Latest model of Andersen hitch?

[tractors1]

Took my 5 year old Andersen ball holder, ball, and the replacement cone material to a machine shop to press together. The Andersen website video showed the factory pressing the parts together until the cone material was even with the top of the holder. The new cone material (being longer) broke out the machined internal aluminum retaining ledge of the ball holder. Think this 2014 version was a poor design as it would have been simple to include a depth marking on the ball stud to show when to stop pressing!


Hope the new design is better......going to try for a warranty claim due to a design defect.
Attached Thumbnails

[trainman]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Took my 5 year old Andersen ball holder, ball, and the replacement cone material to a machine shop to press together. The Andersen website video showed the factory pressing the parts together until the cone material was even with the top of the holder. The new cone material (being longer) broke out the machined internal aluminum retaining ledge of the ball holder. Think this 2014 version was a poor design as it would have been simple to include a depth marking on the ball stud to show when to stop pressing!


Hope the new design is better......going to try for a warranty claim due to a design defect.
Attached Thumbnails

I thought I saw in an Anderson video that when you put the new cone in the ball mount and then install the hitch ball it will automatically press the two together when the trailer is hitched. What they said is that, the tongue weight will press fit it together and no need to have it pressed elsewhere.

trainman

[Carol and Mike]

You should contact Andersen directly, they should send you the new version of the hitch for $100. I’ve seen pictures and it looks much improved. I’m thinking I will upgrade my 4 year old Andersen even though it is working well. Or they should swap out your old with the same version for free. I’ve done that.

[Mike Magee]

+1 what Trainman said. I would not have used a press at all.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

+1 what Trainman said. I would not have used a press at all.

Well, since I have access to one it was simpler than driving a half-hooked up trailer 2 miles down a bumpy gravel road to drive 8 miles to the nearest town to drive "around the block" per the video.


Poor design without the depth marking needed on the stem. The machine shop watched the video and did as indicated during their production process shown. I spent 40 years as a licensed engineer so I think my opinion counts somewhat.



The good news is Andersen agreed and will replace everything involved with the latest design at no cost to me - including shipping.


THAT'S customer service.

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by Carol and Mike

You should contact Andersen directly, they should send you the new version of the hitch for $100. I’ve seen pictures and it looks much improved. I’m thinking I will upgrade my 4 year old Andersen even though it is working well. Or they should swap out your old with the same version for free. I’ve done that.

What are the big improvements? Very interested to know what the changes are.

[Carol and Mike]

Main improvements are redesigned triangle plate and a seal over the brake lining insert. Here’s a picture of one from an Oliver owner from the Oliver forum.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Carol and Mike

Main improvements are redesigned triangle plate and a seal over the brake lining insert. Here’s a picture of one from an Oliver owner from the Oliver forum.

I heard through another forum that the internal cone angle was changed and that the unit is a bit shorter height.

[tractors1]

Got my parts replaced under warranty today.



The new ball holder version has a retainer cap over the cone, and a much wider cone angle, judging by the smaller bottom protruding stub while the top diameter is the same.



The new triangle plate also has a wider spread for the chain holes. Not sure why the boomerang design unless they got a new CNC version.It's painted steel and looks like aluminum, but it's not.

[yardsale]

We got the third generation Anderson and it seems they have finally got it right. The triangle plate angle resulted in the chains being a little too long so I had to take one link off. Now it's just a tad too short requiring that you have everything well lined up. Oh well.

[Pace]

Is it easy to get a newer one? Mine must be at least 2014.