Bought the Hensley used when we knew we were buying a TT. Lucked out, the owner was willing to deliver and help install for gas money. The Hensley was on the TT when we left the RV dealer.
After seeing the promo videos, I knew the only other hitch I would even consider was the Pullrite, but they didn't make one for my original TV, a Dakota.
Why the Hensley? What % of accidents involving out-of-control trailers are with a Hensley? I remember one last year that got so much attention because it was so rare (the Hensley bump).
No offense to Equalizer or other fine hitches, but when you understand the physical PRINCIPLES behind the Hensley and Pullrite, every other hitch system (except 5th wheel, of course) is inadequate.
George
"I was cut out to be rich, but I got sewed up wrong"
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC Laramie 4x4 SB CTD auto "Buck"
Dutchmen Denali 289RK
Hensley Arrow
Prodigy BC
We lucked out when we bought our used TT. The owner was getting completely out of RVing and included the Hensley in the deal. I remember my Dad cussing about trailer sway on camping trips when I was younger, so I can really appreciate the Hensley experience with our TT.
Don
2005 Alpenlite Aspen 28RL
Hensley Arrow
Prodigy brake controller
McKesh mirrors
Putnam XDR Class V receiver
2007 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 V8, 2WD, 3.73 rear
2007 Kawasaki KLX250, 2004 Yahama TW200
5+ year prostate cancer survivor - Git IT checked!
Moving up from a popup, we went right to a 30 foot TT and wanted to tow with an SUV for a number of reasons. I read everything I could find on hitches and was seriously considering the Equal-i-zer because it was similar to the Reese Mini-350 we had on our popup and provided a combination of sway and WD control.
During our search for a trailer a well-known local dealer and hitch expert (who sells Hensley's BTW) set us up to test tow a 30 footer with a simple EZ-Lift w/single friction sway bar just to prove what a properly set up hitch can do, and to demonstrate that a Hensley wasn't necessary for us, but it was an option. The test tow went very well, but the more I read about the Hensley and owners experiences the more impressed I was - so I bought a refurbished model direct from Hensley Corp.
I've heard that a dealer once said the only people towing with Hensleys are those that have lost a trailer to an accident or nervous nellies. I guess you can count me in the last group, because I don't want to be in the first!
All I know for sure is that, given my experience towing with the Hensley the last two years, and reading about others experiences, I'm convinced that buying the Hensley was the best RV equipment decision I ever made. Why? Because its basically idiot proof. Once installed correctly (fairly easy to do) there's nothing to adjust. It works perfectly first time and everytime. To me the piece of mind is worth every penny I paid. Some day I'll trade my Yukon and the trailer, but the Hensley is here forever. It performs so well that I'm reconsidering my future plans to move up to a 5th wheel - from a handling perspective there's just no need to. And I'd MUCH rather have a passenger TV than a pickup truck.
Sorry for being a little OT, but I'm also killing a little time waiting for Spring!
* This post was
edited 02/04/07 10:29am by Garfie|d *
2001 Airstream Safari 25SS tugged by 2011 Chevy Traverse 3.6L AWD
Hensley Arrow • DirecLink • Mckesh
Set up by Can-Am RV
baldag wrote: ---What % of accidents involving out-of-control trailers are with a Hensley? I remember one last year that got so much attention because it was so rare (the Hensley bump).
George,
In response to your question --
There have been at least five loss-of-control accidents in the last five years in which a TT was attached to a Hensley Arrow. All of these LOC accidents occurred while braking (perhaps related to the "Hensley Bump").
If you consider that HAs are a very small percentage of hitches in use, an accident rate of one per year probably is comparable to, perhaps even greater than, the rate for all hitches.
Because of the "Hensley Bump" feature, it is especially important to use a high-quality brake controller and ensure that it is adjusted so the TT brakes lead the TV brakes.
Ron Gratz wrote: If you consider that HAs are a very small percentage of hitches in use, an accident rate of one per year probably is comparable to, perhaps even greater than, the rate for all hitches.
[quote=Ron Gratz
If you consider that HAs are a very small percentage of hitches in use, an accident rate of one per year probably is comparable to, perhaps even greater than, the rate for all hitches.
I Agree 100% with Ron,
To answer your Question, I don't have one, to me IN MY OPINION
they are over priced, I don't want to start a war but that is my OPINION.
If they are supposed to be the Safest Hitch sold why is it that Hensley has not lowered the price and make them more attractive to everyone,
I say this because of a correspondence with a Rep with Hensley and I QUOTE, Hensley are the BEST all other are NOT SAFE.
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
* This post was
edited 02/04/07 11:23am by irishguy101 *
Joe Dianne
and Spanky a Jack Russell
2004 Durango Limited w/Hemi
2005 Sunline T280 SR
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