I will, no doubt, be accused of "fear mongering", but here it goes anyway: People come with lots of different personality types, especially when it comes to risk rcognition/risk avoidance/balancing risk. I was a race car driver when I was young and as little as possible was left to chance. At 115 mph in the traps is not the time to realize you are riding on "close enough" parts or incorrectly maintained parts. Later in life I was a private pilot (until health issues made me stop). At 15,000 ft. buried in the clouds (IFR) is not the time to come to the realization you took some maintenance shortcuts you probably shouldn't have.
Same deal when towing. My TV is a CC, LB F-350 PSD. I tow a 34' that weighs around 9,500. I am on my second PullRite. I typically have two 500 lb. ATVs loaded across the bed at bedrail height. That's a significant amount placed kinda high. Yes, the PR makes towing much easier than: nothing, a friction bar or the DC. The PR also does some tricks that no other TT hitch will do, including the HA. But all of this is "gravy."
Because of my life experiences I choose equipment for the worst reasonably possible event. To me, the fact that a setup tows great on the average day is meaningless. The real question is, what happens when the human excretia impinges itself upon a series of rotating airfoils? Say, for example, the TT shreds a tire at 68mph. Or perhaps you reach for a map and one set of TT tires drops off the pavement onto a soft shoulder. Or perhaps some guy pulls into your lane and cuts you off on a downhill sweeper? Roads that suddenly become that weird grooved stuff when they're re-doing the road. Last one: What if they close I-5 unexpectedly and you are forced to detour across the OR coastal range at midnite in a blowing, driving, winter storm towing a 31' TT? (I counted several semis off in the trees on steep slopes.) When I got to CA, I hugged that PR.I am satisfied that one reason I'm still here annoying folks is my PR.
As I said at the outset, everybody's level of tolerance and estimation of risk is different. For many posters, the costs vs the benefits just don't make a modern hitch worth the money. The fact that both the HA and the PR do what they say is really beyond question. The HA and PR do prevent sway. Whether removing that small risk of loss of control under rare circumstances is worth the amount charged is entirely a personal choice. I have noticed that people who don't want to spend "extra" money seem to change their positions after one, good, sway "event." :-)
Ok, now with all this discussion about the Hensley, ProPride, and PullRite, which would yall purchase if you was in the market for one. Why would you choose it.
I want all the information I can possible get before I purchase one. So far I am leaning towards the ProPride. I like the apparent added features over the Hensley. The PullRite I believe is without a dought the most stable solution, since it actually does move the pivot point. I haven't heard a whole lot about this hitch though. I don't like the idea that if I was to get a new truck I would have to get a new hitch most likely. Also the nice thing about a TT is that it can be pulled behind most any TV. I have a truck, Wife has an SUV. Both can pull it. With the Hensely and Propride I can move it at no added cost.
What are your thoughts.
Quote: It would be nice if Hensley and ProPride would make a device that would work and approved by them and protect the warrenty. That would even help when you have to park it in that odd position or angle that may make reconnecting difficult. It could be pulled out to more level ground or straight on if needed.
I agree, and Hensley owners asked for such, for years.
Fortunately, Propride is going to offer just such a device for the ProPride hitch. The device they are building, will look very similar to Drfife's contraption, as I understand it. But, it will not require you to put a screwdriver in, to lock the hitch in place.
The owner of ProPride also said that if he determined there was enough demand for such, he'd also make a version of this device, that would fit a Hensley hitch as well.
Quote: Ok, now with all this discussion about the Hensley, ProPride, and PullRite, which would yall purchase if you was in the market for one. Why would you choose it.
As to deciding between a Pullrite type hitch or converging link hitch....Tough decision there, both hitches definitely have their good points and bad points. Knowing what I know about them, I really think I could be happy with either type.
Read some of LAdams's posts on the topic of comparing the two hitch types to help you make that decision. Les is 'bout the only one I know of on here thats used both types, and can really give you some good information comparing the two types.
Now, if you decide on a converging link type hitch (Hensley or ProPride), then among those two, its a no-brainer IMO: I'd go for the ProPride any day. ProPride is considerably less expensive, and has several improvements over the Hensley.
