
A note on the hitch warranties, both the Product Warranty and the Extended Warranty. Both warranties ONLY apply to the ORIGINAL purchaser of the hitch. If you sell your trailer and hitch to a second buyer, the warranties are void. The second buyer would have to purchased a new hitch to be covered by both warranties.
Lippert bad mouths the Anderson is a joke. The reason they don't like Anderson it is there frames are so weak that we now know, they are the ones with frames that are failing, this is why they won't indorse them. I would not buy a Lippert anything. Lippert has screwed over lot s of RV consumers.
8 years now with 2 different Anderson Ultimate hitches. Originally the steel one, now the aluminum. First with a 40' Montana and now with a 30 ft Outdoors RV. Never even once any issues. I'm an Anderson fan-boy all the way. I'll never again to an old school, heavy, steel hitch that requires 2 guys or an overhead winch to remove. No thanks. My wife can (and has) remove the Anderson all by herself.
@@WeekendRVAdventures Still make it. Got one brand new last month for our Cedar Creek we just bought. I have the universal rails in the bed of my truck.
Great review, I've been searching for the right fit for me as im not overally familiar with fifth wheels, and the majority of the videos I watched didn't go into details explaining everything out like this!
Appreciate it !
I just purchased a Reese goose box and it's a very smooth ride. I highly recommend it.
About what do they run? $$$ do they fit in standard rails as I have yet to research. TIA
I have the same Andersen hitch, and used it for about 5 years as well. No issues. Works great. Now, our Cedar Creek 5th wheel has the Trail-Air hitch installed. Air bag and shock. I think this combination makes for a very smooth ride. I can see out the back window of the truck, the shock moving up and down as we travel over rough roads and realize all that movement is not being transferred to the truck. wrt the warranty issues, this hitch is NOT a gooseneck connection. Yes, it uses a ball, but the connection between the truck and trailer is the same height as a traditional 5th wheel hitch. Therefore there is no additional stress transferred to the frame of the trailer with this connection. A gooseneck connection has a right angle in the hitch down to the ball that is in the bed of the truck. So now that right angle frame puts different forces on the trailer because the forward and backwards pulling motion is originating at the bottom of this right angle. I think the Gen-Y is a cool idea, but it still has the same right angle forces. My $0.02 for today 😎
Great video. With all the frame flex issues showing on the forums etc., I have an honest question when it comes to 5th wheel campers. Why do the manufacturers just not design and build a camper with a traditional gooseneck instead of 5th wheel pin box to avoid these issues when consumers are trying to convert to a gooseneck style receiver. That way, consumers dont have to worry about having to move a several hundred pound hitch in and out of the truck bed? Thanks for the video.
Ive used the Andersen hitch since I saw your original video years ago. My next 5th wheel will be either this Andersen hitch or the GenY. Great video.
Thanks! I went with the Gen-Y so far I have been very happy with it too!
good Morning. Just checking to see if your are ysing the Anderson hitch and do you still like it. Jack
I quit using it when I got a new camper, but I still like it and would recommend it. I am using the Gen-Y gooseneck hitch now and it is also a great option.
I agree it’s the ball movement. Other than that no problems yet
Not sure how old your Anderson hitch is, but I just got this setup last July and the new system has an Allen head screw by the ball to take out that play.
Nice improvement. Mine definitely didn't have that.
With regards to your video, I have done extensive research as of today related to the stated issues related to frame warranty. I too have the Anderson Ultimate hitch. I am presently having a frame flex issue, internal front compartment being repaired. I contacted my MFGR and they indicated that I am out of manufacture warranty and my extended will not cover it. So this being said, once your warranty is up, the extra warranty that Anderson offered is not applicable. Reports have indicated that they have seen more issues with this hitch and frame flex. The Reese Goosbox is an approved item, yes via Lippert along with the other traditional type 5th wheel hitches. Decision time for sure. I have had zero problems with towing and the Anderson, but is it worth rolling the dice, as repairs are into the thousands nowadays.
I've been using the Anderson hitch since spring 2022. Never noticed the slack in the ball and receiver. 2021 Cougar 27SGS
Try gen y goosepuck for 4 inch offset and Reese goosebox pinbox for new RV. I wish they made the goosepuck for my truck
Will the adapter on the camper just connect to the gooseneck ball in the truck? I have a raised rail system
Maybe, but your raised rail gooseneck is probably still lower than the Andersen hitch ball.
Add some thin metal shims that will go around the ball to take the slack out.
That would be a good fix, but I feel Andersen should still have a tighter fit from the factory.
A note on the hitch warranties, both the Product Warranty and the Extended Warranty. Both warranties ONLY apply to the ORIGINAL purchaser of the hitch. If you sell your trailer and hitch to a second buyer, the warranties are void. The second buyer would have to purchased a new hitch to be covered by both warranties.
They have a Gen 3 now which is better, I guess.
If that little movement in the ball bothers you, wait until you use a traditional hitch
Has anyone tried adding wood blocks under landing gear just to avoid over use of lift motors
I use Andersen buckets and that does help, but you will always have more movement compared to a traditional hitch.
Sounds like Reese has paid enough money to be approved. They are a much bigger company that can afford paying for approvals.
Call Andersen, they will send you a set screw for free to install, their new version has it already, they sent me one and no more chucking
Thanks for the info.
Anything to get out of backing their product. So sick of the RV industry.
Lippert bad mouths the Anderson is a joke. The reason they don't like Anderson it is there frames are so weak that we now know, they are the ones with frames that are failing, this is why they won't indorse them. I would not buy a Lippert anything. Lippert has screwed over lot s of RV consumers.
8 years now with 2 different Anderson Ultimate hitches. Originally the steel one, now the aluminum. First with a 40' Montana and now with a 30 ft Outdoors RV. Never even once any issues. I'm an Anderson fan-boy all the way. I'll never again to an old school, heavy, steel hitch that requires 2 guys or an overhead winch to remove. No thanks. My wife can (and has) remove the Anderson all by herself.
What is the difference between the steel and the aluminum hitch? I assume weight. Have a used steel that i can source.
Basically the same design, just heavier. I think they stopped making the steel version now.
@@WeekendRVAdventures Still make it. Got one brand new last month for our Cedar Creek we just bought. I have the universal rails in the bed of my truck.