As I mentioned in my previous post, I am an owner and know quite a bit about the Automated Safety Hitch System. I am not a full timer and only use it four or five times a year for trips of 1000 miles or less, round trip. I probably have gotten a lot of my knowledge about the ASH from doing the videos that are on the web site. I am an Electrical and Computer Engineer but that gives me no special authority concerning the ASH. I mention it only to relay that I am not stupid or prone to wild theories.
First let me speak to Roberts? response above. I am not surprised by some of the things that Robert mentioned. For at least a couple things, I am surprised. The fender should not have come off. The bracket that the fender is bolted to (three brackets, I believe) should have been completely welded and inspected before the unit went for powder coating. I do not know how many of them were not completely welded but one would be too many. If the OEM hitch was welded up incorrectly, that should have been identified immediately the first time it was hooked up. They have a jig and plenty of hitches to test that fit. The ASH really does not communicate with the trucks? brake controller, it has a set if wires going straight through to the trailer (7-pin in and 7-pin out), tapping off and sensing the voltage from the brake and turn signals to operate its own brakes and turn signals. This tap is also used for the unlatching logic. Basically, if the trailer brakes and lights did not work, one of the 7-pin connectors was at fault. When backing, there is no difference between a turn signal (or emergency flashers) and tapping the brakes repeatedly. Meet the required number of flashes in a certain amount of time and it will unlatch. My wife and I have a routine where she disconnects the lock actuator before we back in a space. The case that Robert described probably fell into that category (note that at least during that time, he had a good connection). The landing gear is lowered by gravity when disconnecting. If you look at the disconnecting video, you will see that the tow vehicle is allowed to creep ahead at a slow but significant pace. It is that final jerk at the end that raises the hitch so that the landing gear can fully drop. It can take it. Once dropped, there are holes to insert a bolt to keep it locked in that position.
On a different forum, a person complained that the steering latch could bounce and become unlatched if a bump was hit. The latch is held down against a spring. The bump to cause it to be unlatched would cause stability issues but not because of the latch but because the tires of your TV, the ASH and your trailer had left the pavement and you are now bouncing down the highway. I had to throw that one in here because it was so unreasonable. (Also, the latch can only lock the axle straight, it cannot fall on the other side of the blocks, locking the axle in a grossly oversteered condition.)
I received a phone call concerning a rig that was swaying from side to side on a day where there was no side wind. A check of all of the tires showed that many of them were underinflated (down to 30 pounds on some). Pumped them up to recommended pressure and things were fine. It was going to be squirrely if it was a bed mounted hitch also.
I occasionally search for articles/posts about the ASH. That is how I found this thread. Several things that I have noticed over the years is that generally, there are more complaints that praises for it and people don?t like it because of misinformation they have heard. (hate it for the right reasons). I can only think that because a majority of the other owners do not look like I do, they do not respond to questions or misinformation. To be honest, I do not Google my truck looking for comments and it is much more important to me. I can only assume that those 300 to 400 owners like their hitch. Otherwise they would be right there with Robert, telling everyone to avoid it. Obviously, I like it. I understand it and I know what it is capable of and what its? limitations are. It is not a cure-all that will make anyone an instant expert. Like any piece of equipment, there is a learning curve. I am hoping that in the future, there will be more of a community involvement (ASH community, that is) where questions, comments, likes, dislikes, stories and bragging about their rigs will be common. All ASH owners have the same problem. Whenever we stop at a RV park, we get to answer questions about the hitch. Talking about it on the internet would not be much different.
Sorry for the long post. FYI, I do not plan on getting into a posting battle with anyone.
