Best Anti-Sway Tow Hitch

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

It can become a problem when a person becomes paralyzed trying to apply theory when working examples are available for comparison and contrast.

Meaning, that sometimes, process becomes a greater importance than the goal of a safe and well behaved tow combination.

In the RV crowd that "means" a one ton is the practical choice. Since an individual is getting harder pressed to find anything except a truck being used by the herd. Or that any of them can grasp its deficiencies. Trucks are presented as "safe and well-behaved". They're not.

Physics is a language. For our purposes, one doesn't need much of it to get past herd emotional barriers. For they surely are that.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by slowmover

In the RV crowd that "means" a one ton is the practical choice. Since an individual is getting harder pressed to find anything except a truck being used by the herd. Or that any of them can grasp its deficiencies. Trucks are presented as "safe and well-behaved". They're not.

Physics is a language. For our purposes, one doesn't need much of it to get past herd emotional barriers. For they surely are that.

You can have the safest setup there is, and if you freak out and swerve you will roll it anyway. I think the reason so many do okay with trucks is they don't freak out. I've seen people jerk the wheel when a semi puts its blinker on.

[Hans627]

I've been reading this thread with interest. It seems as though those with a PP or Hensley hitch speak very highly of them. Several members of our WBCCI units have one or the other and again recommend them.

One question I have is how forgiving are either of these hitches in the up and down direction (as in porpoising), such as backing into a spot on a sharp angle, or pulling in or out of a drive way? It would seem as though the typical ball hitch would allow more movement in this direction.

Thanks!

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I've been reading this thread with interest. It seems as though those with a PP or Hensley hitch speak very highly of them. Several members of our WBCCI units have one or the other and again recommend them.



One question I have is how forgiving are either of these hitches in the up and down direction (as in porpoising), such as backing into a spot on a sharp angle, or pulling in or out of a drive way? It would seem as though the typical ball hitch would allow more movement in this direction.



Thanks!

Hooking and unhooking at angles can be a challenge at times. In my view this is the devices greatest shortfall. Alignment is critical.

Unhooking can be a challenge when the trailer is uphill from the tow vehicle, and when hooking, the stinger has to go straight into the hitch head.

[Preligen]

Andersen sway control hitch.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Hooking and unhooking at angles can be a challenge at times. In my view this is the devices greatest shortfall. Alignment is critical.

Unhooking can be a challenge when the trailer is uphill from the tow vehicle, and when hooking, the stinger has to go straight into the hitch head.

But it’s nothing that cant be overcome. There is a learning curve because it’s different. The results while going down the road are worth the effort of learning and applying.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I've been reading this thread with interest. It seems as though those with a PP or Hensley hitch speak very highly of them. Several members of our WBCCI units have one or the other and again recommend them.

One question I have is how forgiving are either of these hitches in the up and down direction (as in porpoising), such as backing into a spot on a sharp angle, or pulling in or out of a drive way? It would seem as though the typical ball hitch would allow more movement in this direction.

Thanks!

After the using an Equalizer, a Hensley, and 3 BlueOx, I am still a believer in the BlueOx. Works for us and have got in/out of some very steep and tight places, where I had to hitch up, tow out, and add sway bars when on level surfaces. It works well for sway and load distribution...but others do also. I am used to the hitch and know how to best adjust if needed.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Hooking and unhooking at angles can be a challenge at times. In my view this is the devices greatest shortfall. Alignment is critical.

Unhooking can be a challenge when the trailer is uphill from the tow vehicle, and when hooking, the stinger has to go straight into the hitch head.

I actually understand the challenge of the alignment issue (I actually witnessed a PP being hooked up at our last WBCCI rally). What about a steep angle after the trailer is hooked up? Like on an angle where a driveway on an steep incline meets the level roadway? Is this an issue or will the hitch flex using the spring bars?

My question was not as clear as it could have been for which I apologize!

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I actually understand the challenge of the alignment issue (I actually witnessed a PP being hooked up at our last WBCCI rally). What about a steep angle after the trailer is hooked up? Like on an angle where a driveway on an steep incline meets the level roadway? Is this an issue or will the hitch flex using the spring bars?



My question was not as clear as it could have been for which I apologize!

I have never had an issue with any angle while hooked, there is quite a lot of available tilt angle.

[rmkrum]

I have had no issues hooking up at weird angles. There is plenty of flex because the Hensley designs use the ball to couple the head to the trailer. You just fiddle with the jacks to get the angle right.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

I have had no issues hooking up at weird angles. There is plenty of flex because the Hensley designs use the ball to couple the head to the trailer. You just fiddle with the jacks to get the angle right.

