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Old 11-03-2014, 08:58 PM   #21
cwf
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hey.. you can install the hitch. The 'ball' is already mounted. All you 'need' to lift the hitch is a buddy.. and then set it on a rolling hydraulic jack... then just pump it up! =)

To 'tighten' the bolts.. just buy the best 'closed' / box end wrenches you can find... then go to a machine shop and buy TWO, 3' length of pipe which will slip over the end of the wrench.. now you can set one in place so the ground holds it in place then tighten the other one by hanging on it with a friend... If you can BREAK the bolts, go buy some made in the USA.
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Old 11-04-2014, 06:48 AM   #22
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...thanks, Channing. I negotiated a free install of my new ProPride as part of the purchase of the new Classic. I watched them do this on my Int'l and will do the same with the new trailer....Have got sockets, torque wrench and breaker bars (which I think are mandatory) for adjusting height and rechecking torque Like most of us with the PP, it does take awhile to dial it in. Think this was part of the reason why my old hitch was so attractive. Incidentally, when I had the install done on my first trailer, the dealer had to go out and buy a torque wrench that would measure 250 lbs. Hope they haven't lost it in the last 3 years!
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Old 11-05-2014, 01:53 PM   #23
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How much length do these hitches add to the trailer? My trailer is 31', will it add a foot or so?

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Old 11-05-2014, 02:03 PM   #24
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It's not too bad if you are on level ground and use a bottle jack or floor jack to hold the heavy bits up whilst you tighten bolts. My daughter and I installed ours. Do get a 250 ft-pound torque wrench to tighten the critical bolts. The latch tool is also the right size and length to torque the stinger bolts. Just read the install directions twice before you start, and measure carefully.


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Old 11-05-2014, 02:31 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by Ted S. View Post
How much length do these hitches add to the trailer? My trailer is 31', will it add a foot or so?

Thanks
It depends what hitch you are comparing it to. I think it's more like 8" longer than a Reese Straight line or and EQ. I'm just kind of SWAGging that as my AS is in storage and I can't go measure against my (back up) Reese.
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Old 11-05-2014, 02:53 PM   #26
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Speaking of a longer hitch, the extra length allows space for the linkage to work and also allows us to lower our tailgate when hooked up.
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Old 11-05-2014, 03:06 PM   #27
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I think it's about 12-18 inches extra overall. I swapped out a Husky WD only hitch and so noted that my tailgate cleared better as well. I'm totally pleased with my ProPride. It saved our butts a couple times in stupid traffic and panic stops already. I really like the way the trailer tows now. Much better tracking, no reaction to wind and close passes by semis, etc.


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Old 11-05-2014, 03:27 PM   #28
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Speaking of a longer hitch, the extra length allows space for the linkage to work and also allows us to lower our tailgate when hooked up.

I forgot about that. I now remember it was a pain getting stuff out of the truck bed when I had the Equal-i-zer.

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Old 11-05-2014, 04:48 PM   #29
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My tailgate opens all the way with my Equal-i-zer...
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Old 11-05-2014, 05:05 PM   #30
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My tailgate opens all the way with my Equal-i-zer...
You must have a tiny tailgate.

Actually, after you posted this I decided to to think about it (that takes all the fun out of it), and realized that I never used the equalizer with the Airstream. It was used on a 21 foot Bigfoot and I could not fully open the tailgate. I bought the ProPride the same time I bought the Airstream.
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Old 11-06-2014, 05:08 AM   #31
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You must have a tiny tailgate.
Or he has a drop bar that's longer. There are different lengths available.
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Old 11-06-2014, 05:29 AM   #32
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We used an Equal-I-Zer before the ProPride and the tail gate could not lower. A longer stinger/drop bar on a conventional hitch would increase trailer sway leverage on the truck as well as make it more difficult to equalize the load.

The longer hitch length of the ProPride/Hensley design also may require higher rated w.d. bars to ensure enough weight distribution, but the 1400# ProPride results in a more flexible hitch connection than the 1000# Equal-I-Zer for us.
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Old 11-06-2014, 05:52 AM   #33
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The longer draw bar is so you can turn the steering wheel all the way (going forward) and the weight bars will not contact the tow vehicle's bumper. It also allows room for the gusset on the drop bar. The tailgate opening fully is a side effect or byproduct, albeit convenient.
I would not choose one hitch over the other based on whether or not the tailgate would open. I had an EazLift before. It was a great hutch, but the tailgate did not open.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:09 PM   #34
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There seems to be some bad blood between them. Are they aware that this is a turn off to their product?
I used to play piano semi-professionally and have had a number of pianos moved both for myself and for churches and other places where I've played.

In the large city nearest to where I live, there are two major piano moving companies. Both provide excellent service, and competition between them has resulted in low prices. The times I've called them for quotes the prices have been within 5% and are competitive with those from general moving companies who do not specialize in pianos.

These two specialist piano movers are, hands down, better at moving pianos than anyone else in town. Pianos often require disassembly to be moved, and I've had other places put them together wrong.

There is a good deal of "bad blood" between these piano movers because the newer company was founded by the former 2nd in command of the older one, reducing the older company's market share and driving down prices.

Such phenomena have been the topic of academic study at business schools. Studies have shown that animosity typically develops in mature markets where there are two major competitors. The classic b-school examples are Coke and Pepsi.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:30 PM   #35
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IMHO some of the bad blood is based on some of what I consider Gonzo marketing tactics on the part of Hensley that I experienced when I was looking at sway control hitch setups.

I went with ProPride because of the lack of high pressure marketing and a strong tendency of Sean to stick to the facts about his hitch. I also talked to him via email and got al my questions answered in a timely, no BS manner.

I don't like seeing safety-related hardware sold by what appeared to me as a used car salesman approach. I am an engineer by trade, and have a very low tolerance of marketing BS. I run on data and facts to make my decisions.

I just like the approach and the design of the PP better. The convenience of an adjustable height stinger was a big plus in my mind. It's a pain to ship heavy it's of steel back and forth to get the right fit. My recent change from a 2WD to 4WD taller TV rely validated that approach.

As always, YMMV. Other opinions are valid as well--this one is mine, and I'm sticking to it. (Grin)


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