Wanting a new 5th wheel hitch

[gjetzen]

I am in the market for a new 5th wheel hitch, my old Reese is 15 years old and has seen better days and it is time for a replacement.
I am between 2 hitches

A) Demco Premier Hijacker 21K rail mount

B) Reese 20K Select Towpower rail mount (the one with the Elite head).

I want a hitch with a pivioting head and a single wrap around jaw that fits ISR rails.
I do not want dual or clamshell jaws or a single locking bar.
Cost is only a minor concern.

I have looked at B & W and Pullrite and neither fit my criteria

There is also a new Reese M class hitch. I would consider one of those if the ISR legs are available (don't think the are)

[prndl]

I have a Demco Recon 21K and use it with a Sidewinder 5th airborn inbox.
It is great.

[BB_TX]

I have had a Reese Elite puck mount (but not the Select Towpower) for 7 years and very happy with it. Same head but different base??

[gjetzen]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

I have had a Reese Elite puck mount (but not the Select Towpower) for 7 years and very happy with it. Same head but different base??

Yep same head, different legs

[klewis6787]

I have a Husky 26KW for our 2015 Ford F350 Puck system but they have others. It works great with 1 wrap around jaw and pivoting head.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by gjetzen

I am in the market for a new 5th wheel hitch, my old Reese is 15 years old and has seen better days and it is time for a replacement.
I am between 2 hitches

A) Demco Premier Hijacker 21K rail mount

B) Reese 20K Select Towpower rail mount (the one with the Elite head).

I want a hitch with a pivioting head and a single wrap around jaw that fits ISR rails.
I do not want dual or clamshell jaws or a single locking bar.
Cost is only a minor concern.

I have looked at B & W and Pullrite and neither fit my criteria

There is also a new Reese M class hitch. I would consider one of those if the ISR legs are available (don't think the are)

Have you considered the Andersen hitch they have the steel version, which I have that fits the ISR rails. 20K weight rating, and 4500 pin rating

[gjetzen]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

Have you considered the Andersen hitch they have the steel version, which I have that fits the ISR rails. 20K weight rating, and 4500 pin rating

Nope would not consider one. You may really like yours but JMO, it's an accident looking for a place to happen.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by gjetzen

Nope would not consider one. You may really like yours but JMO, it's an accident looking for a place to happen.

Well you know how opinions are ,everyone has one

But opinions are not facts, so what is it you base your OPINIONS on, I know there has been some issues with Aluminum Andersen, BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels .

Absolutely no issues with the steel version rail mount . My point is, this is how this kind of nonsense gets started. Sometimes we are better served then giving opinions on something we know nothing about . Just saying .

[gjetzen]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

Well you know how opinions are ,everyone has one

But opinions are not facts, so what is it you base your OPINIONS on, I know there has been some issues with Aluminum Andersen, BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels .

Absolutely no issues with the steel version rail mount . My point is, this is how this kind of nonsense gets started. Sometimes we are better served then giving opinions on something we know nothing about . Just saying .

I set specific criteria as to what kind of hitch I was interested in and while you opinion is valued so should mine. And by the way you are uninformed about accidents and damage on 5th wheels caused by an Anderson hitch.
Next.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by gjetzen

I set specific criteria as to what kind of hitch I was interested in and while you opinion is valued so should mine. And by the way you are uninformed about accidents and damage on 5th wheels caused by an Anderson hitch.
Next.

You are referring to someone rear ending a box trailer, and the Andersen supposedly failing. They claim is was the Andersen, so in a panic stop, and you lock up the brakes on truck ,and trailer, and hit the person in front of you, then blame it on the hitch. Lots of factors there, the big one they hit the vehicle in from of them, whats going to happen ????

Take the case of B&W hitch failure, those hitches are worshipped, it twisted apart when a fifth wheel rolled, thats great, the truck did not roll. Take that hitch, and a 14K fifth wheel ,and rear end someone ,and see how things turn out. My point there is nothing good going to happen in most accidents with a fifth wheel.

Do a research on Curt hitches, just saying .

And on opinions ,none was given from me. I asked if you considered a Andersen hitch, I gave you no opinions on it, nor asked for any, or any product bashing.

[Arky]

I also have a Anderson hitch, I understand theres a lot of good hitches, I like the fact with a 6'4 bed I can have have my 50 gal transfer flow fuel tank and my hard top cover with my Anderson hitch, and under 40 pounds it is light enough to install and uninstall without help, and there's not a hitch on the market thats stronger. No greasy mess, zero noise.

[Patyacht]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

Well you know how opinions are ,everyone has one

But opinions are not facts, so what is it you base your OPINIONS on, I know there has been some issues with Aluminum Andersen, BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels .

Absolutely no issues with the steel version rail mount . My point is, this is how this kind of nonsense gets started. Sometimes we are better served then giving opinions on something we know nothing about . Just saying .

I've had both the Anderson and 2 Demco Autoslide Hijackers 21k. So I'm speaking from personal experience and not opinion! Your statement that "BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels." for the Anderson hitch is totally incorrect. I'll leave it at that for the Anderson.
Reference the 2 - 21k Demco's I've owned, the 1st being the older design and the 2nd being the newer design (better capture plate), I've had no issues at all. I currently am using the 21k Demco Autoslide.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by Patyacht

I've had both the Anderson and 2 Demco Autoslide Hijackers 21k. So I'm speaking from personal experience and not opinion! Your statement that "BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels." for the Anderson hitch is totally incorrect. I'll leave it at that for the Anderson.
Reference the 2 - 21k Demco's I've owned, the 1st being the older design and the 2nd being the newer design (better capture plate), I've had no issues at all. I currently am using the 21k Demco Autoslide.

