Tonyjas Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 We just purchased an F-250 after towing our 2018 Elite 2 for 3 years with an F-150. After contacting the Andersen service folks they recommend purchasing a new 2 1/2" receiver/shank instead of a 2 1/2" sleeve. What have other owners done if you still plan on using the W.D. with with a 3/4 ton truck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Davies Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Welcome to the forums! Get the larger "rack" (stinger), if you install a sleeve it will provide more room for rattles and clunks. Its is always best to keep the number of parts to a minimum. But I have to ask, why are you even bothering with the Andersen? It is NOT needed with a HD pickup. Try towing with a simple dead weight ball and drop mount, rated for 7000 pounds or more. It will most likely be perfectly fine. Sell your Andersen on Craigslist. John Davies Spokane WA 1 SOLD 07/23 "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townesw Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 If you are determined to use the Anderson you can use a sleeve (it’s there, you can’t see it) on the shank and a Hitch Vise to eliminate the rattle. I used this set up (without the chains and plate) on my 3/4 ton until I had a custom ball mount made. I still use the Hitch Vise with my 2.5 inch ball mount. It’s machined from a solid piece of 1018 CR steel square stock. The setback on it is 1 inch shorter than the Anderson mount, and I may reduce it more. It has a 5/8 inch drop as shown and a 7/8 inch drop if flipped. With truck and trailer loaded the trailer rides slightly nose down. Bill and Martha 2018 LEII Hull 313 Original owners 3/14/2018 2019 Chevrolet 2500HD Duramax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators topgun2 Posted November 18, 2021 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2021 Mossemi put me on to the Hitch Vise a couple of years ago. I did double nut the two bolts that hold it on the receiver just to make sure that it didn't come loose. It is a great product to help eliminate rattles and slop in that area. But, back to the Andersen - while there are a couple of people that still use the WDH with a 3/4 ton truck, the vast majority do not. Bill 2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist" Near Asheville, NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Davies Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 32 minutes ago, Townesw said: FYI, place a 12 inch bungee cord on top of the ball mount, and hook the ends to your chains. No more dragging and rusting! That is a nice clean setup, I like it. John Davies Spokane WA 1 1 SOLD 07/23 "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank C Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 I dumped the Andersen when I upgraded to our F-250. I purchased a 2-1/2” stinger mount and it’s all worked great. The towing, tongue weight and cargo capacity ratings of the F-250 are all way more than sufficient for the Elite II, and the F-250 has electronic trailer sway control. So the Andersen hitch isn’t needed for weight distribution or anti-sway. Our previous tow vehicles were a Ford Expedition (very similar to the F-150 in all towing specs) and a Nissan Armada, and both of those vehicles needed the Andersen hitch for weight distribution to meet the tongue weight limit. Some will say to use the Andersen even with an F-250 for additional safety but Andersen’s instructions very clearly state to TURN OFF any tow vehicle electronic sway control so the Andersen is actually counterproductive if your tow vehicle doesn’t need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyjas Posted November 18, 2021 Author Share Posted November 18, 2021 Thank-you for some solid advise. The pictures are very helpful! I could use a set of rock tamers like those. Amazon? I was going to keep the W.D. hitch and disconnect the ant-sway on the F-250, but not anymore. New truck/new hitch. I also need to change out the safety chains or at least the snap hooks. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townesw Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 I used Columbus McKinnon 3/8” G70 clevis slip hooks (WLL 6600 lbs) because they fit the holes in the hitch and Columbus McKinnon 3/8” G70 transport chain (WLL 6600 lbs) because it fit the hooks. I had some stainless steel spacers turned to 1.360” diameter, one at 1.740” long, two at 0.55” long, and two at 0.30” long. A hole bored through the spacers fits a 1/2 bolt. The 1.740” spacer just slips inside the tongue when the hitch bolts are loosened. The bolt is a 1/2 inch grade 8 because I didn’t want to enlarge the holes in the tongue. The unthreaded portion of the bolt extends almost to the outside edge of the last SS spacer. The middle photo shows the bolt before I shortened it and a regular nut for fitting purposes. I cut the excess threads off, secured it with a new Nylock nut and covered it with a new Radolid VCI nut