Andersen Hitches Ranch Hitch 3100 User manual

andersenhitches.com
IMPORTANT! DEALER OR INSTALLER: Please make sure your customer receives
this manual for safety tips, warranty, and future removal or installation information
Important Safety Information .............................................
Parts Illustration .................................................................
Tools Needed for Installation ..............................................
Section 1: Preparation ........................................................
Section 2: Installing the Base Unit .....................................
Section 3: Attaching the Remote Latch Cable Bracket ......
Section 4: Installing Quick Release & Hitch Hookup ..........
Warranty Information .........................................................
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Table of Contents Want to see a video of the install?
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Ranch Hitch Adapter
INSTALLATION MANUAL
For Part #3100 (straight) & #3139 (8” offset) • 24,000 lbs GTWR - 6,000 lbs Tongue
Contact Customer Service: 1-800-635-6106
[e-mail]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Read the entire manual before using the Ranch Hitch Adapter to tow.
Before each trip—and regularly during a trip—check all hardware, bolts and nuts for wear and fatigue, and make
sure that they are all properly tightened and secured in place.
The Ranch Hitch Adapter is NOT recommended for cushioned or movable pin boxes, only on static pin box
applications. If you have a cushioned pin box you may want to use our Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection fth
wheel hitch instead.
As with any 5th wheel hitch, there is a point beyond which every trailer will contact the tow
vehicle. Each trailer is unique, so become familiar with your specic vehicle/trailer limitations.
Because Andersen Manufacturing has no control over your trailers’ pin box and frame construction, we ask
you to use caution on your rst towing experience with the Ranch Hitch Adapter. Be aware of what your
trailer is telling you. If you are feeling undue chucking, or if you feel signicant surging when stopping or
starting, additional reinforcing gussets may need to be positioned in or on your pin box. A good welder will
be able to shore things up, and you will be safely on your way. If you are unsure, please feel free to call us.
PARTS ILLUSTRATION – Ranch Hitch Adapter
1. Threaded Collar Assembly (one threaded collar and
two split collar halves) #3110
2. Ranch Hitch Adapter Base #3102
3. Set Bolts (2 pcs) #3107
4. Ranch Hitch Stinger (straight or 8” offset) #3101 or #3140
5. Remote Cable Latch and Bracket #3112
6. Self Tapping Screws (2 pcs) #3107
7. 3/4” Grade 8 Bolts with washers and nuts (4 sets) #3107
8. Safety Brake Cable Kit (quick release snap, two 1/4” at washers,
two 1/4” nuts, 1 eye bolt) #3107
9. Spanner Wrench #3104
10. Slide Hammer (optional install tool, not included in kit) #3103
Straight Adapter - Part #3100 8” Offset Adapter - Part #3139
Sold Separately
1
2
3
4
78
5
6
9
10
Tools Needed for Installation
Anti-Seize Grease
Spanner Wrench (included)
Slide Hammer or Gear Puller
“Cheater Pipe” (1.25” IM, less than 4’ long)
Electric Drill with 9/16” drill bit
3/4” Socket for grade 8 bolts
5/16” Socket for self-tapping screws
3/4” Crowfoot Socket or Socket Adapter for set bolts
Torque Wrench capable of at least 180 ft-lbs of torque
Installation Tools
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2
3
4
78
5
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Page 3 of 8 • Andersen Ranch Hitch Adapter Installation Manual 3-2019 • www.AndersenHitches.com
SECTION 1 : PREPARATION
Standard Pin Box Medium-Extended Pin Box Super-Extended Pin Box
30” or Less30” or Less
Over 30”Over 30”
May need extra support
(e.g. steel gusset)
• • CALL IF UNSURE • •
Trailer Preparation
● Thoroughly inspect the trailer’s pin box and frame for cracks or broken welds before installing the Ranch
Hitch Adapter. Repair any problems before installation.
● On used trailers, inspect the king pin for wear and le any misshapen metal round again or the Ranch Hitch
split collar will not install properly.
●If present, remove the plastic anti-friction plate as it is important that the Ranch Hitch adapter base be
mounted directly to the metal of the pin box.
●Use your good judgment in determining that the Ranch Hitch Adapter and the Trailer will work together to
achieve the desired results (e.g. the heavier a trailer is, the shorter or stouter your pin box should be).
1-1. Unpack the Ranch Hitch adapter box and make sure there are no missing parts by comparing items to the
Parts List on page 2 in this manual. Note that the threaded collar is screwed into the black base at the factory
to keep the threads from getting damaged in shipping. Contact Andersen’s Customer Service Dept. If any parts
are missing or damaged.
SECTION 2: INSTALLING THE BASE UNIT
2-1. Liberally apply anti-seize grease to the split collets and
threaded collar (shown right) and the trailer king pin. This
will make removal easier if you ever nd the need.
NOTE: The threaded collar and each split collet is
stamped with an ‘X’ on the bottom. When assembling,
ensure that all ‘X’ marks point down because the
threaded collar and split collets are tapered.
2-2. With the marked ‘X’ pointing down on each piece, slide
the threaded collar over the king pin and, while holding the
collar up, place the split collets around the narrow neck of
the king pin. Slide the threaded collar down over the split
collets and pull tight.
2-3. Seat the threaded collar over the split collets with
enough force that it does not slide up or spin when you
thread the black base onto the threaded collar. You
can accomplish this by using our Slide Hammer (sold
separately, part # 3103) or a gear puller to lightly seat the
threaded collar onto the split collets. If you are using a gear
puller, one full turn from nger-tight is sufcient to seat the
collar and collets.
NOTE: Our Slide Hammer makes both installation AND
removal of the Andersen Ranch Hitch Adapter easier.
2-2
2-3 A 2-3 B
Xs Down

