Buy a 5th wheel instead or a bumper pull?

[Blythkd1]

It's not as much as twist as it is how large of humps you go over. Twist is part of it but damage is probably most likely to occur when going over a big hump. But like you said bed clearance is what matters and you can't answer your questions without seeing the actual truck/trailer configuration and associated clearance.

As high as new trucks are nowadays, we're seeing less clearance, sometimes down to 6" or less.

With a travel trailer, articulation is virtually unlimited for all practical purposes. Everything will twist until the hitch binds on the hitch ball, which would be a situation we should never be attempting to tow a trailer through in the first place.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

And if you're over payload and in a serious accident that's thoroughly investigated, regardless if you're at fault, you're most likely going to be screwed.

I see this come up a lot when folks get to talking about payload. Has this ever happened? I can't remember seeing a single citation of this happening to someone.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I see this come up a lot when folks get to talking about payload. Has this ever happened? I can't remember seeing a single citation of this happening to someone.

Never have i ever seen this it is complete rumour as far as my research has shown me. Even my insurance company said that its not a thing. Heck if you load a minivan with camping gear and the family you are over the payload…

 

[gimmie11s]

and its the most dangerous hitch on the market…. There are cheaper ways to write off a truck and trailer in one shot than using the worst hitch ever made…. I would go with a reese goosebox before going with an Anderson death trap….

Says the guy who overloads his truck on literally every tow.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Says the guy who overloads his truck on literally every tow.

Get outa here bro, you are full of nonsense as usual.

There is no nonsense there is plenty of proof the AUH is not safe all of my equipment is within the weight ratings so its you that is full of nonsense and kiddo I am not your “bro”

 

[CFE]

There is no nonsense there is plenty of proof the AUH is not safe all of my equipment is within the weight ratings so its you that is full of nonsense and kiddo I am not your “bro”

homies - let's just get along

 

[gimmie11s]

There is no nonsense there is plenty of proof the AUH is not safe all of my equipment is within the weight ratings so its you that is full of nonsense and kiddo I am not your “bro”

Like everything-- if you overload it (something youre used to) or get into an accident like the pics on pages prior, there is a much higher likelihood that it'll fail.

I would not use the Anderson on a 20k trailer. No way.

15k and under I don't see a problem BRO. Had mine for 5 years and love it.

 

[CFE]

Like everything-- if you overload it (something youre used to) or get into an accident like the pics on pages prior, there is a much higher likelihood that it'll fail.

I would not use the Anderson on a 20k trailer. No way.

15k and under I don't see a problem BRO. Had mine for 5 years and love it.

Godspeed gimmie

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Like everything if you overload it (something youre used to) or get into an accident like the pics on pages prior, there is a much higher likelihood that it'll fail.

I would not use the Anderson on a 20k trailer. No way.

15k and under I don't see a problem. Had mine for 5 years and love it.

Nothing i run is overloaded i am always within my GAWR if i need more RAWR i run my dually…

there is enough reports of failure when not overloaded i would never run it but thats just me. I work with aluminum all the time through work enough not to trust it. If you have had no issues thats great but the risk is not worth the reward to me.

My air ride hitch has treated me very well for almost 20 years so that what i run. There is never going to be a one size fits all for towing just different opinions

 

[gimmie11s]

Different strokes, different folks. We can agree on that.

For the seasonal tower, the AUH is fine. People have travelled millions of trouble-free miles with them.

For someone who uses their rig to make money like Mr Overloaded, then yeah -- I suppose I would want the hitch that requires an engine hoist to remove.

 

[Hardtop]

It's not as much as twist as it is how large of humps you go over. Twist is part of it but damage is probably most likely to occur when going over a big hump. But like you said bed clearance is what matters and you can't answer your questions without seeing the actual truck/trailer configuration and associated clearance.

As high as new trucks are nowadays, we're seeing less clearance, sometimes down to 6" or less.

With a travel trailer, articulation is virtually unlimited for all practical purposes. Everything will twist until the hitch binds on the hitch ball, which would be a situation we should never be attempting to tow a trailer through in the first place.

