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Old 12-19-2013, 09:25 AM   #1
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Needed: ProPride Hitch installer in Texas (DFW Area)

I have purchased a brand new 27FB International Onyx from Vogt RV in Ft. Worth. I have also ordered and received a ProPride 3P hitch. Airstream is still at dealer while I wait for my tow vehicle to come in on order (should arrive in the next week). Vogt will not install the hitch, since they don't sell it. I would like to find someone to pay to install the hitch for me. I live near McKinney, TX.

I am not sure if it will be safe for me to tow it with the standard hitch to a secondary location for installation, or if I need to pay the dealer or someone to move it for me.

Anyone in the area have a recommendation for a shop near Ft. Worth that they would recommend? Any forum members want to take on the job themselves?

I am not completely new to camping as I had owned a 5th wheel for about a year (2 years ago). This is my first travel trailer.

Also, I can't work on the hitch at my residence as there isn't really a place here to do so. Will be renting a storage lot for when it is not in use.

Joe
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Old 12-19-2013, 10:13 AM   #2
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That hitch is the best thing you will ever do for the comfort and safety of towing your Airstream. It is a disservice for an Airstream dealer to refuse installing it because they don't sell it. ProPride is able to sell these at at a good price because they don't offer dealer discounts but sell direct to the customer.

I asked for one at my dealer and they talked us out of it when I bought my first Airstream, so they installed their own product. Ended up with a ProPride anyway but it cost us a lot more.

It is an easy bolt-on installation, heavy but easy. A floor jack may be needed to lift and hold it in place while bolting on. You shouldn't have to beg the dealer to let you or another install this hitch. Be sure to tell your dealer there are a lot of Airstreamers and potential Airstreamers watching and curious how this works out.

This is a good community of Airstreamers; I've got a feeling someone in the area will give you a hand.
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Old 12-19-2013, 10:29 AM   #3
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I have the first generation Jim Hensley designed hitch from the company of that name and it required drilling and tapping four holes into the frame for the shear bolts. I have read the ProPride (later generation Jim Hensley designed hitch) installation manual and no holes are drilled.

So, no drill or tap is required, but a $80 Harbor Freight ¾" drive 300 pound capacity torque wrench (part number 808) with a ¾" socket (in socket set 69509 or individually at Sears) or equivalent is required and will be used in the future to check torques over time.

I have been told one person can install this in about three hours, and less time if a helper is available.

I find it strange for a dealership to pass on the opportunity for some labor charge income to install a hitch on a $80,000+ trailer they just sold you. That is really a bad business practice.
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Old 12-19-2013, 10:34 AM   #4
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"I find it strange for a dealership to pass on some labor charges to install a hitch on a $80,000+ trailer they just sold you. That is really a bad business practice."

Me too, perhaps they are trying to strong-arm Sean at ProPride to give them something for selling them, or some kind of childish payback for Sean not giving them something.
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Old 12-19-2013, 11:13 AM   #5
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Give Paul E. Mayeux, Jr. a call (817) 919-3651...tell them I referred you...
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Old 12-19-2013, 11:22 AM   #6
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Seems a bit poor that the dealer you bought the trailer from would not do this for you even though they do not sell the hitch - shame you had not known before hand, you could have made it part of the seal to buy the trailer!

Having said that, would they at least let you install it on their property? Might be worth asking.

Installing our Hensley was quite easy and the instructions that came with it were very clear - nothing much needed in the way of special tools.

From what I have read, the Pro Pride is even easier to install - no shear bolts to drill holes for and I would imagine it too comes with very good instructions.

Brian.
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Old 12-19-2013, 11:23 AM   #7
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Thumbs up Diy

IMHO.....the best thing you could do is to install it yourself.
From what I understand the directions are very comprehensive.
You will gain an invaluable understanding of how it works and the necessary maintenance procedures.

Installing our haha was the best thing I did to reduce the grade of the learning curve.

It still comes off every Winter for storage...

Bob
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Old 12-19-2013, 11:44 AM   #8
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On the one hand, I too, am a bit surprised that the dealer wouldn't install the hitch or at least refer you to someone who could install it. On the other hand, I didn't realize that that operation had added Airstreams to its line of products after Explore dropped Airstream all across Texas.
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Old 12-19-2013, 08:26 PM   #9
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Maybe Airstream might drop them for poor customer service. The Airstream is a premium product and one expects premium service, but not like down at the stable.
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Old 12-20-2013, 04:27 AM   #10
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Since the hitch is not an AS product and not endorsed by them, I do not see a problem. It is not unusual for rv, motorcycle and car dealers to not install what is not bought from them. Would you really want your hitch to be the first installed by someone who did not want to do it? Not me! Jim
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Old 12-20-2013, 04:56 AM   #11
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I recently installed my Pro Pride myself with the help of a friend. Total time 4.5 hours. The instructions are excellent and the support @ P P, if you need it, is a phone call away. I found that the most important part of the installation was paying strict attention to the measurements in the instructions. You can do it!

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Old 12-20-2013, 06:18 AM   #12
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My error, I just checked the Harbor Freight ¾" drive socket set 69509 and it does not have a ¾" socket. One can usually get an impact version at Sears in the Air Compressor area.
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Old 12-20-2013, 06:36 AM   #13
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It is wise to check torques. If you stop by a Freightliner/big truck dealer or service location they could check them for a fee..only thing that dirties your hands are the skid marks as the cash slides out of them.
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Old 12-21-2013, 08:12 AM   #14
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Snap-On part IM242A is a ¾" drive shallow impact socket, 6-point for a ¾" nut made in the USA. Like all their stuff, they are proud of the item to the tune of $24.85 that does include shipping plus sales tax.
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Old 12-21-2013, 08:14 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight View Post
Give Paul E. Mayeux, Jr. a call (817) 919-3651...tell them I referred you...
Your best bet. Call Paul.
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Old 12-21-2013, 08:27 AM   #16
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Who's Paul?
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Old 12-21-2013, 09:26 AM   #17
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Paul Mayeux. Vintage specialist, factory trained, factory authorized through Roger Williams CDJ in Weatherford, TX.
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Old 12-22-2013, 07:44 AM   #18
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He is also aa AM Solar system installer.....
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Old 12-22-2013, 11:03 AM   #19
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Paul and Ann are great folks...
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Old 12-22-2013, 07:53 PM   #20
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I appreciate the responses. I will plan on giving Paul a call soon. May even talk to him about solar panels while I am at it.


Do you think it will be safe enough to pull the trailer 40 miles to him, without a WD hitch? As stated, I have pulled a 5th wheel before. Just not a travel trailer.
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