Ok all you travel trailer types I am asking for your opinions on the Hensley Hitch (I know...opinions are a dangerous thing!). Here's the question at hand...
How big/heavy a trailer would you say would warrant the Hensley Hitch? I know that on small and medium sized trailers an Equal-i Zer hitch is ok, but when would you start considering the heavier (and more expensive) Hensley hitch?
"There's no such thing as too much tow vehicle!"
Wes, Linda, & kids
"Tow Twuck" - 2008 Ford F350 DRW CC LB 6.4 Powerstroke
"Cougar" - 2006 Keystone Cougar 289EFS Fifth Wheel Our Website
It's not so much trailer size as it is trailer size to tow vehicle size ratio. The smaller the TV the more likely it is that the Hensley will help. With the tow vehicle in your signature, you probably would never need a Hensley.
Bill Simonds
'07 Maxlite 28RL by R-Vision
'08 Armada LE 4X4
Hensley Arrow hitch
TruControl brake controller
Ohhhh, you're going to get all kinds of responses on this question, that will be all over the board.
There are a zillion factors that enter into this, so its really hard to nail it down to just one specific factor (trailer length) that would determine whether a high end hitch like this is needed.
Very generally speaking, though, IMO when trailers get to be 30' or longer, its time to seriously consider a high end hitch (Hensley, ProPride, or PUllrite) of some kind.
Here again, though, it really depends on many other factors as well, not the least of which is just what kind of tow vehicle we're talking about. If you're pulling with a 1 ton dually truck, then a Hensley hitch probably is not needed until you get more in the 35-40' range. Lot of other factors enter into it as well, as I'm sure you know..
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 )
The size of the TT or TV has little to do with the use of a Hensley.
What determines it is the drivers want or need for the extra security the Hensley provides OR
The amount of stability (or lack of it) that any combination may have.
One towing specialist here in the area promotes the Hensley for many trucks and SUV's yet we see many smaller vehicles towing large TT's coming off their lot with conventional WDH hardware.
I have a 2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax. We bought a 28 foot keystone Laredo bunkhouse- as a first time rv purchase. According to all the "propaganda" from Toyota (and don't get me wrong- I LOVE the truck) we would be within weight limits, etc. We got a Reese dual camHP with the trailer. Pulled it home just fine and our first few trips were shorties. The first time I pulled it down the interstate was a different story. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. When I think about how out of control we really were, and that I had my wife and kids with me, well, at least I had the sense to come home the long way- on small highways. I started searching what could be wrong. I reset the hitch- no help. Took it to a very reputable dealer and had them tweak it. Still no. I took it to a segmented scale and weighed it every way to Sunday, and we were within limits (80% of all total weights...) My wife and I sat down and had a heart to heart about whether we were going to continue camping as I flat REFUSED to drive the rig over 60 mph and the interstates were an exercise in driving forwards while looking backwards. I found a few used Hensleys reasonable, contacted Hensley to look up the ser numbers and they had just refurbished a unit. Got it for a little more than a used, but got the warranty and the 60 day return policy. I put it on and pulled it down the interstate. Took a trip about three hours away. I'm still within my 60 day window, but I'm not sending it back. I believe it does what it says it does. I really don't like the fact of how expensive it was, but when I consider I've got over 40K invested in the whole rig, it's not that big a slice of the pie. I find my fuel mileasge is best around 65mph, so that's what I drive, but, I tell you that I feel a lot safer with the Hensley. Some people may say I'm justifying it, blah, blah, blah, but it works for us. I've practised emergency stops with it and the whole rig feels solid. It saved us selling the camper. For some reason, our two vehicles just didn't play well together. Maybe others would have lived with it, but believe me- the old way was UGLY, and it works for ME. Hope this helps.
Dave
Lots of good comments here. I tend to agree that the longer the trailer gets in relation to the TV, the greater the need for more advanced hitch technology like the Hensley. But that does not take into account personal attitudes relating to safety and handling. There's just no simple forumlae.
