The How To Guide to Hitching up the Andersen No Sway Hitch

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We hitch up our travel trailer with the Andersen hitch to show you how easy it can be to use a weight-distribution hitch with sway control. We have had the No Sway hitch for 3 years and really love it for these three factors: ease of use, lightweight, and the sway control works great (trust me, we have had some sticky situations and I do believe it saved us.)
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Here is a link to the Andersen No Sway Weight Distribution Hitch:
www.amazon.com/Andersen-Hitch...
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[@thomasforrester370]

I love my andersen hitch just took it out for the first time and loved how much it made my trailer straight when the wind gust came and the no bounce back plus I have a bad disc in my lower back and this hitch made it easier to connect and disconnect.would highly recommend this hitch

[@jsboening]

I color code all my keys and locks with my wife’s nail polish. Saves time fumbling with keys and is especially useful when it freezing cold outside and your not sure if you have the wrong key or our lock is frozen.

[@mjbarran]

Best demo i have seen.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Glad to help you out!

[@thomasforrester370]

Just got mine setup very pleased with it.there were a 1/2 to 3/4 inch difference to the measurement that I took before I hooked the trailer up

[@billeldon]

A much simpler way to disconnect and connect to your tow vehicle is not to remove or even slacken the Andersen tensioning nuts. Just lift the trailer tongue with the jack until the chains go slack, then you can pull the pin and just drop the triangle plate off the bottom of the ball shank. To hitch up, connect the hitch, raise the rig with the jack until you can fit the triangle plate, secure it and lower. No disassembly of the chains.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Good tip Bill!

[@billeldon]

@@TheSavvyCampers we just got our Casita and Andersen WDH this summer so I was looking for tips online and found an Australian KZbin video doing it that way and found it much less cumbersome. I can’t take credit for inventing it! I also then hang the triangle plate off the ground by putting the pin through a link of the safety chains.

[@alliesandow7016]

The challenge we have is aligning the triangle(whale tail) correctly so the pin goes thru when we are hooking up the trailer to the hitch.

[@EverydayIsSaturday2]

@@alliesandow7016 I leave my triangle plate attached to the hitch assemble. I only remove the chains when I creat the slack by lifting the jack. This makes it easier.

[@sssophiesmom]

@@EverydayIsSaturday2 So you only remove the clevis pin? So this then solves the issue of not hooking up at the same exact angle as it was when you unhooked? I am rarely straight on when hitching and unhitching. I have only had my trailer on 2 trips, and the last trip I could not get the angle plate lined up properly with the hole to stick the pin in to secure the triangle plate. So i had to drive without the WDH and it was scary. I was trying to take the easy way out by raising tongue jack to create slack, but I have removed the triangle plate completely which is how I saw people doing it. By leaving the triangle plate attached, does that automatically correct the angle issue as you drive and straighten out??

[@TravelingOn]

I have never used one of these hitches. Great Video. Your new friend

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Thanks for visiting, they are great hitches.

[@erix4erix]

thanks!

[@BL-hg8bo]

29’ towing with a Toyota Tundra and love this hitch. Super easy. 80% less time than conventional distribution hitches

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes, I agree, this is a great hitch.

[@donsvideos1985]

I'm pulling a 30' Coleman 263BH with a 1/2 ton F150 and am using the Eas R3 and got a wicked sway coming from Lukenbach Texas to Dallas last weekend. It was a pretty strong gusting crosswind. However It convinced me I need something better! The R3 does a good job of weight distribution but with the 11'8" height it's a big ol' kite! Does anyone think I would be improved enough to make this worth the purchase? I was looking at the Hensley hitch but got sticker shock badly!

[@michaeldierks3708]

I’m interested in this hitch, and I see comments on other forums stating how quickly you can hitch up with them, but after watching this video I just don’t see where the time savings are vs my stabilizer bar type WDH. Am I missing something?

[@BL-hg8bo]

@@donsvideos1985 Hensley but that’s pricy.

[@BL-hg8bo]

@@michaeldierks3708 for starters, you don’t have to carry around those heavy distribution bars nor do you have to wrench them up manually.

[@creepyoldhouseexplorersclub]

I was instructed at the Casita factory to Cross the safety chains when hooking to the hitch

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes, that is correct Lynn, we always cross ours as it will hold the hitch up shall the hitch become unlatched for a safer stop.

[@jimbernard6112]

Makes no difference on a trailer like this. Both chains connect to the frame at a single point on the centerline. Only makes a difference if each chain is connected separately to the trailer at points left and right of the centerline.

[@AllenWood-ub9ih]

quick question to anyone, on the Anderson hitch, there are 2 receiver pin holes, Does it matter or have an effect on operation if you choose the hole closer to the truck or farther, If I use the 2nd hole to put the receiver pin through, it actually allows me to open my tailgate but I'm curious if this matters, I'm assuming not or they wouldn't have put the option there for 2 positions but wanted to get thoughts.

[@joshh345]

I take it you haven’t had any problems with the trucks ESC kicking in? I know Anderson states this hitch might have problems with newer trucks with built in trailer sway control (part of the ESC) reacting with their system. Got the same truck so I was wondering before purchasing..

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Hey Joshua, I have not had any trouble with the stability control on the truck kicking in.

[@OdometerDave]

I noticed you set the air suspension to “normal” before hitching. Do you change it when actually towing? We have the air suspension on our Jeep Grand Cherokee and I’m curious what happens at highway speeds when it wants to drop to “aero” mode. Thanks!

