Another Andersen WDH idea

[Nick and Linda Stratigakis]

Here is another option for the Andersen WDH. I found it easy to connect and disconnect in just minutes by turning the two turbbuckles . Black marker on threads provide a guide to the correct tension when ready to connect again.

 

[John E Davies]

Cool do you have a link or did you source them locally? Size? Do they loosen at all when towing? You could drill a hole in the free end (inside the opening) on each turnbuckle for a safety pin.

FYi these are available with built-in clevises, so you can get rid of those four shackles, eliminating that many wear/ failure points. I am not sure what is the appropriate rating, can you comment?

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Nick and Linda Stratigakis]

I used 3/4’ Χ 9’ galvanized turnbuckles. Checked several local hardware stores but they did not have them in galvanized, found them in Amazon for around $ 50. Just returned from a 450 mile trip and did not see any loosening issues at all. I will keep an eye and if I need to I would prefer to add a backup nut. If I drill a hole for a pin it may weaken the SWL ratings. I saw the build in clevises but the 3/4’ pin of the clevise would not go through the Andersen provided chains ( the OD of the clevise pin is a bit too large. As a matter of fact the 3/8” shackles need to be tapped gently in the eye of the 3/4’ turnbuckle.

You could of course use the 5/8” X 6” that you suggest, dont see a problem with it  but I opted for the 3/4”

[Jim_Oker]

I too am interested in what the tension ratings are of that hardware, and what is required for safe use with the Anderson hitch (which clearly has to handle significant tension on those chains).

 

[John E Davies]

3 hours ago, Nick and Linda Stratigakis said:

 If I drill a hole for a pin it may weaken the SWL ratings.

Thanks for the info. If you drill a hole inside the body, there is not any load on the threaded rod there. Only the area that contacts the female threads, and the area under tension, would be affected. That inner section has zero load on it.

I sent an email to Andersen Customer Service asking about this, most likely they will say do not do this, you’ll shoot yer eye out! but maybe not. If they reply I will post a followup.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

Andersen Customer Service replied promptly, he first asked if the turnbuckles were going to be used for adjusting chain tension. I replied, no, they were just for adding slack to ease getting the whaletail installed, then the turnbuckles would be reset to the previous position(s) before lowering the tongue back down. The NUTS would be used for setting tension. He replied:

“The minimum weight rating would be 2,100 lbs ”

And he did not say, “Don’t do this”, which is encouraging. And he did not mention adding a safety pin of any kind.  So a smaller one would be technically OK but the bigger one would fit better because of the large size of the Andersen chain links.

That open ended one I showed earlier has a 3/8” diameter bolt at each end and very long “jaws”, it should work fine. I ordered two for $30 and will see how they work out. With a 3500 pound working load limit, they will give a 50% safety factor over the minimum stated by Andersen. I will add to this helpful thread with pics if they do, or if they don’t😬

Indusco 93900241 Hot Dipped Drop Forged Galvanized Steel Jaw and Jaw Turnbuckle, 3500 lbs Working Load Limit, 5/8" Threaded Diameter x 6" Take Up, 15-1/2" Length

Buyer beware - the price for a two pack was higher than selecting one and adding two of those to the Amazon cart. A good reason to buy these over no name China made ones: Support your local sailing ship supplier. These may be fabricated overseas, but the QC is probably a lot better.

“In the early 1900's, Indusco Wire Rope & Fittings was in the Port of Baltimore. No matter the season, when the square-riggers, coastal traders and bay boats of the day arrived in the harbor, Indusco Wire Rope & Fittings would be there to greet them. Indusco brings the same commitment of dependability and service years later. In addition to serving the marine industry, Indusco Wire Rope & Fittings also supplies high quality products to industrial suppliers, contractors, mining companies, logging operations, transportation companies, farms and military operations throughout the world. Indusco Wire Rope & Fittings has become America's fabricator and supplier of wire rope and rigging gear.“

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Nick and Linda Stratigakis]

John, thanks for posting the answer from Andersen and happy with the reply. You will be surprised how this alternative method can make your life easier (connect and disconnect the trailer) after the initial hookup. 
 

