Andersen Weight distribution hitch - Anybody use one?

[newbury]

Just as I was about to buy the equal-i-zer I stumbled across the Andersen .

I discussed in this thread my problems with my spacing for the trunion bars

This uses chains instead of trunion bars.

Has anyone used them?

Do they work?

I called them up and they said I could shorten the chain by a few inches under 27", or lengthen it by any length, which I want to do. So any TBN input would be appreciated.

 

[msb1766]

I have had one for a few years now and it is great. Very easy to hookup and unhook, the no-sway is great also. This year on our way to camping the wind was blowing about 30-40 mph the camper never swayed.
I pull a hybrid camper that weighs about 5000 pounds.
It feels like the truck and camper are one. Never felt that way with the the spring bars. It also eliminated the bounce that came with the spring bars.
No more grease to ruin your clothes and no more noise either.

 

[hawkeye08]

I don't have one but my impression from reading forums about them is that they work great for perhaps 7500 lb and under, but when you go heavier, they are not able to transfer the weight effectively... JMHO

 

[schmism]

the way traditional WD hitches work they develop a moment around the hitch generated by the spring force in the bars.

the chains are incapable of doing that action as such i see no way that they can effectively generate the moment required to effectively transfer any weight forward of the rear axle.

 

[bcp]

the way traditional WD hitches work they develop a moment around the hitch generated by the spring force in the bars.

the chains are incapable of doing that action as such i see no way that they can effectively generate the moment required to effectively transfer any weight forward of the rear axle.

Imagine a traditional bar going straight down about a foot, with no bend. Then pull the end rearward with a chain. That's how it works. It is like the traditional system rotated 90 degrees, with a shorter bar and longer chain. The spring action is in the urethane cushion at the rear of the chain.

Bruce

 

[scrappy isb67]

the way traditional WD hitches work they develop a moment around the hitch generated by the spring force in the bars.

the chains are incapable of doing that action as such i see no way that they can effectively generate the moment required to effectively transfer any weight forward of the rear axle.

Imagine a traditional bar going straight down about a foot, with no bend. Then pull the end rearward with a chain. That's how it works. It is like the traditional system rotated 90 degrees, with a shorter bar and longer chain. The spring action is in the urethane cushion at the rear of the chain.

Bruce

conventional W/D has a 2-3 ft lever(the length of the bars) spring to transfer the weight. this only has MAYBE a 6" lever to support the weight, it will not be as effective as the conventional system and not as forgiving to uneven surfaces.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Yeah, I'm not seeing the advantage either, although I wouldn't try to talk you out of it if you like the Andersen.

I love WD, but the traditional spring bar setup has its drawbacks - installation and removal, as well as knocking a bar loose on really tight turns. (lesson learned!)

How do you hook up the Andersen? Does it have to be re-tensioned everytime you hook up to the trailer?

 

[newbury]

Yeah, I'm not seeing the advantage either, although I wouldn't try to talk you out of it if you like the Andersen.

I love WD, but the traditional spring bar setup has its drawbacks - installation and removal, as well as knocking a bar loose on really tight turns. (lesson learned!)

How do you hook up the Andersen? Does it have to be re-tensioned everytime you hook up to the trailer?

Well I won't find out. I went amd bought the Equal-I-zer and took off my trailer tongue box.