Specifically, some of the improvements I know of with the ProPride (over the Hensley) are:
1. Much better paint used (Hensleys are notorious for rusting a lot, ProPride appears to have fixed that).
2. Better design/mechanism used to lock the hitch head in place on trailer - no more U bolts and shear bolts
3. Adjustable height/angle on the hitch bar
4. Pivot point actually moved even further forward, due to stinger being slightly shorter than Hensley
5. Better design that holds the WD bars in place (does not use grease zerks like Hensley uses, that are prone to wear out with time and allow bars to fall out when unhitched)
6. Jacks used for WD bars place weight on top of A frame instead of outside, reducing risk of the frame brackets bending with age
7. Link pieces, bearings, etc. are built even more solid (thicker, heavier) than ones used on Hensley
8. Availability of adapter piece I mentioned above, that will allow shops to move your trailer if need be
Anyway, sorry if this makes my post sound like an 'advertisement' for ProPride, I can assure you I'm not affiliated with them. You said you wanted as much information as possible, I was just trying to give you that.
* This post was
edited 07/14/08 08:50pm by an administrator/moderator *
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
SteveRankin wrote: ... A TV-based sway control system can NOT eliminate sway, it can only attempt to control it, most likely by using the ABS system to apply individual wheel brakes on the TV to 'control' sway after the fact. IMHO, controlling sway after its started is too late.
Actually, the Ford system will also control the trailer brakes if the integral brake controller is used. I'm skeptical too but standard ABS has proven to be extremely effective and some of the test data for the trailer sway extension seems impressive. I gave up my complete resistance years ago to electronics replacing mechanical systems. There are too many examples where the technology is far superior. That said, it still seems that a trailer should be set up with proper weight distribution, etc. before any thought of replacing a mechanical sway control device with something electronic.
R&DScott wrote: Oh bad,
Now we get to hear about the fact if we use anything but a Hensley we are putting our lives and the lives of others in Danger Again
If you don't want to hear the opinions of Hensley hitch owners, you probably shouldn't click on a topic entitled "Hensley Hitch".
Bill Simonds
'07 Maxlite 28RL by R-Vision
'08 Armada LE 4X4
Hensley Arrow hitch
TruControl brake controller
So far I am sold of the ProPride. I was most impressed with the timely response to my inquiries I sent ProPride. I sent a question via there website and within several minutes I had a response from Sean, the president. I had several other question and each and every one was answered very quickly, and this was on the 4th of July. I would go out of my way to do business with a company that provides above average customer support.
I have ordered a ProPride - waiting on delivery. The way I see it is why not spend the extra money on what is the weakest link in the towing setup. Yes, an equalizer hitch is a good hitch but most of us probably have at least $50k to $60k rolling down the road, so putting 5% of that into a hitch does not seem extravagant. Basically tow with what you are comfortable with, I'm just more comfortable with the best hitch I can buy.
2004 GMC 2500HD CC 6.0/4.10 4x4
2008 Jayco G2 32BHDS
txtaco wrote: I have ordered a ProPride - waiting on delivery. The way I see it is why not spend the extra money on what is the weakest link in the towing setup. Yes, an equalizer hitch is a good hitch but most of us probably have at least $50k to $60k rolling down the road, so putting 5% of that into a hitch does not seem extravagant. Basically tow with what you are comfortable with, I'm just more comfortable with the best hitch I can buy.
I agree 100%. As far as comfort, I am with my Reese D/C, for now. Most of my trips are primarily 100-200 miles one way. I am very alert, kids don't get restless and even with a little sway, the shorter distances of "white knuckles" don't drain me. As the kids get older I plan on taking longer trips and spending a lot of time on interstates.
As far as the expense, that is an obstical, but safety is number one. I don't want to say "I wish I had bought one of those hitches". I would rather say "I am glad I had the hitch".
seb503 wrote: Ok, now with all this discussion about the Hensley, ProPride, and PullRite, which would yall purchase if you was in the market for one. Why would you choose it.
I want all the information I can possible get before I purchase one. So far I am leaning towards the ProPride. I like the apparent added features over the Hensley. The PullRite I believe is without a dought the most stable solution, since it actually does move the pivot point. I haven't heard a whole lot about this hitch though. I don't like the idea that if I was to get a new truck I would have to get a new hitch most likely. Also the nice thing about a TT is that it can be pulled behind most any TV. I have a truck, Wife has an SUV. Both can pull it. With the Hensely and Propride I can move it at no added cost.
What are your thoughts.
Perhaps unfortunately, we bought our new Hensley just before ProPride came out. I'm not completely convinced the design advantages are major, but they do appear worthwhile. The price advantage is definitely significant.
My decision to go with the Hensley instead of a Pullrite is mostly based on the ability of the hitch to go with us onto the next vehicle. The Pullrite becomes a permanent part of the TV so that investment disappears with a change of TV's. OTOH, a used Hensley can be sold on eBay for a considerable sum; I sold our previous Hensley for $2500.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
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