Case in point: I towed a 30 foot TT with my shorty Yukon in the SIG. The dealer, a well known "hitch expert" and Hensley dealer, recommended a simple EZ-Lift with single friction sway bar. I was a bit skeptical, but they set up a test tow to prove it (I was amazed how well it towed). But regardless, I made the decision to buy the Hensley for my own reasons -- and for me that was the right thing to do. I've never regretted spending the money.
So besides the physics involved, personal preference has a lot to do with it.
Gary
2001 Airstream Safari 25SS tugged by 2001 GMC Yukon 5.3L 3.73
Hensley Arrow • Jordan Ultima • Barker 3000 • Mckesh
Road Ruler wrote: The size of the TT or TV has little to do with the use of a Hensley.
What determines it is the drivers want or need for the extra security the Hensley provides OR
The amount of stability (or lack of it) that any combination may have.
The Arrow also has the advantage of being more elgant to use, in my opinion anyway. I end up with less grease on my person with it and there is no playing with bolts to get a partial link change when I want to tweak the WD force. I have a toy hauler with a water tank at the extreme front end and a fairly small TV for the weight of the trailer and it makes a noticable differance to be able to vary the weight distribution easily given the hitch weight can vary by 30%+ on a given trip and I am fussy about the ride.
I know from some posts that not everyone may agree with the ease of hitching up, but I find it no harder than with a conventional setup and including the rest of the process being easier it is overall faster to hookup.
My only complaint is it's endless need for grease on the bar bearings, an everyday task when your traveling. Did they ever launch that competitor to the Arrow that was supposed to be out in the spring? Reducing the amount of grease and the abililty to vary the drop without having to get a new bar would seem to be obvious things that could be fixed and make a very good system even better. One I know is fixed with the adjustable bar.
Road Ruler wrote: The size of the TT or TV has little to do with the use of a Hensley.
What determines it is the drivers want or need for the extra security the Hensley provides OR
The amount of stability (or lack of it) that any combination may have.
One towing specialist here in the area promotes the Hensley for many trucks and SUV's yet we see many smaller vehicles towing large TT's coming off their lot with conventional WDH hardware.
I have to disagree. Our current TT is our fourth and longest - went from a 19' to 25' to previous of 27', all pulling with weight distributing hitch and anti-sway bar. Not a bit of problem in any kind of wind, no sway, no ya (if that's how you spell it). Oh by the way, same TV with last two except for the 19 footer - had an F150 for that one - single cab, SW 2WD. Then came along the current pleasure - 32' + Komfort. First trip out was a knuckle grip ride the entire way and that was on flat highway. Dealer suggested welding another anti-sway bar on the other side so that we had two. Komfort suggested rearranging our load - what load? We often travel light, i.e., lots of empty cupboards but maybe 1/2 to 3/4 full 60 gallon water tank and if heading out for dry camping, a full tank. But on the trip we had awful sway, and I mean awful - we had an empty tank because we were headed to full hookups. We almost got a Reese but with no guarantee it would work and we would be on the hook to find someone to buy it back from us, we researched and decided to try the Hensley - money back guarantee within 90 days of first use. Now this was March and the salesperson started our 90 day clock ticking in May to give us plenty of time to go on trips. Expensive? You bet! But the ride and stability we get using it to tow our unit is priceless. No sway, nothing and I would recommend it to anyone out there with a TT longer in wheelbase than their TV. Those coming off the lot with conventional WDH may not do it for long or think that's the way it's supposed to be and then they're the folks that let their units sit in their driveways because towing is no fun. You've got two Hensley believers here.
2006 282TS 32' Komfort
1999 Ford F250 4x4 XLT SD Triton V10 with Tow Package
Prodigy Brake Control
Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust, FIPK, and TransGo Shift Kit
Hensley Arrow
Dave and Renee plus Champ, Molly (in spirit), Missy and now Maggie Along for the Ride!
I just looked at the ProPride hitch - sure looks like a Hensley base to me except it's not orange and the yoke is different. Pretty close in price to a Hensley. Why go with an imitation when you can have the tried, true, and tested Hensley?
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