Andersen WDH and Bulldog upgrade to 2 5/16" 12.5K LBS

[jd1923]

For 2 years, I've been wanting to lose the Andersen WDH. I have an older Ram 2500, unlike newer HD 2500s the user manual for my model states to use a WDH hitch when towing over 5000 LBS. Also when I hitch the Oliver, the rear hitch drops 2". Though tighten the WDH and it raises the rear back up to level and it keeps the trailer from “porpoising” from the light Oliver tongue weight.

My Ram has helper springs, part of a Camper Special option, but after  a few posts on the Cummins Forum, I found out that this option was made for truck campers and does not engage when pulling a relatively light trailer. The 25-year-old rear leaf springs are perhaps worn out. The easy out was to continue using the Andersen WDH (for now).

However, I wanted to upgrade to a 2 5/16" and our 10-year-old Bulldog and Andersen had seen their better days. I'm an old-school critic of ridiculous prices today, but I truly believe a total of $200 for this upgrade is very reasonable, for both a new coupler and Andersen ball, It's nice that with Andersen you can upgrade the ball without having to replace the entire hitch assembly.

Pictures show the old parts and new. Do what Andersen suggests in not greasing the ball, since it became obvious that grease on the ball worked is way below bringing dirt along for the ride. The friction cones had flakes of residue and horizontal striations which put wear on both the ball cone and the friction cone. $90 for the Anderson parts and $110 for the best price I could find on the Bulldog from a seller that included free shipping and did not charge out-of-state sales tax!

https://andersenhitches.com/product/wd-tapered-replacement-balls/

https://www.trailerjacks.com/bulldog-collar-lok-trailer-coupler-2-516-ball-12500-lbs-3-channel-tongue-w-high-profile-latch

Edited May 17 by jd1923

[jd1923]

After I got done, I emailed the Andersen rep again and asked if she would mail me a new Andersen label and she replied the next morning, "of course."

Now that everything is clean (used 3M Skotch-Brite pads to sand), you can push down the ball and it grabs  with friction. And you can pull it up and it turns easily (about 4mm free play to the snap ring). If this persists after towing some it will allow for any hitch angle, just lift and turn. I'll let you know. No grease going on this new build and it doesn't matter if the ball looks like it's wearing, it's all solid steel at a rating 2x the GTWR!

Edited May 17 by jd1923

[jd1923]

And here is the Bulldog before and after pics. The OEM gray matches my truck and the labels came off easily. Not easy to drill these holes. They used 1/2" 4" #8 bolts and OTT had drilled 9/16" holes, so I did the same (started with a 1/4" hole and stepped up, using a HD Unibit to finish). I placed them on the workbench side-by-side and used a Sharpie to circle the hole position through the old coupler onto the new one. I was so happy that both bolts pushed through first try! Torqued to 86 lb-ft (11Kg-M), DONE!

[topgun2]

8 hours ago, jd1923 said:

the labels came off easily.

Can we assume that you paid attention to the warning on that label - "do not destroy this label" - and it is presently sitting in a place of honor in your workshop?🤣

Bill

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Can we assume that you paid attention to the warning on that label - "do not destroy this label" - and it is presently sitting in a place of honor in your workshop?🤣 Bill

Thank, Bill. I stuck product label onto the Bulldog paperwork and placed it in my Oliver file. I definitely always remove and trash those stupid warning labels, added for .gov regulations, for the sole purpose of dumbing-down the American people. 🤣