Andersen Ultimate #2 or just the Ultimate

[Nato556]

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 6"4" bed with factory puck system, So I'm able to use either version of the Andersen Hitch. The Ultimate 2 is aluminum, and connects to the gooseneck ball and the frame sits on the bed and gets tighten down against the truck bed . The Ultimate (steel construction) connects to a rail system that uses the 4 outer pucks of the 5 puck system in the truck. Can anyone tell me if either is the best way to go. I've heard the Ultimate 2 can sometimes dent the truck bed in some extreme cases. Thanks to all!

[2001400ex]

Durb wrote:
I was in a campground this summer close to a person with a 2017 Ram 4WD short bed and newer Montana High Country with the AUH with gooseneck ball mount. With the Andersen adapter facing rear his pin box bit some chunks out of his tailgate. He reversed the adapter and proceeded to take out his rear window. He did tow with it happily for many thousands of miles but got caught in a situation with tight turn backing combined with a driveway. Not trying to discourage but be observant with the hitch.

To be fair, you can do both of those with any hitch. And both of those issues were not paying attention. First was not paying attention in setup. Second was not paying attention while driving. While the Anderson isn't perfect, I thinks it's the best hitch for me because I often take mine out. I can do this myself. I was injured once so I couldn't crawl into the bed. My 12 year old boy, with me standing there, did it all himself. And carried it to the garage. That's why I prefer the Andersen aluminum 2 with the gooseneck ball.

[Cummins12V98]

Durb wrote:
I was in a campground this summer close to a person with a 2017 Ram 4WD short bed and newer Montana High Country with the AUH with gooseneck ball mount. With the Andersen adapter facing rear his pin box bit some chunks out of his tailgate. He reversed the adapter and proceeded to take out his rear window. He did tow with it happily for many thousands of miles but got caught in a situation with tight turn backing combined with a driveway. Not trying to discourage but be observant with the hitch.

YUP, it happens all the time.

[Durb]

I was in a campground this summer close to a person with a 2017 Ram 4WD short bed and newer Montana High Country with the AUH with gooseneck ball mount. With the Andersen adapter facing rear his pin box bit some chunks out of his tailgate. He reversed the adapter and proceeded to take out his rear window. He did tow with it happily for many thousands of miles but got caught in a situation with tight turn backing combined with a driveway. Not trying to discourage but be observant with the hitch.

[Blazing_Zippers]

I just sold my Andersen steel ultimate, used with a turnover ball. The hitch worked well, no dents or problems in my 2016 Ram 6.4.
IF I was to buy another fifth wheel trailer, I'd consider a Companion instead of an Andersen. NOTHING wrong with the Andersen at all, but I think the Companion would be easier to hook up to and I wouldn't have to climb into the bed to affix the safety chains required in several states.
IMHO...

[goducks10]

If I had to do it again and had pucks to start with I'd go with something like this.
https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Reese/RP94623.html#exp-productdetails=.a...

Only need the GN ball in the bed.

[Nato556]

Thanks all!

[Cummins12V98]

Personally would go with a B&W "BUT" if I had to choose I would go with the picture frame puck adapter and steel ANDERSEN. Never heard of one of them denting the bed or folding!

But with that investment I would consider looking into the B&W puck slider!!!

[slapshot12]

I'd go with the steel/pucks one also if I had the factory pucks. My truck didn't come with them, so I use the AUH2 with a B&W turnover ball. Very happy with the hitch.

[Second_Chance]

IdaD wrote:

bluie5 wrote:
I have the steel version that pins in my rails in the bed. To me it just seems more secure being pinned in four spots instead of just one with the goose ball. I don’t have to worry about dents or deflection of the bed floor. If I had the pucks I’d buy the adapter to pin the steel hitch in.

Seconded. I have the rail mount version as well and it's rock solid.

"Thirded." We used the steel, rail-mount version in our previous truck and it was great. I have read several reports (on multiple forums) of dented beds from the gooseneck ball mount version. I could still get the steel version in and out of the truck with one hand if I needed to the truck bed for something else.

Rob

[MFL]

Make use of the pucks. If you want to use the Andersen, get the adapter for the pucks. A hitch that fits the pucks directly would be my choice. It would not cost much more, but would be heavier.

Jerry

[IdaD]

bluie5 wrote:
I have the steel version that pins in my rails in the bed. To me it just seems more secure being pinned in four spots instead of just one with the goose ball. I don’t have to worry about dents or deflection of the bed floor. If I had the pucks I’d buy the adapter to pin the steel hitch in.

Seconded. I have the rail mount version as well and it's rock solid.

[bluie5]

I have the steel version that pins in my rails in the bed. To me it just seems more secure being pinned in four spots instead of just one with the goose ball. I don’t have to worry about dents or deflection of the bed floor. If I had the pucks I’d buy the adapter to pin the steel hitch in.