[Aluecker]

I have found it is fairly easy to back off the nuts on the trailer, get slack in the chain, remove whales tail. Do the reverse when hooking up. Count the threads on the bolt so they are even. Actualy really easy

[John E Davies]

I plan to start a new thread at some point, after I have hitched up, adjusted the parts and road tested it, which may be a while, but here are some pics of my Amazon Indusco turnbuckle posted above. FYI my Andersen installation is NOT factory, I deviated from Oliver’s standards and the front chain section may not be the same length as yours. Measure to make sure! Otherwise you might have to cut some chain links.

My front chain section measures about 15.5 inches end to end, to the inside of the last links. I set the turnbuckle to that length, and I ended up with 2” of free threads both inside and outside of the housing, which will allow me to loosen each chain 4 “ or more. It’s like the turnbuckle was designed for this application😬

The turnbuckles come with thin free spinning nuts. I installed 1/2”-13 stainless nylocks for safety, They just fit, with no room for washers.

The heat shrink tubing has not yet been shrunk, it will provide a visual reference when tightening the housings back again. I will post a few more pics and some commentary in that new thread, but this should get a member started if you want to do this easy easy mod.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[Shawna and Scott]

John,

Is there a reason you left the chain couple in place for you mod? I saw another thread where several folks had them failing and thought this might be a good idea to replace that piece also?

We pick ours up end of July and I have no experience with the Anderson yet. 

[BackofBeyond]

In my jaded opinion - the best mod is to not need the Anderson - but- as has been stated - just backing of the nut worked fine- with less hassle. I am always amazed at the improvements Oliver owners engineer and develop. Good job folks.

RB

[Dennis and Melissa]

On 6/8/2022 at 8:33 AM, Aluecker said:

I have found it is fairly easy to back off the nuts on the trailer, get slack in the chain, remove whales tail. Do the reverse when hooking up. Count the threads on the bolt so they are even. Actualy really easy

I may end up doing this. What are the downsides if the 2 sides aren’t set perfectly?

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, Dennis and Melissa said:

I may end up doing this. What are the downsides if the 2 sides aren’t set perfectly?

Perfectly can't happen, but the WDH works best when set properly.

Reading page 11 Section 5 of the Andersen WDH, "HAND-TIGHTEN both Tension Nuts as much as you can... using a socket... tighten both Tension Nuts another 3-4 threads." Later they write, "Although it is not crucial" tighten or loosen each the same amount. 

When you get hand tight, the # threads left and right may not be the same. Could be the bomerang mount is not even and the bracket installation might not be equal left and right. Drive down a straight road a mile +/- and keep the steering straight ahead for 100 yards just prior to parking. I have a favorite street in our neighborhood to achieve this.

You can start over with the hand tightening... Or just make sure each red rubber bushing is slightly bulging the same small amount. Eventually you should know for your hitch what is the correct number of threads left and right, and just do that without thinking.

You want to see that level line, from the front wheels of TV to rear bumper of TT. How tight depends on how much weight distribution you need. Tighten the two nuts some MORE equally and the rear of the TV will come higher, nose more down. Loosen and the opposite. They cover this in the next section 6 of the instructions.

None of this will work right if your Andersen hitch is not mounted at the proper height. Start with Section 2, regarding hitch height. When set properly, ours runs so nicely down the road. I can certainly feel the difference when I tow without using it. A lot of bouncing in the rear.

[Rivernerd]

5 hours ago, Dennis and Melissa said:

may end up doing this. What are the downsides if the 2 sides aren’t set perfectly?

I have towed our Elite II about 3K miles with an Andersen WD hitch.  In my experience, so long as both chains feel taut,  the Andersen hitch works just fine.  "Perfect" is not required; close is good enough.

[Aluecker]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:00 PM, Dennis and Melissa said:

I may end up doing this. What are the downsides if the 2 sides aren’t set perfectly?

I just saw a this. We just pull out somewhere flat. Straight and relatively level and hook them up and tighten.