Page 4 of 8 • Andersen Ranch Hitch Adapter Installation Manual 3-2019 • www.AndersenHitches.com
2-4. Apply anti-seize grease to the inner threads of
the Ranch Hitch Adapter base. Thread it clockwise
onto the seated collar, being careful not to cross-
thread the base. Spin the base onto the collar — it
should spin very easily — until the base contacts
the bottom of the pin box. Inspect the base/pin box
contact area and make sure the two touch each
other without any gaps.
2-5. Locate the spanner wrench and “cheater pipe”
(not to exceed 4 ft). Insert spanner wrench into the
punched hole near the bottom of the base. Place
cheater pipe over spanner wrench and tighten to
about 400 ft-lbs torque (this will be about as much
as two men can generate by pulling together on the
end of your cheater pipe). This will nish seating the
threaded collar onto the split collar and ensure a
very strong grip on the king pin.
2-6. Locate the grade 8 bolts, lock washers and
nuts. There are 8 holes drilled in the Ranch Hitch
Adapter Base, but only four need to be used. You
will be responsible to choose which 4 holes will be
used to accept the Grade 8 Bolts. Try to evenly
spread the load as much as possible. Take care to
locate the bolts where they will not interfere with any
gusseting that might be inside the pin box. Drill the
four holes using a 9/16” drill bit. Insert the bolts into
each hole and secure with a lock washer and nut.
Tighten to 55 ft-lbs.
2-4
2-5 A
2-6 A
NOTE: Some pin boxes are enclosed and cannot
be accessed for placement of the washers and
nuts. In this case, or in any other application, the
Grade 8 Bolts can be replaced by 4 one-inch tack
welds placed by a certied welder. Drilling and
tapping the pin box metal to accept the grade 8
bolts will not offer sufcient strength and is not
acceptable. 2-5 B ≈ 400 ft-lbs
2-6 B 55 ft-lbs of torque

Page 5 of 8 • Andersen Ranch Hitch Adapter Installation Manual 3-2019 • www.AndersenHitches.com
2-8. Back the tow vehicle under the trailer and
determine the necessary position of the stinger
to ensure the trailer is level and the overshot has
sufcient clearance from truck bed sideboards.
●If you are installing the #3100 Ranch Hitch
Adapter, install it so the open end of the cable
receiver points toward the pin box.
●If you are installing the #3139 8” offset Ranch
Hitch Adapter, the extension needs to be carefully
positioned parallel to the centerline of the trailer
with the coupler closer to the cab of the tow
vehicle.
When you have determined the nal position of the
Stinger, tighten the set bolts to 180 ft-lbs of torque. 2-8 A 2-8 B
180 ft-lbs
of torque
Towards Cab
SECTION 3: ATTACHING THE REMOTE LATCH CABLE BRACKET
3-1. Use a 5/16” socket to install the two self-tapping
screws provided.
±IMPORTANT The remote latch cable
bracket should be installed so that the cable does
not have any sharp turns or kinks in it. This allows
the cable to operate correctly and prevents it from
binding. For best results, we suggest installing the
latch cable bracket on the opposite side of the pin
box from where the cable enters the stinger.
3-1 B
NOTE: We suggest installing the remote latch
cable bracket at the back of the pin box brackets,
as shown right. If this location does not work on
your trailer, make sure that the latch cable bracket
is installed securely and that the cable and bracket
will not come in contact with the truck side rails.
2-7 A 2-7 B
2-7. Place the stinger into the base and lightly tighten
the set bolts enough to hold the stinger in place.
±IMPORTANT The silver stinger tube has a
scribed line about half way up the tube (See 2-7 B).
This line must NOT be visible when the stinger
is in its nal or lowest adjustment position in the
base or there will not be sufcient stinger material
inside the base for the set bolts to engage.