[Pahaska]

I have no doubt that the Hensley is the hitch of choice for the longer trailers, overpriced as it may be. I would probably own one if I owned a 30+ foot trailer. I take issue only with those who push the Hensley to users with trailer/tow vehicle combinations where it is gross overkill.

I just looked up Hensley's patents. The big one is for the hitch itself:
US4722542: Trailer hitch assembly – filed 1986

There is another, filed a year later for a bevelled shaft to make hookup easier. Not being a Hensley user, I don't know whether this one is actually used:
US4811967: Trailer hitch - filed 1987

The interesting thing is that the 17 year patent protection is up next year, 2003. The question is, how many others are poised to jump into the fray at that point.

There is no question that the Hensley Hitch, from a purely physical standpoint, is grossly overpriced. I suspect that that situation may change very soon.