Ok, thanks. So it's not so much side to side as front to back issues with a 5-er. Can see that coming into play as the front of the truck rises up a sudden incline and then when the truck crests over it.

 

[Blythkd1]

Ok, thanks. So it's not so much side to side as front to back issues with a 5-er. Can see that coming into play as the front of the truck rises up a sudden incline and then when the truck crests over it.

I'm not saying twist from side to side can't come into play but most roads, even trails and paths, are at least somewhat close to level from side to side, although big humps might not be uncommon. If you're going over humps that are terribly off level from side to side, probably shouldn't be there with a camper in tow.

I don't worry about it with my 5er since my truck has a flatbed. That fixes the clearance issue. But that doesn't mean I go off-roading with my camper either.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I see this come up a lot when folks get to talking about payload. Has this ever happened? I can't remember seeing a single citation of this happening to someone.

I've personally witnessed it when I was a field sergeant. AI (Accident Investigators) will sometimes have the vehicle towed and held for a full inspection, which includes things like brakes in addition to weight. Other times they will have CMV enforcement, which are civilians in my state who can enforce ordinances but are not sworn so lack arrest powers, bring portable scales to the scene.

The last one I personally witnessed was a dually hauling a trailer with earth moving equipment who cut a turn to close and struck a police car stopped at the light. The AI noted the truck appeared overweight and the trailer brakes didn't appear to be hooked up correctly. There were some other concerns, but the end result was the vehicle was taken for a full inspection and a fist full of citations was eventually issued. I've no idea if the city sued or not, they are self insured so work directly with the insurers on city vehicle crashes.

It is not a common occurrence. Minor crashes will not always get an actual AI, just a "regular" patrol officer who's unlikely to be trained in this sort of enforcement. The only reason that one did was it was a city vehicle. Every serious injury likely to result in death or long term loss of limb and every fatality gets an AI locally, at least, and those are the ones with big checks attached.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I've personally witnessed it when I was a field sergeant. AI (Accident Investigators) will sometimes have the vehicle towed and held for a full inspection, which includes things like brakes in addition to weight. Other times they will have CMV enforcement, which are civilians in my state who can enforce ordinances but are not sworn so lack arrest powers, bring portable scales to the scene.

The last one I personally witnessed was a dually hauling a trailer with earth moving equipment who cut a turn to close and struck a police car stopped at the light. The AI noted the truck appeared overweight and the trailer brakes didn't appear to be hooked up correctly. There were some other concerns, but the end result was the vehicle was taken for a full inspection and a fist full of citations was eventually issued. I've no idea if the city sued or not, they are self insured so work directly with the insurers on city vehicle crashes.

It is not a common occurrence. Minor crashes will not always get an actual AI, just a "regular" patrol officer who's unlikely to be trained in this sort of enforcement. The only reason that one did was it was a city vehicle. Every serious injury likely to result in death or long term loss of limb and every fatality gets an AI locally, at least, and those are the ones with big checks attached.

thats not surprising that happens everywhere when people will get tickets for improper equipment/ licensing or over weight after a collision but it does not automatically indicate an at fault in a collision nor does insurance companies refuse payment.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

I've personally witnessed it when I was a field sergeant. AI (Accident Investigators) will sometimes have the vehicle towed and held for a full inspection, which includes things like brakes in addition to weight. Other times they will have CMV enforcement, which are civilians in my state who can enforce ordinances but are not sworn so lack arrest powers, bring portable scales to the scene.

The last one I personally witnessed was a dually hauling a trailer with earth moving equipment who cut a turn to close and struck a police car stopped at the light. The AI noted the truck appeared overweight and the trailer brakes didn't appear to be hooked up correctly. There were some other concerns, but the end result was the vehicle was taken for a full inspection and a fist full of citations was eventually issued. I've no idea if the city sued or not, they are self insured so work directly with the insurers on city vehicle crashes.

