mdernier

What does your owners manual say? The vehicle and hitch ratings say that I can tow 11,300 lb with a weight distributing hitch (such as the Andersen), but only 5000 lb with a weight bearing hitch. No doubt the axle limits are driving the difference in towing capacity with and without the WDH. I've also got my eye on the payload rating, GVWRs, and GCVWR. With a WDH, the payload is the limiting factor in my set up.

Thank you for the reply. I'm hopeful to have the same experience, although I'll bet loosening the Andersen before pulling up my driveway will be on my standard operating procedures list. : ) "New" Andersen?

You are going to have the time of your life come April and it will be here before you know it. I'm sure looking forward to it! My TV is an F150, V8 with a 3.73 rear. If I go by the vehicle and hitch ratings, I can tow 11,300 lb with a weight distributing hitch (such as the Andersen), but only 5000 lb with a weight bearing hitch. I'm figuring my 2019 LE II will be at most 6000 lb WET. Well, those are the theoretical vehicle and hitch ratings. If the boys and girls over at Ford did their jobs properly, there should be plenty of engineering margin in the numbers - enough so that in real life I could probably tow the LE II without the Andersen. Nevertheless, I'll roll with the WDH for the added safety. Thanks for your post.

"My policy is to loosen the nuts so that there is zero compression on the bushings when venturing into this sort of situation. The trailer and hitch seem much happier." Yes, your post is very helpful. Thank you. Everything that you say makes perfect sense. I believe that my policy will be the same as yours - its the only one available with the Andersen Hitch that I can think of. Thanks again . . . Matthew <><

Hello Forum, I'm new here - taking delivery of an LE II in April 2019. I've sent this question to Andersen (and Oliver) and have never received an answer from either. I'd welcome your comments. It is my understanding that when the Andersen WD hitch is properly adjusted (TV and trailer in-line on a flat surface) the chains and will be in reasonable tension, and the neoprene bushings will be compressed a bit. That would distribute some weight from the rear axle to the front axle of the TV, and some weight onto the trailer axle. Perfect. My question has to do with whether there is a limitation on the departure angle between the TV and trailer. In other words, what happens when the road conditions require the TV or the trailer to begin a significant incline (say 10-15 degrees) ahead of the other. For example, I will need to back the trailer up into my driveway (which is at about a 6 degree incline from the road), and with the crown of the road, the worst case position may be more like 10 degrees. This could also happen at a campsite, or even pulling into a gas station, etc. In my mind, a departure angle of 10 degrees or more would not be taken up by the compression of the neoprene bushings of the Andersen hitch because they just wouldn't have enough elasticity. I'm wondering whether there is a limit on the departure angel (between TV and trailer) that if exceeded would result in too much stress on the components of the Andersen hitch, the TV hitch, and/or the frame of the trailer. Should I be ready to loosen/remove the chains of the Andersen hitch at some maximum departure angle? If so, what is that angle?