Anderson WD on Swing Away hitch

eddugo · 08-29-2013, 06:22 AM

Just wondering if anyone has tried the Anderson on a swing away hitch on a 2720SL? I know I can add a link or two to make the chains long enough but I am worried about the rubber springs and threads working with the framwork for the front slide. I have one on order, but it is a week out.
I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro, but the spring bars are too short and they could not give me a fix.

eddugo · 08-29-2013, 06:31 AM

Sorry about that giant pic - can't seem to get rid of it - deleted, but it's still there.

MarkoPolo · 08-29-2013, 06:37 AM

Mine is not a swing away, but I think it would work. Seems that it would be better to be past the joint in the frame arms. My issues were the opposite, the slide mechanism underneath the frame members limited how far back I could place the holders, so I had to cut off two links on each side and then found there was not enough room for the Andersen 1&1/2" socket and ratchet to fit. A crescent wrench worked fine, till I got combination box end wrench from Amazon for about $9. There certainly was a very noticeable improvement in towing with the hitch vs. without. Highly recommended.
Mark

eddugo · 08-29-2013, 07:24 AM

Thanks for the info Mark. I will not be able to move forward - if anything I will have to move back a little because of the swing away. Thinking i can move the bracket down to the 6" frame holes and use a 1" spacer?? Think 1" down would clear the obstruction?
I see you have an EcoBoost as well - I got 19.3 MPG pulling the TM home on the flat FLorida roads.

**Bill** · 08-29-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddugo

Sorry about that giant pic - can't seem to get rid of it - deleted, but it's still there.

Ed -

I think you deleted your profile pic. The pic you refer to is your avatar. I reduced it to 30% using Microsoft Paint (a simple program that is part of all versions of Windows at least through XP), and now it looks pretty good.

Bill

eddugo · 08-29-2013, 07:59 AM

Thank you!

MarkoPolo · 08-29-2013, 11:29 AM

Ed,
I think we are on the same page--further back from the tow vehicle. The screw holes aligned nicely above and below my frame, can't remember which hole I used. As for mileage--about 12.5 pulling up the mountain passes, a lot more coming down and an average of about 14.8 mpg. Never gotten above 18 on the flat here, but never have been below 4500 ft. elevation either. Can't believe how much power that Eco-boost has. I could go WAY faster than would be safe

Mark

eddugo · 08-29-2013, 02:47 PM

Mark
Ok, will find out on Tuesday. If I have to I can make a special frame bracket. Looks like, if I am figuring this correctly that the tensioner will hit the gas bottle frame work - guess I will have to wait and see.
EcoBoost power is unreal. I tow at about 50 feet elevation on very flat roads. All around driving - 2 lane highway and stop and go city, I get right at 19. Highway at around 60 mph, I get just under 22 mpg - truck empthy with a cab high cap. My truck is an ext cab 2011 f150 4x4 XLT with 9,700 miles. I would love to test drive the new Torus as it has the same engine and is very light weight - will bring me back to my old Drag Racing days.

.

eddugo · 08-29-2013, 02:49 PM

Bill
What make/model hitch are you using - just in case I can't get the Anderson to fit?

**Bill** · 08-29-2013, 03:06 PM

Ed -

I'm using a rather plain-Jane Reese trunnion hitch. Possibly model 66540, though the label has long since worn off. The two flat springbars have the cute little bend in the end to accept the dual cam sway control brackets, though I never bought those. A thoroughly good experience during 10+ years of TM'ing.

Bill