Tripwire
Montana
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Joined: 06/17/2008
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I've tried to wade thru the thread on the Hensley Arrow and to be honest as a newby I really don't want to know "why" it works. only that it does..
My TV is a 350 Dodge Diesel SRW...my TT is an AF 25 ft slider..
My dealer is trying to sell me a "friction bar type..Reese? but I have read everywhere that those are a piece of junk ...everybody says the HA is the best...
I know you get what you pay for and as a newby I'd rather buy one bar...so I'm thinking HA..
Please without getting into a war over it can you good folks please tell me thru your own experinces which should I get?
I'm assuming if I enjoy full timing I will move up to a bigger unit..but that's down the road..
What would you do now that you've been around the block?
Thanks
Tripwire
* This post was
edited 07/03/08 11:56pm by an administrator/moderator *
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downtheroad
Tumbling Waters, Washington
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Full timing has nothing to do with it...sway is sway and towing safely ever time is the goal...full timing or once a summer.
If your trailer is set up level or slightly nose down and loaded correctly, I think you should be fine with a friction bar. I don't like them, but it should be ok with your particular combination... 3500 heavy duty and small trailer under 26 ft.
Give it a try. Hensley are no doubt excellent hitches, but with your combination you certainly don't need a Hensley and I'll debate that until the cows come home.
GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
08 Komfort 277TS Our Rig Pic
Reese Dual Cam HP
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Tripwire
Montana
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I should have read a bit further down as the same debate is rageing.. I guess it's up to me and my wallet..
I have yet to see a price tag on a HA...the reese my dealer is pushing is about 200.00 or so...can't remember at the moment...haven't signed the papers yet...
I did see where somebody bought a used HA for 1700.00....WOW!! that's used price????? I may not want one...
But I'm looking down the road at maybe a bigger unit so why buy twice??
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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A new HA is over $3000.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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StuartW
Virginia
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Joined: 06/16/2003
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You should be fine with an Equalizer hitch given your tow vehicle and trailer combination. This hitch will cost somewhere around $400. I use an Equalizer to pull a 26' Holiday Rambler with a 3500 long bed 4x4 CTD SRW and I've had it in some tough conditions without so much as a warble. It's very easy to hitch up and adjust if necessary.
That said, I've had a Hensley Arrow on an older TT/TV combination (Dodge 2500 with an AF31) and am familiar with that hitch option - yes, they do cost ~$3000 new. But you really shouldn't need one as you have plenty of truck and a relatively small coach.
Safe Travels!
* This post was
edited 07/03/08 08:56am by StuartW *
StuartW
2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie
CTD HO 4x4 SRW LWB QC / Leer 100XQ cap
2005 HR Savoy SL 26RKS
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GHarper
New Hampshire
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I've been running a friction sway for years and have had no issues. I understand the HA design and yes it is good but for the amount I tow, I can't justify the cost. I also like the Pull-right unit from a design but the same issue...cost! I would think with a TV of your size with the TT listed you should see no issues, IMHO
1994 Suburban 3/4 ton +
2008 Crossroads Zinger ZT29DB
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baldag
Chattanooga Tn
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Sway is caused by forces on the trailer which try to make it move sideways. The pivot point for sway is at the ball and coupler. When the trailer begins to sway, it forces the rear of the TV to one side or the other. THIS IS BAD.
There are two ways to eliminate or reduce sway;
1)Mechanically move the pivot point from the ball and coupler to a more resistant spot. Only 2 hitches do this - the Pullrite and the Hensley. They move the pivot point to the rear axle of the TV, where stability is the greatest (the Hensley actually creates a moveable pivot point, depending on the angle of turn).
2)Add devices to the hitch that damp the sway. This is what sway control hitches do, lessen to one degree or another, the movement of the TT.
One option solves the sway problem, the other option reduces it.
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
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DeutscheMan
Oregon Coast
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Lots of people pull with the Hensley including us. I have nothing to compare it to, because this is our first TT. However, having pulled fifth wheels, I was attracted to it because the towing character is similar to a fiver. The pivot point is over the rear axle of the TV which makes turning easier. They are expensive, about $3k, but a quality 5th wheel hitch is expensive as well. I think the hitch is probably one of the best investments for your rig you can make. It will also depreciate a lot less than your trailer. If your are planning on upgrading to a larger rig, you can swap it over to the new one. We have over 2000 towing miles with it now, and I'm glad I bought it. There is NO sway, EVER. I have talked to folks that have the EZ Lift, and the Equalizer system, and they like them. They haven't pulled with the HA, so like me, they have nothing to compare them to.
Bill
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Dixonmatco
Santa Rosa, California
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Joined: 04/29/2006
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My setup is a Silverado 1500 extra cab and a 26' trailer. I use a friction bar..
It has reduced the sway problem to the non-existant level.. Over 20,000 miles of towing with this setup in almost all imaginable conditiions. (except snow)
My Trailer is properly set up with proper tongue weight, the FW tank is directly between the axles and the TT has shocks. All of this is a factor.
2000 Chevy Silverado 1500
2005 Komfort Trailblazer T23S
Honda EU2000I
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Get him to up grade to the Reese Dual Cam HP or Straight-Line hitch which has Sway control built in.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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