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes, great question Dave, we adjust it to normal prior. When you have your vehicle in tow-haul mode it will not go into aero mode, but will still self level. If it went into aero mode while driving, that could change your weight distribution with your hitch and cause trouble.

[@jaradderosa3252]

I too am towing with a Grand Cherokee and I set it to sport mode so the suspension is set to aero mode at all times and especially prior to setting up my hitch.

[@OdometerDave]

@@jaradderosa3252 Oh, interesting. I'd heard that sport mode was a good approximation of tow/haul mode, but didn't realize it sets to aero all the time. Thanks!

[@sssophiesmom]

@@OdometerDave Good to know. it seems very hard to find guidance on this issue. Jeep doesn't really address that at all in their manuals. and dealers don't seem to know either

[@sheenaedge6662]

I have an Andersen Hitch I am still trying to dial in. I put the weight of the trailer on the hitch THEN tighten up.... Should I do the way you do? Level it (no weight on truck), tighten the WD chains , THEN put weight on it? Thanks for the help in advance

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Sheena, glad you got an Andersen Hitch. I believe you are looking for help about adjusting the hitch, not just using it correct? If so, consult section 6 of their instruction manual which describes how to check and adjust tension. This video should also help out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4m2lI2LeruWqMU

[@billeldon]

Yes-if you know how many threads should be showing when it’s adjusted for your rig, set it there.

[@machfive916]

Is it ok that the bottom of the bracket seems further forward than the top? I would have guessed that the bracket should have been straighter up and down.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes, it is ok, the manual states it is supposed to be at an angle. The bottom area that accepts the chains is straight when the brackets are at an angle.

[@98109woode]

This is a question to anyone. Is your turning radius restricted using this WDH? Can you turn as sharp as you want to without any restriction from the WDH?

[@curtisclayton5857]

I’ve been looking at getting the Anderson hitch. What’s the trailer length and weight and tongue weight? 1/2 ton pickup? Good video BTW.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

It is a 21' trailer that weighs about 3,700 dry. Hitch weight is about 370 pounds. We use a 1/2 ton Ram. Thanks!

[@TheSavvyCampers]

I have a 21' trailer with a stated tongue weight of 370 pounds. I assume it is much more once you add the propane, batteries, and our camping gear. We tow with a 1/2 ton. Thanks for watching!

[@EarfulOfTunes]

The hitch shank seems a loose fit in your truck's receiver. Does it make a lot of noise going down the road? I have this problem and am using, with some but not complete success, a hitch clamp (another thing to fool with!). If the Andersen hitch takes care of the slop noise, I'm definitely interested ...

[@TheSavvyCampers]

The weight of the trailer will decrease the slop noise, but when you connect the weight distribution chains, it really locks the hitch in position and does not make any slop noise.

[@josea.martinez5746]

Is it me... or are the links twisted (not straight) against manufacturers' instruction for install?

[@kknight8112]

Can you back up the trailer with the system hooked up?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes, we have a tight driveway and can back up with the hitch and chains on with no problem at sharp angles.

[@erix4erix]

how do you get the plate straight? mine's really at at angle and I can only connect one chain

[@TheSavvyCampers]

You can hook one chain up and tighten it to get the plate straight, or just back up at the same angle.

[@bmac5496]

Mr Truck ….. do you still believe this is a great product ? I’m considering it for a purchase. I tow a travel trailer with gvwr of 8900. Empty weight of just over 7200. I tow with a 2021 Chevy 2500 crew cab diesel

[@TheSavvyCampers]

I still believe it is a good product, it has served us well the past few years. No loud noises like an old one we had.

[@NE-Explorer]

I need to buy a torque wrench?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

It is good to have one to torque your hitch to the manufacturer's recommended torque for the bolts.

[@chriswadlington2465]

You need to read your directions and watch factory video

[@brianeaton8905]

Your frame brackets are installed backwards the pass-through for the bolt assembly should be parallel to the frame it shouldn’t have such an upward pitch.

[@matthewfears5064]

Incorrect. Andersen recommend the angle to help with sliding.

[@CindyinArizona]

You didn't show counting the threads on both sides to make sure they are equal.

[@zulukono663]

The chains aren't supposed to be twisted, and why would you use a torque wrench to tighten them? I don't even own this hitch and I know more than you about it.

[@sjfk1306]

You probably shouldn’t make a “how-to” on something you don’t know how to do properly….

[@oafdawg314]

Get a Pro Pride hitch and eliminate sway completely. And you don't have to mess around with hooking chains, that look rather dubious to me. to control sway.

[@hossrod]

Yeah for $3300 and 140lbs more! There maybe situations out there that would need such a device (like if you can't avoid a properly loaded trailer or something). My $550 Anderson works great for me (30' toy hauler). The sway control is in the ball. The chains provide pull tension only, not flex tension like bars.

[@oafdawg314]

@@hossrod The ball controls sway...Hahaa, sure, the ball will control sway.....

[@hossrod]

@@oafdawg314 Yes correct. The ball rotates in a conical cone of friction material.

[@Berrypancakes229]

@@hossrod my husband just installed an Anderson Hitch and loves it . The Anti sway is better, less bounce compare to the the old hitch. Lot smoother ride. No need to spend more on a more expensive hitch. Easier to hitch up and unhitch.

[@ericb6508]

So I assume you've spent $4,000 and bought one? Hah waste of money for most of us plus they're HEAVY! The Andersen hitch is great, can back up or turn tightly, it's quiet, you can use it without the chains and plate as a normal hitch, MUCH lighter than anything else on the market, controls bounce (which most others DON'T).