Worst instance I have had was like ten minutes in the the mountains of Ruidoso, NM.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I actually understand the challenge of the alignment issue (I actually witnessed a PP being hooked up at our last WBCCI rally). What about a steep angle after the trailer is hooked up? Like on an angle where a driveway on an steep incline meets the level roadway? Is this an issue or will the hitch flex using the spring bars?

My question was not as clear as it could have been for which I apologize!

It's a matter of degree as with any WDH. Less, to be short. Just hit the dip at a good angle.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

You can have the safest setup there is, and if you freak out and swerve you will roll it anyway. I think the reason so many do okay with trucks is they don't freak out. I've seen people jerk the wheel when a semi puts its blinker on.

Takes a lot less "swerve" with a pickup to induce a rollover. You weren't being comic, were you? The same amount dialled in on a car or some SUVs won't get that reaction at as low a speed as the pickup when all else is the same.

And when the trailer gets far enough out of alignment with the TV, all sorts of fun stuff happens. A hitch that prevents that is worth having.

A pickup while towing is lucky to stay upright past 45-mph in an emergency. The same towing problems for a car are at nearly 60. Sometimes higher.

A VPP hitch keeps the truck out of trouble a little longer. It's not this trailer, generally, that's the problem.

How many feet to get down to 45-mph? To a full stop? If not tested, why?

Avoiding emergencies is primarily sight lines and following distances.

700' at highway speeds? Not less than 100' momentarily, and 200' as the guy ahead is pulling away? Cancelling cruise and reducing speed 10-mph or more? A dozen or more times daily as need requires.

I don't see it on the road. I usually see the magic one tons tailgating in the left lane since someone else is too slow for them. The AS bouncing along on the front axle.

Pickups are handicapped. But not driven that way, is the pity.

Sure makes for great videos, though.


.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

What if I didn’t do any formal equations, and I managed to come up with a great towing combination anyway?

Hi

On a practical basis, that's all we have. None of us seem to have killed ourselves over the length of this thread

My point is - in this era of simulation everywhere and apps for everything, it's not impossible to consider having this in an accessible form. Punch in this and that, see what you get. The liability insurance for the app writer might be a bit interesting

The advantage of simulation is that you *can* try this and that in the comfort of your arm chair. There's no need to do crazy things while renting a race track. You can share the results with others and (to the degree the simulation is correct) everybody can see what happens.

That last little qualifier is the key. Just because some guy named Bob wrote the app, there's no reason to trust it You need a verified simulation process behind the pretty buttons and graphics. Coming up with that math is the easy part of verified simulation .... These guys *did* some verification and it appears to have validated the math. Yes, I *do* understand why they don't just give away the IP their company spent millions of dollars to develop ....

Bob

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I woke up wanting to brush my teeth this morning, but I need to work out a specific formula in order to determine the most effective brush strokes, and to evaluate in detail which specific style and type of toothbrush to use.

My wife says just to give it a try and see how it works, but I cant settle for anything less than perfect. What should I do? <jk>

Did you know you can run an AC unit with a Honda 2000 if you install an ES? I'm just sayin'.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Did you know you can run an AC unit with a Honda 2000 if you install an ES? I'm just sayin'.

You could do that and maybe get away with it, but you should never run a generator without an 85% capacity “safety cushion”, because otherwise it might burst into flames. I read that somewhere.

[rmkrum]

I’m reminded of the old saying, “There comes a time when you must shoot the engineers and build the product.”

I probably spent 2 days researching the Hensley designs, a day deciding, and a couple hours installing and tuning it.

Bottom line, it works. The next refinement, a sop to advancing age and personal laziness is a set of power operated WD jacks for my ProPride, because I’m no longer patient enough to swing a wrench on them for 15 minutes.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

The next refinement, a sop to advancing age and personal laziness is a set of power operated WD jacks for my ProPride, because I’m no longer patient enough to swing a wrench on them for 15 minutes.

I use a 18v rechargeable drill with a socket.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Roadtech

I use a 18v rechargeable drill with a socket.

At 64-mph down the Interstate?

See that thread.

There's adjusting, and there's tuning.
.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by slowmover

At 64-mph down the Interstate?

See that thread.

There's adjusting, and there's tuning.
.

I must be thinking slow today, this makes no sense to me...adjusting WD while going down the Interstate???