Andersen Gooseneck Hitch and Truck Suggestion

[wed]

We like the F350 and B&W hitch it comes out and easy to service.

[Last2Die]

I know in California the Anderson hitch chains are required by law. If it was a standard 5th wheel hitch chains are not required. The chains are like 80$ on amazon. CW parts manager gave me the chains , and installed them for free. It is a pretty awesome hitch super light weight.

[Wicked1]

Originally Posted by ebds2019

Hi again folks. We just bought our Montana 3810MS 5th wheel. Now I need to trade in my my almost new 1/2 ton for something that can handle 2800lbs of pin weight and can tow 15-16K pounds.

So....... two questions:

1. Suggestions for a truck that has sufficient payload rating to handle 5 people, the 2800lb pin weight, and pull a 15 or 16K lb 5th wheel safely and pretty much anywhere in the continental US you can drive an RV?

2. I am interested in the Andersen Aluminum gooseneck hitch. I want to be able to remote it when we're not towing and have the use of my truck bed. I am interested in hearing from anyone who uses one and I am also interested in knowing what a fair price would be to installed the gooseneck ball in a truck if the truck does not already have one. Also, Andersen says their hitch works with a short bed truck. I would like to acquire a short bed truck but I am interested in getting assurance that I won't run into a problem.

Thanks everyone,
Rob

We Love the Andersen, very easy to setup and so much easier to take in and out since my TV is my Daily Driver.

We bought a 2018 Montana 3121RL and I have a 2016 F350 Crew SB 6.7 with 3307 payload and 15700 max tow. The Monty is 2385 Pin and 11890 dry so I would go to at least a Dually with the unit you bought, IMHO just to be safe with that much more weight and ppl we only travel wife and I so we are under vehicle payload and Max To by a nice safety margin

[Wicked1]

Originally Posted by ebds2019

What do you mean by "short bed you only have one choice"?

I have the short bed and when you install the Andersen the Hitch ball has to be closest to the tailgate with the longer bed you can flip it around so the ball is closer to the truck cab. We can only tow with our Ford 6’9” SB with the hitch ball closer to the tailgate, otherwise the front cap may touch the cab of the truck

[WKN]

I have the exact Montana. I have a 2018 Ford F-350. I love this truck. Plenty of power and handles great. I also have the Anderson aluminum hitch. I love it also. It is lite and easy to take in and out of the truck. Some say it’s hard to line up to your 5th wheel when hooking up but I don’t have any problems

[sberlin]

I have only used the Anderson on a short bed so don't know any different. It's the best thing since sliced bread. Takes 1 minute to install or remove and at about 40lbs is easy to manage. I have never had any issues and can pretty much turn 90 degrees in my GMC 3500HD. There's some who believe this violates the frame warranty but I have not seen any proof of that nor aware of anyone who actually had a frame issue. Combined with the Anderson $5M warranty I tow with confidence.

[Mark N.]

I love my Andersen hitch. I've owned 2 of them now and I am probably responsible for at least 8 or 10 people converting to them from their "old school" 300 lb hitches after watching me with mine. To those that say you "can't do a 90 degree jack turn with the Anderson": If you are doing that to your trailer, remind me to never buy a used trailer from you.

[GreG L.]

As I get older I worry bought stupid things like unhooking without putting down the jacks (seen a couple of posts on that), not possible with the Andersen.

[pacbj]

I have a 375FL High Country behind a short bed 2018 F250. Andersen on an B & W turnover ball. Tows great and definitely no problems with the hitch! I’ve not run into any problems with my short bed either. Remember though, the Ford short bed is 6’-9”. I think the Dodge and Chevy are shorter. You definitely need a 1 ton to haul what you have. I have $1500 total in my hitch setup. My turnover ball was ~$750 installed. The Andersen was recommended by both of my neighbors that haul for Star fleet. Hope this helps you out.

[Wicked1]

Dodge and GM trucks are only 6’5” only Ford has a SB length of 6’9”

[Ed C]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

I know in California the Anderson hitch chains are required by law.

Please let me know where I can find this info. I was of the understanding tha California did NOT require chains.

Thanks!

[Ed C]

I used to have an F250, and purchased a 2019 Montana 3700LK. Wow, I now exceeded the payload rating by 2600 lbs, in addition to the GCVWR, Rear Axle rating, tire ratings, etc. So, I had to buy a one ton dually. Was not happy about that - I would have bought a lighter 5ver. I towed the Monty just fine with the 250, but it was not safe or legal. Weighed the whole set-up, and found how overweight I was. I have attached the spreadsheet that shows both the F250 and F350DRW ratings and actuals. Go with a one ton DRW.


When I purchased the Monty, I went with the Anderson hitch, mainly for the light weight. It was a real chore getting the Pull Rite hitch in and out of the bed. Now it is a 5 minute job, with only 35 pounds. No chucking or swaying. I have the BW gooseneck hitch, in both the F250 and F350!


BTW, I have an F250 King Ranch for sale!

[Theunz]

Originally Posted by Ed C

Please let me know where I can find this info. I was of the understanding tha California did NOT require chains.

Thanks!

I would think that any state that required safety chains for a gooseneck would also require them for an Andersen. I doubt you will find any law specifically mentioning the Andersen.

[mhs4771]

My guess would be that the requirement would have to do with anything that has a Ball Hitch would need chains and the Anderson is a Ball Hitch.

[Theunz]

Actually the Andersen is a two ball hitch.

[PNW Fireguy]

The Anderson website lists the states that they are aware of that require the safety chains.

[Ed C]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

The Anderson website lists the states that they are aware of that require the safety chains.

This is from the Anderson website:
"Do I have to have safety chains for my Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection?

This is kind of a grey area. We were tested as a fifth wheel hitch and are approved as a fifth wheel hitch. According to DOT regulations because it is a fifth wheel hitch we does not need safety chains. However we do utilize a gooseneck ball to secure the fifth wheel hitch into place creating a solid base with no moving points. On conventional gooseneck trailers chains are required due to the latching mechanism on the gooseneck trailer. The Andersen Ultimate Connection does not utilize a latch nor does it pivot at the point of the ball. Our unconventional setup is much like the OEM puck system that is utilized to accept fifth wheel hitches sold in the newer trucks today.

Unfortunately it is up to the DOT office to interpret the regulations and laws. We have only heard of one case, out of the 35,000 units that we have on the road today, where the DOT officer insisted on having the customer add safety chains to his setup. For this reason we do offer safety chains (part # 3230) for our Ultimate Connection."

[Theunz]

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, than.....

[Wicked1]

Originally Posted by Theunz

I would think that any state that required safety chains for a gooseneck would also require them for an Andersen. I doubt you will find any law specifically mentioning the Andersen.

I spoke to Jason from Andersen about this and he said only t states they have heard this being an issue was California and Indiana, otherwise he said has not heard anything else.

Keep in mind last time I spoke to him about this was a year ago, but he never heard of anyone getting a ticket just a warning, but there may be other states that don’t consider the Andersen to be a true 5th wheel hitch but I would be hard pressed to think anyone would know if you happen to get pulled over.

If I had to use a traditional 5th wheel hitch with my F350 as a daily driver I would just quit camping bc I would need a slider and that is close to 275lbs to keep pulling in and out of my bed

[Theunz]

I think the chances of getting stopped for no safety chains on an Andersen is pretty slim. I also think that your trailer coming loose from the hitch is just as slim. If it did happen to come loose and injure or kill someone, I'd hate to be the lawyer trying to convince a jury that it is a fifth wheel hitch and doesn't require safety chains. For those reasons, and because they can be added for well under $100 I added them to mine.