I was getting ready to buy a new Hensley Arrow hitch this month while they are still on sale but now I read that a hensley bump made a RVer almost loose control of his travel trailer how is that possible? Also I herd on another forum that their will be a new hensley type of hitch on market next month for 1,000 less then the hensley arrow & its being built by the old VP of Hensley that went out on his own. I would like input on the bump from HA owners only please, others could not know if they don't own one. Thanks Dan
Best way to find out is do a search for "hensley bump". There is lots of info available. That said I tow with a Hensley and a Prodigy brake controller and though I only pulled about 1500 miles I have yet to experience the bump.
Bud
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS The Jaybird
2006 Dodge 2500 Mega Cab 5.9 CTD
Prodigy, Hensley Arrow
Schnauzer- Sir Winston
I have had two different Hensley's on two different trailers. First, the Hensley makes a remarkable, almost unbelievable difference in towing. Second, the "bump" is under a hard stop, the forces can cause a little movement on the cams in the hitch, causes what feels like you ran over a very little bump in the tow vehicle. I have felt it many times. I can't see how it could ever cause anyone to loose control of their vehicle. Third, the new type Hensley you are referring to is rumor right now. The original designer of Hensley sold his rights to the company that now produces, manufactures, and sells the Hensley. Its design is patented, and I am almost positive the patent is in effect for years to come. So, the original designer of the Hensley will have to develop another design which could very well be in the making. Fourth, the naysayers you hear on the forums almost exclusively don't own a Hensley, never towed with a Hensley, and know very little about a Hensley, but they seem to know everything wrong with a Hensley. Fifth, buy the Hensley, try it out towing, and if you don't like it, ship it back at their expense. You will loose nothing if you don't like it, and gain remarkable towing advantages if you do keep it.
I have had my Hensley for two years now and have not experienced the bump. It will not normally happen if you have your brake controller set to lead your truck brakes.
There IS a new Hensley hitch coming out. It is called the Pro Pride hitch and is designed by Mr. Hensley and marketed by the former VP of the Hensley Arrow hitch company. It works the same as the present Hensley hitch as far as I know and is a bit cheaper. I have seen pictures of it. It will be marketed by a company called Pro Pride Inc. but I don't know if they have a company website yet or not.
Do NOT be swayed from purchasing a Hensley hitch because of what you have read about the bump. It is not a regular "feature" of the hitch and seldom happens. You are well advised to be aware that it is possible though, and make sure your equipment is set up properly. The hitch makes towing a very pleasurable experience and, in my opinion, is well worth the money it costs.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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We bought a HA this summer and have pulled it about 2000 mile so far and haven't had a panic stop so I haven't had the bump (and hope I don't) our new trailer is 37 FT. 8" from the front of the HA to the spair tire, I pulled this TT about 3500 mile before buying the HA and this is our 6th TT in 40 years and after the frist time out with the HA in about 5 miles down the interstate I know they weren't going to get it back. I love it.
It's a great product. I hope one day it'll become standard and cheaper for all bumper pulled trailers.
As far as lost control.. 30 years towing I’ve had serious control problems with common hitch set ups.
Many people don’t know this but friction control hitches loose much of it’s control effect in wet weather. I even had one that said to turn it off in wet conditions. I had a bar break, a friction ball break, my coupling jump off the ball and my Dual Cam act up in high winds. Just getting the right adjustments for them to work is a pain. So you can loose control with any of them, but I’ll bet you have to dig deep to find a Hensley going bad on someone.
I've had my '95 HA since 2002, towed several thousands of miles including much moutain travel, and never never experienced the bump. The only places I could imagine the bump coming from are if the struts aren't snug, if the bearings aren't correctly set, or if there's slop in the drawbar & 5/8" pin in the receiver. (The bearings are Timken-type tapered roller bearings just like wheel bearings, and need the bearing lock nut set with the correct very-small clearance. There are no cams in the HA.) One of the HA weight distributing spring bars can break just the same as a conventional w/d hitch.
I'm free of prostate cancer for 5 years now.
All men over age 50 should get an annual PSA blood test. Mine had a low reading, but the yearly jump was significant. The biopsy showed cancer just entering the aggressive stage. Dr. Hackenslash removed it.
You have to see a Hensley in operation to really understand, but the hitch is composed of an upper and lower unit which pivot on each other. When the lower unit is fully pivoted, it is offset from the upper unit. In braking, if the TT brakes are weak or come on after the TV brakes, the lower unit can pivot to the side and the TT push on the TV at an offset angle, possibly causing the rear of the TV to be pushed out of line.
Like Barney said, if the controller is set right, it won't happen. I have yet to feel the "bump" myself.
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"
Flagstaff 26RLS
Hensley Arrow
Prodigy BC
It has never happened to me is not an explanation of the "Bump". The Hensley hitch is designed to be "locked" in the straight forward tow mode. It is not locked when the tow vehicle is not in line with the trailer. The "Bump" occurs mostly going down hill, in slippery conditions and normally only in a curve. If conditions cause the trailer or tow vehicle to slide during these kind of events the trailer will be out of the lock mode and can "buckle over" the hitch. The "bump" is when the hitch reaches the limit of travel and in simple terms, bumps the tow vehicle and further aggravates an already out of control condition. The trailer or tow vehicle has to be "out of control" for this to happen. The slight peculiarity of the Hensley hitch is an aggravating event not a cause event.
Thankyou for your reply's. I see one of you were from South Dakota, I lived there when I was young, Sioux Falls to be exact, but now out west in New Mexico. I really want the Hensley, but should look at the new pro pride but don't know if I should buy a not proven yet hitch or not. I made that mistake when I bought my Crossroads Cruiser, I bought the 1st year they manufactured my model. What a mistake that was but luckily I'm a good welder & mechanic. Thanks Dan
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