Anderson Hitch Questions

[Igoo65]

This question is directed mainly at Ford F250/350 owners that are using the Anderson Ultimate hitch.
I am going from a Dodge 3500 with a flat bed, using the Anderson hitch to a 2020 F350 with the short bed. I am planning on staying with the Anderson.
My question is, for the Ford owners that fall into this category, Are you having any clearance issues with the cab of the truck coming in contact with the cap of the Montana. I have a 2007 3000RK and it has the cutbacks in the front cap.
Actually anyone that has a short bed using the Anderson, I wouldn't mind getting your input.
Thanks,
Igoo65

[Bsorge]

I have one in my 2016 Ram Short bed. No clearance problems at all. I can basically jackknife my camper with no problem. I like the Anderson hitch because it does move the camper mount back.

[jsb5717]

Same here, RAM short box. No issues turning or backing. I haven't tried turning 90 degrees but I haven't needed to and it's not good for the suspension. I've always been able to turn as sharply as I've needed to. I still pay attention just in case.

[Firefowl]

I can get almost 90 degrees with RAM short box mega cab and Anderson hitch.

[Theunz]

I love my Anderson on my 2017 Chevy Short bed. I also realize that I MUST pay attention every time I back up or make a tight turn going forward. I also realize that dips and holes can suddenly move the nose closer to the cab. If you can live within those parameters then you will be happy with the Anderson. If not then you need to spring for an auto slider. A manual slider just offers a false sense of security, as the one time you don’t move it is the time you should have. I had a manual slider for 10 years and probably only used it about four times. It was always easier to just make a couple of extra moves then to slide it!
Since you already have one I suggest you try it on your new truck and then decide.

[Pops8]

I bought the Andersen for use with my first TV, a 2016 F350 srw short bed. Never had a clearance issue but I never took it for granted. I got to about 90* once with it. Will try not to do it again just to avoid the stress put on the tires/axles. When I moved to the dually kept the hitch. Love everything about it and of course there’s no clearance issue with an 8’ bed.

PS: I traded TV due to payload issue not for bed length.

[Igoo65]

Thanks everyone for the information.

[432bartman]

Using my Anderson with my standard bed 2020 Chevy 2500, with zero issues on clearance. Love it. You should be good-to-go on the new truck.

[dfb]

2017 ram shortbed.. trailer and truck met breaking window and damaging cab of truck. We were using the anderson..

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by dfb

2017 ram shortbed.. trailer and truck met breaking window and damaging cab of truck. We were using the anderson..

That's a huge bummer. We all know that it can happen even though it's rare.

What trailer were you pulling at the time? Were there other circumstances at play like uneven ground causing unusual angles at just the wrong time? Just plain turning too tightly? It would be interesting to know what happened.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by dfb

2017 ram shortbed.. trailer and truck met breaking window and damaging cab of truck. We were using the anderson..

Your experience is one that I worried about (and still do) with this new setup. However, on my last trip while looking for a fillup I ended up on a little undivided 4 lane which turned to 2 lanes and had to make a U turn if I ever wanted to get off that little rural road. I obviously had to swing wide, and a couple of cars had to slow down but I made that U with the truck/trailer as close to 90 as I ever want to be again. DW and I were both riveted on watching the front of the trailer and it didn't look like it would ever hit even if I had kept turning unless I exceeded 90. Didn't want to do it and don't intend to do it again - I was literally trying to pull the tires off the rims which is poor planning IMO.

How is your hitch set up? Have you got it extended to the rear?

[jsb5717]

Danny, I believe the noses of our trailers are pretty much the same with similar trucks. I haven't ever come even close to hitting either. I've got the Andersen cup set forward of the pin and the hitch ball set to the rear.

If someone actually dings the back of their truck it could be helpful to others to know how it might have happened.

[Igoo65]

jsb5717,
Could you post a picture of your hitch set up.?I don't think I am following you on how you have your hitch.
Thanks,
Igoo65

[jsb5717]

My hitch isn't currently in my truck. I am set up with a turnover ball in my truck and I have the hitch that connects with that. You can install the hitch so that the ball is either behind or in front of the turnover ball. Mine is behind and noted in the instructions below. You can also set the coupler in front of or behind the pin on the pin box. Mine is in front. That set up allows me the farthest set back I can get. The center of the turnover ball is installed about 4" behind center of axle. The hitch set's back another 5". Towing I am about 9" set back from my hitch (13" behind my axle) and in a tight turn my tightest pivot point is about 9" behind my axle.

Here is from Andersen's literature: Also a pic of my coupler

[Igoo65]

Thanks, I understand now.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

My hitch isn't currently in my truck. I am set up with a turnover ball in my truck and I have the hitch that connects with that. You can install the hitch so that the ball is either behind or in front of the turnover ball. Mine is behind and noted in the instructions below. You can also set the coupler in front of or behind the pin on the pin box. Mine is in front. That set up allows me the farthest set back I can get. The center of the turnover ball is installed about 4" behind center of axle. The hitch set's back another 5". Towing I am about 9" set back from my hitch (13" behind my axle) and in a tight turn my tightest pivot point is about 9" behind my axle.

Here is from Andersen's literature: Also a pic of my coupler

This is the way mine is set up as well. I initially worried about contact with the sides of the bed but I've not had that problem either.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Igoo65

This question is directed mainly at Ford F250/350 owners that are using the Anderson Ultimate hitch.
I am going from a Dodge 3500 with a flat bed, using the Anderson hitch to a 2020 F350 with the short bed. I am planning on staying with the Anderson.
My question is, for the Ford owners that fall into this category, Are you having any clearance issues with the cab of the truck coming in contact with the cap of the Montana. I have a 2007 3000RK and it has the cutbacks in the front cap.
Actually anyone that has a short bed using the Anderson, I wouldn't mind getting your input.
Thanks,
Igoo65

Igoo65,

I don't have a Ford, but it's a simple measurement, if you want to know if there's the potential that you'll hit or not.

Drop the Andersen hitch on the ball of your truck, and then meausre from the centerline of the ball to the cab of your truck. If that distance is LESS than 1/2 the width of your 5er (should be 48" (96"/2)), you'll be fine, in almost all situations. Still need to watch very closely when turning tight and going thru dips. If it's less than 48", you can hit your cab, but you most likely still need to be cranked pretty hard to make that happen. If you are less than 48", then you need to decide what your comfort level is.

I personally never want that dimension to be less than 1/2 the width, ever. In my mind, it's not worth the risk, so I would look for other options. YMMV.

Good luck with whatever you decide, and enjoy the new truck! That thing is going to be a towing beast!!

[mswanson01]

If you have any concerns about the clearance, Aderson does make an offset stinger that you can get that will move your trailer back about 8 inches. I've used both. They work great....

[RETCHIEF]

I had a Ram short bed and a rail-mount Andersen. I mounted the hitch with the ball to the rear and the coupler on the pin in the front position. It had tons of room.

[dfb]

Pulling 2015 montana 3610rl.. backing to my right .. trailer on driveway, truck in street.. Did a 90 and they hit. Truck , 2017 Ram 3500 srw, megacab..morris auto body did repairs..did not claim but paid out of pocket.. under 2000.00, but truck was new..