It is not a common occurrence. Minor crashes will not always get an actual AI, just a "regular" patrol officer who's unlikely to be trained in this sort of enforcement. The only reason that one did was it was a city vehicle. Every serious injury likely to result in death or long term loss of limb and every fatality gets an AI locally, at least, and those are the ones with big checks attached.

What weights are they even checking after an accident? Seems like you'd have to be significantly overloaded for any citation to stick

 

[Blythkd1]

I've personally witnessed it when I was a field sergeant. AI (Accident Investigators) will sometimes have the vehicle towed and held for a full inspection, which includes things like brakes in addition to weight. Other times they will have CMV enforcement, which are civilians in my state who can enforce ordinances but are not sworn so lack arrest powers, bring portable scales to the scene.

The last one I personally witnessed was a dually hauling a trailer with earth moving equipment who cut a turn to close and struck a police car stopped at the light. The AI noted the truck appeared overweight and the trailer brakes didn't appear to be hooked up correctly. There were some other concerns, but the end result was the vehicle was taken for a full inspection and a fist full of citations was eventually issued. I've no idea if the city sued or not, they are self insured so work directly with the insurers on city vehicle crashes.

It is not a common occurrence. Minor crashes will not always get an actual AI, just a "regular" patrol officer who's unlikely to be trained in this sort of enforcement. The only reason that one did was it was a city vehicle. Every serious injury likely to result in death or long term loss of limb and every fatality gets an AI locally, at least, and those are the ones with big checks attached.

Yeah since we've got your attention, I've got some questions too.

As far as I know, being over payload is not illegal, not in my state anyway, Kansas. Trucks roll over DOT scales over mfr rated payload all the time, no tickets. That's here and many other states I've been in as well.

So what state(s) is your first hand knowledge in? What are they looking for? Over tire ratings? Over axle or what?

I've flat out asked KS DOT about GCWR and 2 different officers have told me they don't pay any attention to it.

Another interesting little tidbit on KS DOT rules, they'll give you a set amount of overweight grace, pretty sure it's 5%.

 

[Docwagon1776]

thats not surprising that happens everywhere when people will get tickets for improper equipment/ licensing or over weight after a collision but it does not automatically indicate an at fault in a collision nor does insurance companies refuse payment.

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone said it would automatically make it your fault. Just you'd get "screwed" or similar. I'd figure a fist full of expensive tickets or a civil judgement would count.

 

[Docwagon1776]

What weights are they even checking after an accident? Seems like you'd have to be significantly overloaded for any citation to stick

I'm not the guy to ask. I was never an AI nor trained on CMV enforcement. I've watched them work, but obviously that's not the same. We are a big enough department that specialty units do most of the traffic related things. Few even have radar, lidar, etc.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Yeah since we've got your attention, I've got some questions too.

As far as I know, being over payload is not illegal, not in my state anyway, Kansas. Trucks roll over DOT scales over mfr rated payload all the time, no tickets. That's here and many other states I've been in as well.

So what state(s) is your first hand knowledge in? What are they looking for? Over tire ratings? Over axle or what?

I've flat out asked KS DOT about GCWR and 2 different officers have told me they don't pay any attention to it.

Another interesting little tidbit on KS DOT rules, they'll give you a set amount of overweight grace, pretty sure it's 5%.

I don't *think* they do tire loads, but I would have to ask to verify. I believe it's just axle and over all.

It is not illegal, it's a civil penalty. Can't stop someone for it, etc. Nobody cares if you're just driving and overloaded. Have a bicyclist wadded up in your fender and things that weren't an issue before now may be an issue. Civil Court, especially, where they will use it to paint you as reckless and disregarding manufacturers safety rules.

Low odds, high stakes.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

I'm not the guy to ask. I was never an AI nor trained on CMV enforcement. I've watched them work, but obviously that's not the same. We are a big enough department that specialty units do most of the traffic related things. Few even have radar, lidar, etc.

Gotcha. Just thought there might be some specific examples. Appreciate your perspective.