Backing with a Hensley

Steve Heywood · 05-30-2005, 08:29 PM

I'm still on the fence as whether to buy a Hensley for my rig or not.

I read somewhere that it is more difficult to back your trailer if you have a Hensley.

Any truth to this?

Thanks,

johnbaker · 05-30-2005, 09:10 PM

Steve,

I have had my Hensley for 4 years. Backing is a little different due to the articulating action of this system but you quickly adapt to manuevering in reverse. Backing is not a problem for me, in my opinion, the control I get from the Hensley at Highway speeds, rough roads or poor road conditions is worth it!

Claybuster · 05-31-2005, 12:16 AM

Frankly, I don't notice much of a difference. Either with the Hensley or without, I just take it slow and everything's fine.

Porky Pig · 05-31-2005, 02:28 AM

I have never towed with anything but a Hensley ... so I have nothing to compare it to.

Backing up my 34 is a breeze ... I don't know if the Hensley has anything to do with that or not.

Also, I thought I read that backing up was easier with the Hensley.

James Schmidt · 05-31-2005, 05:00 AM

I have owned my Hensley for about 4 years and have not had problems with backing. I can't really tell any difference between it and the Reese or Easy Lifts that I've used when backing. The towing and hitching is quite different though.

myboyburt · 05-31-2005, 07:30 AM

No issues at all backing up our 25' Excella with the Hensley (which we LOVE, no more sway when being passed by 18 wheelers).

TheLuvShack · 05-31-2005, 09:42 AM

I just started towing with an Hensley and I think it's easier to back with it because you can make a much sharper turn without jack-knifeing because the hitch ball is farther back. Slower is better when backing up. When backing the TT, I always remember the advice from an "old salt" that taught me how to dock a boat. Always approach the dock at the speed that you would want to hit it.

markjoandall · 05-31-2005, 10:40 AM

In all situations except backing into a very tight space the hensley is no different than a regular hitch.

My definition of very tight is 1 1\2 inches of clearance on either side of the trailer. It is painfully slow and difficult to back my trailer (wide body) through the door clearance of my barn. In this type of a situation, the hitch will throw to one side or the other and move the front and back of the trailer substantially and therefore change the direction of the trailer.

But you know, I think it would be very difficult in any situation to back a trailer with only 1 1/2 inches of clearance.

Another Happy Hensley User

Mark

2airishuman · 06-01-2005, 01:33 AM

i've only been using the henlsey for a month but it seems easier to back up with it because you can get up to 82 degrees angled, when 45-55 is the max for other hitches. so there is very little risk of touching the trailer with the t.v.

absolutely no reaction to semis or big midwestern winds from the 34 so i'm happy i opted for hensley.

their customer service wasn't very good for me and they sent me 3 bars before sending the correct one....that's right 3.

after the first one was 'wrong' i spoke with the vp who said they had NEVER made a mistake producing a bar......yea right.

still i do like the hitch.

cheers
2air'

zoom240 · 06-01-2005, 04:54 AM

Steve,

I bought my 28' Classic with a Hensley on it already. Not much towing/backing up experience before, so can't compare. I'm not having any trouble that seems to be related to the hitch.

Most of my trouble is the operator. Seriously, I haven't seen any problems and it does help. I'm towing with a 1/2 ton pickup Z71 and its maxed out with the Hensley + people and gear.

Dave

M&M CAPECOD · 06-01-2005, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom240

I bought my 28' Classic with a Hensley on it already. Not much towing/backing up experience before, so can't compare. I'm towing with a 1/2 ton pickup ......

Dave,
That's our story also, we bought our 28' Classic last September and tow it with a 1/2 ton Titan. We are just now starting to fill it with all of the essentials (can't live without items from home).

We've had no problem with towing and don't feel the trucks go by. We've worked out the hitching and have a good routine down now. The hitch helper (sits under the front jack and allows you to move it a few inches to either side) really helps with final alignment. We still have to fine tune our backup procedure. It doesn't feel natural/automatic yet, we still have to think too much about what we're doing. I don't think this is uncommon, I think it would be the same way with the other types of hitches. In case it's not, I'll continue to look for any tips other Hensley owners out there have for EASY BACKUP WITH A HENSLEY please send all tips.

Sonia · 06-01-2005, 09:04 AM

We had a Reese with sway controls that did OK for the Bambi. Since upgrading to the 2005 30 Classic, we have the Hensley. We love it and so do the people we meet at campgrounds, they all want to know wbout it and how it works. We zoom on the highways at 70-80MPH, passing trucks and not feel a thing. Backing into out driveway last night, after a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, my husband was able to get the trailer to "its" spot in one try. Either he is getting better at backing in or our communications skills are improving

.

We had a problem in April on our way down to Florida and needed new sway bars. Hensley shipped them to us at Ft. Wilderness. They have good customer service and got the part right, as our dealer had sent in the registration forms when we bought the trailer.

We would not go back to anything else but a Hensley.

Sonia

Mike Lewis · 06-01-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&M CAPECOD

Dave,
That's our story also, we bought our 28' Classic last September and tow it with a 1/2 ton Titan. We are just now starting to fill it with all of the essentials (can't live without items from home).

We've had no problem with towing and don't feel the trucks go by. We've worked out the hitching and have a good routine down now. The hitch helper (sits under the front jack and allows you to move it a few inches to either side) really helps with final alignment. We still have to fine tune our backup procedure. It doesn't feel natural/automatic yet, we still have to think too much about what we're doing. I don't think this is uncommon, I think it would be the same way with the other types of hitches. In case it's not, I'll continue to look for any tips other Hensley owners out there have for EASY BACKUP WITH A HENSLEY please send all tips.

M&M--I know the subject of this thread is Hensley but I happen to notice you're pulling with a Titan. We too have a Titan and 05/ 25' classic. It tows so well I wish we had stepped up to a 28' as once you're that close a 28 isn't that much more $$$$. Was wondering how the Titan handles the extra weight of the 28'. With the 25' loaded I was getting closer to the gross combine weight limit than I would like but since the Titan handled it so well I wish now I would have got another 3 feet.----Pieman

dbaverb · 06-01-2005, 10:02 AM

Geez....looks like you have sufficient information to make a decision....good luck.