Cptnvideo
Arizona - most of the time
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You don't have to be level or straight to hook up to the Hensley hitches.
Are you a salesman for Anderson? You sound like one.
Bill & Linda
Arizona
2019 Dodge Ram Laramie 3500 dually 4x4 diesel
Hensley Trailer Saver BD5 hitch
2022 Grand Design Solitude 378MBS
1600 watts solar, Victron 150/100 MPPT controller, GoPower 3kw inverter/charger, 5 SOK 206AH LiFePo4 batteries for 1030 ah
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nick11
California
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No I am just an fellow RV owner like the rest on here. The OP asked a question comparing these hitches so I am giving my opinion and helping people that do not know there are other options out there besides the standard heavy expensive fifth wheel hitches.
I know you don't have to be perfectly level or perfectly straight but there are significant limitations compared to a cup and ball. I can be way off in both directions and it still just comes on and off the ball with ease because I don't have to drive into or out of the hitch. Some of the places we go this becomes a problem for my friends. This is the real world of off road camping - not paved resorts. It's funny though, anytime I tell people positive feedback about this hitch it causes an argument.
Enjoy folks just my 2 cents and experience with this hitch.
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TXiceman
Bryan, TX
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nick11 wrote:No doubt the BD3 is an awesome hitch and has some articulation. The drawbacks are that it weighs 160 lbs, is over $2k and you need to be pretty level and straight with the trailer to hook-unhook. With the Anderson you can be un level and at 90 deg to your trailer and still hook - unhook with ease. It also rides great going down the road with no airbags to deal with. Extremely simple, easy to use and easy to remove.
Sounds like salesman chatter. I have been using the TS3 for 8 years and it does a great job. It uses the same Holland-Binkley hitch head as the BD5. It is not hard to hitch, and you do not have to be straight or on level ground as you falsely believe. I have hitched and unhitched at nearly 90 degrees to the trailer.
I have had to help several people get their trailer unhitched when the ball is jammed in the receiver. You wind up putting blocks under the front jacks so that you can lift the ball and pin clear of the hitch and then beating the ball and pin until it releases.
As for the weight and price, you get what you pay for. No way would I consider pulling my trailer with the Anderson hitch.
Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
2013 HitchHiker 38RLRSB Champagne (FORSALE), toted with a 2012, F350, 6.7L PSD, Crewcab, dually. 3.73 axle (truck is sold), FORMER Full Time RVer. Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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nick11 wrote:No doubt the BD3 is an awesome hitch and has some articulation. The drawbacks are that it weighs 160 lbs, is over $2k and you need to be pretty level and straight with the trailer to hook-unhook. With the Anderson you can be un level and at 90 deg to your trailer and still hook - unhook with ease. It also rides great going down the road with no airbags to deal with. Extremely simple, easy to use and easy to remove.
The airbags are what seperates the Hensley hitches from the pack.
They absorb the bumps in the road. vs. the trailer and truck frame taking the impact of the road.
The BD separates into 2 pieces making easy enough to remove.
Having a totally empty bed is overated. I use my truck for work and never have an empty bed.
The hitch,tools,supplies, lumber something is always in the bed.
19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
BD3,RV safepower,22" Blackstone
Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,Hughes autoformer
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Correct Trax,Splendide
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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ford truck guy wrote:ESDA wrote:Buyinh first 5th wheel. Weight is around 14,500 with a pin weight of 2,900. Trying to decide between the trailersavor and the Anderson Ultimate. I realize they are completely different style of hitches. I like the trailersavor with the airbags and how sturdy it is (plus I have the hensley arrow so I know the company. The Anderson looks appealing due to the ease of getting in and out, plus it seems to be easier to hook up. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Lots of conversation on this site about this exact question...
You will now get possibly 100 different reasons why you should like 1 over the other..
Do yourself a favor and look under the search tab for hitches and read away..
Looking at the 2, with a DRY weight of 14,000, I would NOT chose an Anderson.. From MY understanding, they are great hitches, but better for lighter fifth wheels.. But then again, that is only MY assessment after reading all ( most ) of the posts....