These threads that turn into Andersen bashing threads just crack me up.
SOOOOO many statements based on third and forth party opinions. So there facts right? LOL or maybe the end user was just stupid and has always needed help with things.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by Patyacht

I've had both the Anderson and 2 Demco Autoslide Hijackers 21k. So I'm speaking from personal experience and not opinion! Your statement that "BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels." for the Anderson hitch is totally incorrect. I'll leave it at that for the Anderson.
Reference the 2 - 21k Demco's I've owned, the 1st being the older design and the 2nd being the newer design (better capture plate), I've had no issues at all. I currently am using the 21k Demco Autoslide.

Thats an interesting statement, I mean yours on this " BUT NO accidents or damage to truck or fifth wheels " for the Andersen hitch is totally incorrect. " I'll leave it at that. WOW !!!!

Here's the problem with your statement, ,another bash, unless some facts, lets hear the damage, you mentioned fact ,not opinion, well its still opinion or whatever unless you state the facts .

Okay we got an accident where the driver blames the Andersen hitch failure on his inability to stop in time, thats a tough one to blame the hitch, he was in a panic stop, and rear ended the vehicle in front of him.

We had a guy on the RV Net forum blame the Andersen adapter on bending his pin box, where it was mounted, thats a first on that ,and the only one I know of. We know of one or possibly two, but I have only heard of one where the tubes started to bend, no damage to truck ,and trailer.

Now we have had some reports of bed deflection , same as what was going on with the B&W goose mounted hitch, solution shims in the valley of bed.

So it comes down to whatever damage to truck, and fifth wheel that you have experienced or know of with the Andersen hitch

And I will repeat conventional hitches have caused more damage to fifth wheel ,and trucks then Andersen will ever do, and the conventional's will continue to do damage.

[Mark N.]

Originally Posted by gjetzen

Nope would not consider one. You may really like yours but JMO, it's an accident looking for a place to happen.

Know this: For every incident with an Andersen hitch, I promise you I can post one (or several) equal incidents with ANY OTHER hitch. That's a fact. I've done it several times with others who are mechanical engineer wannabes on different forums. Go ahead and test it if you please. You post an incident with an Andersen hitch, and I'll respond with one about an old-school steel failure. I'm ready. I've already got the pictures and report saved from last debate about this topic. For your own peace of mind, PLEASE don't get the Andersen. That would be stupid of you. But (just like the anti-vaccers in this country) your argument is on the wrong side of the facts and I come out swinging when people try to state a belief as a fact. I have no particular love for the Andersen Engineering company. I've simply owned 2 of the Andersen Ultimate hitches over the last 7 years, steel and now aluminum and and my purchases were done with tons and tons or research on all hitches, with the advice of an actual, not-kidding-around, mechanical engineer son-in-law. I would never in a million years go back to an old school, 300 lbs of pig iron in my bed truck style hitch . But heck, we all know aluminum isn't strong enough, right? That's why an Air Force C-5 cargo jet can lift a 500,000 lb. combat cargo load with ease. Because it's almost ENTIRELY aluminum. So, post your Andersen failures and I'll respond right back with my own examples.

[kjmcdowell77]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

Have you considered the Andersen hitch they have the steel version, which I have that fits the ISR rails. 20K weight rating, and 4500 pin rating

We put in an Anderson hitch when we bought our Montana last year and have been very happy with it. If you just get close with the pin box over the ball, it will align itself and slide down into position. It really pulls well without any jerking or handling problems. We have the Aluminum version as our High Country is only rated for 14,000 pounds loaded and it really has been a good hitch for us so far. Not only that, I can remove it by myself using a 15/16 socket and a Crescent wrench and stow it in the basement of the coach. Takes about five minutes to put it in or take it out.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by kjmcdowell77

We put in an Anderson hitch when we bought our Montana last year and have been very happy with it. If you just get close with the pin box over the ball, it will align itself and slide down into position. It really pulls well without any jerking or handling problems. We have the Aluminum version as our High Country is only rated for 14,000 pounds loaded and it really has been a good hitch for us so far. Not only that, I can remove it by myself using a 15/16 socket and a Crescent wrench and stow it in the basement of the coach. Takes about five minutes to put it in or take it out.

Many people are happy with them, 99% of the bashing comes from people who have never owned nor towed with one.

I find no issues with it, the Aluminum version has had a couple issues, which Andersen redesigned . I have the steel version attached to a reese picture adapter that fits the fifth wheel prep on my 2014 Ram 3500. I had a 18K Reese hitch when I bought the Ram that fit the ISR rails , the reason for the adapter, and the reason why I went the steel version .


The damage with the Andersen was brought up by the OP. The conventional fifth wheel hitches have done far more damage to fifth wheels , and trucks from the simple fact that you can drop a fifth wheel on the bed of a truck. That is something that can't be done with a Andersen.

[scottkeen]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

(ship)
The conventional fifth wheel hitches have done far more damage to fifth wheels , and trucks from the simple fact that you can drop a fifth wheel on the bed of a truck. That is something that can't be done with a Andersen.

I had just heard of this for the first time from a friend who was out in the desert when I guy showed up with a Montana 5th wheel, the guy unlocked the pin from the conventional 5th wheel hitch, pulled forward, and the trailer crashed down on the guys truck bed.

Since I've never owned a conventional 5th wheel hitch (the Andersen is my first and only hitch), what causes this to happen? Is this caused by forgetting to put the landing gear down? Yikes.

[Joe Hollars]

I have a beautiful Curt Q24, 24,000lb hitch for sale.
Private message me if you are interested.
Joe

[gjetzen]

Originally Posted by Joe Hollars

I have a beautiful Curt Q24, 24,000lb hitch for sale.
Private message me if you are interested.
Joe

Interested, where is the hitch located??