cap. 1 Bill and Martha 2018 LEII Hull 313 Original owners 3/14/2018 2019 Chevrolet 2500HD Duramax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank C Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 54 minutes ago, Tonyjas said: Thank-you for some solid advise. The pictures are very helpful! I could use a set of rock tamers like those. Amazon? I was going to keep the W.D. hitch and disconnect the ant-sway on the F-250, but not anymore. New truck/new hitch. I also need to change out the safety chains or at least the snap hooks. Any suggestions? I use a couple quick links on the receiver frame slots to make it easier to connect the safety cable snap hooks. And yes, the Rock Tamers are from Amazon, but make sure you get the set with a 2-1/2” yoke to fit the 2-1/2” stinger. Stainless Steel 316 Quick Link 1/2" (12mm) Marine Grade https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS5C49E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R0TD0D7KRVPQPBAJ0HXF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Mike and Carol Posted November 19, 2021 Moderators Share Posted November 19, 2021 When I went from a Ram 1500 to a Ram 2500 I stopped using the Andersen. I bought a quality hitch that fits the 2.5” receiver without a sleeve. It has made hitching and unhitching a lot easier and faster! Mike 1 Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna and Jim Y. Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 On 11/18/2021 at 3:21 PM, FrankC said: I dumped the Andersen when I upgraded to our F-250. I purchased a 2-1/2” stinger mount and it’s all worked great. The towing, tongue weight and cargo capacity ratings of the F-250 are all way more than sufficient for the Elite II, and the F-250 has electronic trailer sway control. So the Andersen hitch isn’t needed for weight distribution or anti-sway. Our previous tow vehicles were a Ford Expedition (very similar to the F-150 in all towing specs) and a Nissan Armada, and both of those vehicles needed the Andersen hitch for weight distribution to meet the tongue weight limit. Some will say to use the Andersen even with an F-250 for additional safety but Andersen’s instructions very clearly state to TURN OFF any tow vehicle electronic sway control so the Andersen is actually counterproductive if your tow vehicle doesn’t need it. https://visitedstatesmap.com/image/ALGAMOTNmed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna and Jim Y. Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 We pick up our new Oliver II on January 13th and have a 2018 Ford Expedition Max 4x4. Hoping that will be ok to pull with. It does have the trailer package. I'm curious about the mud flaps that attach to the hitch. Are those included with the Anderson or can I purchase them somewhere else? Thanks for your input and photo's! https://visitedstatesmap.com/image/ALGAMOTNmed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Davies Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 Jim, Amazon Prime has Rock Tamers for $390, but they are available a lot cheaper, shop around. Here is one I found. https://www.unbeatablesale.com/product.jhtm?sku=myrd82286 And no, they are not part of the Andersen package. Oliver service can mount the flaps for you and trim the height as needed. Keep the extra strips of rubber, those can be added at the top to help seal off the gap there. The flaps should be rotated at an angle, not straight up and down, for best effect (so the rocks are deflected downwards, not back at your truck). They are quite heavy (37 pounds) and when combined with the Andersen (55 pounds) that adds a lot of weight behind your light duty truck. That all takes away from your available truck payload. If you want a much much lighter solution, look for one of the “broom” style gravel guards. Your Expedition Max should be a great TV, there are several others here with that truck, I think. Since your truck has third row seats, you could pull them out, that should get rid of perhaps 75 to 100 pounds of dead weight. John Davies Spokane WA 1 SOLD 07/23 "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna and Jim Y. Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Thanks so much John!! https://visitedstatesmap.com/image/ALGAMOTNmed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katanapilot Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 11:28 PM, John E Davies said: Jim, Amazon Prime has Rock Tamers for $390, but they are available a lot cheaper, shop around. Here is one I found. https://www.unbeatablesale.com/product.jhtm?sku=myrd82286 John Davies Spokane WA Thanks John. I just bought a set for our Alaska trip next year. Appreciate the link. 1 2020 Elite II Hull #628, Houghton Heat Pump, Victron MP2, SmartSolar, Orion, Cerbo, Lynx install in progress... TV - 2011 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Platinum 4WD, Magnuson Supercharger, OME suspension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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