I have NOT had either so I am of no help... BUT , ask me about my B&W Companion ! ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
Hard braking took this one out!
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/yQfRR75l.jpg)
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"
"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable
2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD
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austinjenna
Columbus, Ohio
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Another BD3 user here and after having a reese solid hitch I would never go back to a solid one. You do get what you pay for, my bed is chock full of firewood as well.
2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed
2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
Reese 16K
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Bad Brad
Utah
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Joined: 10/15/2003
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Cummins12V98 wrote:ford truck guy wrote:ESDA wrote:Buyinh first 5th wheel. Weight is around 14,500 with a pin weight of 2,900. Trying to decide between the trailersavor and the Anderson Ultimate. I realize they are completely different style of hitches. I like the trailersavor with the airbags and how sturdy it is (plus I have the hensley arrow so I know the company. The Anderson looks appealing due to the ease of getting in and out, plus it seems to be easier to hook up. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Lots of conversation on this site about this exact question...
You will now get possibly 100 different reasons why you should like 1 over the other..
Do yourself a favor and look under the search tab for hitches and read away..
Looking at the 2, with a DRY weight of 14,000, I would NOT chose an Anderson.. From MY understanding, they are great hitches, but better for lighter fifth wheels.. But then again, that is only MY assessment after reading all ( most ) of the posts....
I have NOT had either so I am of no help... BUT , ask me about my B&W Companion !
Hard braking took this one out!
Just an FYI, I've had all 6 tires locked up on my 394 Momentum...well over 18,000 lbs, no problem with my AUH. BTW, fully loaded I'm close to 20,000 and never an issue for over 4 years. Honest and real experience here.
2023 Ford F450 Lariat, 6.7 H.O., 10 Speed
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394
2010 Polaris RZR S
2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000
2 boys 26 & 23 yrs
A Super AWESOME Wife of 38 years
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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This whole thread is a classic case of you don't know what you don't know.
The Trailersaver selling point is the smooth ride it delivers because it has air bags.
Comparing a non air bag hitch to it is pointless. The Trailersaver does not claim to be light weight or the absolute easiest hitch to remove.
If you want to compare a Trailersaver to another hitch you need to experience the smooth ride it deliveres, If you haven't experienced its main selling feature there is really no comparison.
Like wise if you must have a clean bed above all and that is your priority. The Andersen will be a better choice.
These are 2 very different hitches with very different features. Making a decision between the 2 is quite simple.
If
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Cptnvideo
Arizona - most of the time
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Well said, Lantley.
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cummins2014
Utah
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Bad Brad wrote:Cummins12V98 wrote:ford truck guy wrote:ESDA wrote:Buyinh first 5th wheel. Weight is around 14,500 with a pin weight of 2,900. Trying to decide between the trailersavor and the Anderson Ultimate. I realize they are completely different style of hitches. I like the trailersavor with the airbags and how sturdy it is (plus I have the hensley arrow so I know the company. The Anderson looks appealing due to the ease of getting in and out, plus it seems to be easier to hook up. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Lots of conversation on this site about this exact question...
You will now get possibly 100 different reasons why you should like 1 over the other..
Do yourself a favor and look under the search tab for hitches and read away..
Looking at the 2, with a DRY weight of 14,000, I would NOT chose an Anderson.. From MY understanding, they are great hitches, but better for lighter fifth wheels.. But then again, that is only MY assessment after reading all ( most ) of the posts....
I have NOT had either so I am of no help... BUT , ask me about my B&W Companion !
Hard braking took this one out!
Just an FYI, I've had all 6 tires locked up on my 394 Momentum...well over 18,000 lbs, no problem with my AUH. BTW, fully loaded I'm close to 20,000 and never an issue for over 4 years. Honest and real experience here.
Thats an old picture circulated more than any I can count, mostly by the same person . Here is what doesn't get said is that that Andersen was redesigned after that . Has there been any problem like that since ?
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