Andersen Turning Experiment

[jasonl78]

I know this has been covered before but I wanted to share my experience in a new post. I never really checked to see how far I could turn my fifth wheel with my setup. As my signature says, I have a Ram 3500 with a 6'4" bed and Rambox tool boxes. I use the Andersen rail mount hitch in my truck. My Andersen is setup in the short bed orientation with the pyramiadal frame to the rear. I also have the coupler reversed. The ball socket is positioned behind the king pin of the pinbox. I have the ball height in the middle position. I have a Reflection fifth wheel. So before storing it for the winter I decided to take it to a parking lot to check turning ability. The parking lot wasn't very level and had lots of dips. It wasn't extreme but surely not great. I could get dang near 90 degrees. I stopped turning before something bad happened! Attached are pictures. In my experiences so far I know I've never had to get myself in this position. I was close once but that was in a rare instance and looking at the tires scares me! If I had a Solitude, there would be contact surely before getting to a 90 degree. Hopefully the pictures help if someone out there is trying to make an informed decision about this setup. Even though I didn't get a full 90, I'm still 100% for my Andersen hitch.

[Gold Country Livin']

I know this has been covered before but I wanted to share my experience in a new post. I never really checked to see how far I could turn my fifth wheel with my setup. As my signature says, I have a Ram 3500 with a 6'4" bed and Rambox tool boxes. I use the Andersen rail mount hitch in my truck. My Andersen is setup in the short bed orientation with the pyramiadal frame to the rear. I also have the coupler reversed. The ball socket is positioned behind the king pin of the pinbox. I have the ball height in the middle position. I have a Reflection fifth wheel. So before storing it for the winter I decided to take it to a parking lot to check turning ability. The parking lot wasn't very level and had lots of dips. It wasn't extreme but surely not great. I could get dang near 90 degrees. I stopped turning before something bad happened! Attached are pictures. In my experiences so far I know I've never had to get myself in this position. I was close once but that was in a rare instance and looking at the tires scares me! If I had a Solitude, there would be contact surely before getting to a 90 degree. Hopefully the pictures help if someone out there is trying to make an informed decision about this setup. Even though I didn't get a full 90, I'm still 100% for my Andersen hitch.

Nice Jason! Good explanation and pictures. Try to never need to get this far angled! Tires do tell the story! And watch for potholes or dips when turning. They will bite you.

[Monrow]

Thanks for the post and pics! We are considering the ‘18 or ‘19 Ram 3500 with a crew cab, and we like the Ramboxs. But I read on one thread (somewhere) that the Andersen would not allow enough side clearance. Is that why you reversed the coupler?

[jasonl78]

Thanks for the post and pics! We are considering the ‘18 or ‘19 Ram 3500 with a crew cab, and we like the Ramboxs. But I read on one thread (somewhere) that the Andersen would not allow enough side clearance. Is that why you reversed the coupler?

That is exactly why I reversed the coupler. When I bought my fifth wheel I tried it with the coupler in the normal position and the ball in the lowest position. See. The attached picture. I want comfortable with the clearance so I reversed the coupler and raised the ball to the middle position. It's worked great so far. I debated getting Ramboxes because you can't get them AND factory fifthwheel package but ended up getting them. I use the Ramboxes for a lot of stuff and really like them. I installed my bedrails and 7-pin connector myself. It was pretty simple other than the thought of drilling big holes in the bed of your brand new truck! I'm the type that usually measures 3 times and cuts twice and it's still off but it worked out pretty well.



Rambox clearance to fifthwheel

[Brother_Bluto]

Keep in mind everything changes when on uneven ground - like cranking a turn that runs down into a site off the main road. I had the AUH - don't have anything bad to say about it.

[akcooper9]

I run the AUH steel rail version and like it as well towing a 28BH. Very Happy!

[Unit88]

wondering how the seals are on Ram Boxes....does the dust get in or does your stuff stay relatively free of dust? Good looking rig!

[jasonl78]

wondering how the seals are on Ram Boxes....does the dust get in or does your stuff stay relatively free of dust? Good looking rig!

I've had 2 different trucks with Ramboxes now and both seem to seal pretty well. Haven't had any issues with dust or water ingression. I debated getting them on my 3500 because I couldn't get the factory fifthwheel/gooseneck package with Ramboxes. I use my fifthwheel 10% of the time. I use my Ramboxes 100% of the time so decided to get them again. Just happy I found a hitch that works well them. Thank you Andersen!

[Larry and Kathy]

Very helpful. Thanks for posting this.

[backtrack2015]

That looks like a solid 75-80 degrees there. Thanks for sharing your experiment.