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Having once been an RV tech (other brands) and having experienced severe sway more than once, I don't want to do it again. I'm not young and quick on the manual brake control like I used to be.
When we were considering one for our new 34', I downloaded the patent and studied it carefully. It looked like it worked to me. To double-check, I took it to a mechanical engineer I trust to look over it. He assured me it would do what they claimed, and was actually excited about the design.
It's like a seat belt. You may go your whole life and never need it, but when you do, it's too late to go back and use it if you hadn't. The difference is that you'll know when a seat belt saves you, while the Hensley may prevent the situation without you ever being aware it did.
We towed the 34' up to Jackson Center for service on a day a cold front moved through with 35-40 mph winds across the highway, and gusts over 60 mph. Semis were all over the road, but we didn't feel a thing in the truck. Coming home, we'd just entered a construction zone with concrete barriers on each side, when I saw a semi barreling down on us sure to pass. Just as he was blowing past us, the road (and barriers) jogged to go around an overpass support. One sway of the trailer as I made that manuver would've put it into the truck or the barrier. It tracked through like a sports car. That's a great description. It makes the trailer like a 10,000 lb Porsche on my tail through hilly, curvey two-lane roads.
We're sold. Can you tell? My wife was so convinced she sold her favorite motorcycle to pay for it. However, all this being said, I don't believe a Hensley is a substitute for a proper tow vehicle, the way their marketing and at least one Airstream dealer present it. It's an extra margin in a addition to it.
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