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Old 11-18-2014, 01:33 PM   #1
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Blue Ox or Propride

I recently ask the following question as a private message but I thought I would get some more opinions.

I will be taking delivery of a 2015 27FB Serenity next month to replace my 27FB Signature that was totaled in an accident in August. I had been using a Blue Ox at the time. Although, the accident wasn't a result of a sway issue, the decision to purchase another AS was very difficult based on the seriousness of our accident. I have been going back and forth as to whether to go with another Blue Ox or change to Propride. I would appreciate your thoughts and what differences you have experienced with the ProPride. I have also heard that the ProPride (and Hemsley for that matter) aren't quite as good in regards to weight distribution. Your thoughts?

Thanks!


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Old 11-18-2014, 02:19 PM   #2
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We have had Equal-I-Zer and ProPride.

The ProPride has no weight distribution problems, however because the hitch is longer you may need a size larger spring bar to distribute the same amount of weight as a conventional w.d. hitch. Call ProPride and you will most likely talk to the owner Sean who will recommend the right size for your combination, as well as provide excellent customer service. A side note, the longer hitch will allow you to drop the tailgate of your pickup when hooked up.

The Hensley/ProPride design is completely different in function from all the others, which control side forces on the trailer by resisting side movement with friction or other means. But the trailer can still be moved out of alignment with the truck, and in heavy side winds may follow the truck slightly out of alignment with the truck. And any side forces felt at the hitch are leveraged to the truck's steering axle. Sometimes called the tail wagging the dog.

The Hensley/ProPride linkage projects all side forces beyond the hitch to a point at or near the truck's rear axle, where they are stopped. The tail cannot wag the dog, there is no trailer sway or push out of alignment possible.

The difference is remarkable in driving comfort no matter the traffic, wind or weather conditions. Semis can blow by in heavy side winds and all stays in alignment and comfortable. Gusting side winds do not push things around. It is comfortable to drive with two fingers on the steering wheel, however this should never be done, just that it is that easy to drive. At the end of the day you will not feel tired from trucks and side winds.

I know heavy duty, long wheelbase, stiff suspended trucks with rigid tires claim a similar experience. May be, could be, doesn't matter to us with our very pleasant and inexpensive half-ton.
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Old 11-18-2014, 02:23 PM   #3
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Pat I've never heard that the PP/Hensley are 'not quite as good' as any other type of WD setups as load distribution. My PP certainly worked fine on shifting weight as needed. Usually the comments on comparisons are about controlling sway. If you were happy with the past setup and you are doing a similar TV this time you would likely be happy with the BlueOx. If you didn't like the way it controlled sway then worth looking at the PP/Hensley.
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Old 11-18-2014, 03:06 PM   #4
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I got a Blue Ox with my first Airstream which was a 27 ft Classic and now use it on a 30 ft Classic. I have not owned any other brand of hitch but really don't see how they could be any better than the Blue Ox has been. So far I have absolutely no complaints with it.

I'm sure they all make good hitches but I am very happy with what I have.

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Old 11-18-2014, 03:25 PM   #5
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Former Anderson WD user when I had the Bambi II. Currently sporting a BlueOx SwayPro for the newer Safari 23. So far after a couple of thousand miles very happy with the performance of the BlueOx SwayPro Extremely easy to set up, clean and much lighter in weight than the other brand being discussed here.
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Old 11-18-2014, 03:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat Cassity View Post
---I have also heard that the ProPride (and Hemsley for that matter) aren't quite as good in regards to weight distribution. Your thoughts?
Depending on TV/TT dimensions -- for a given TV tongue weight, the added length of the PP (assumed to be 12") might cause the load removed from the TV's front axle to be about 20% greater than with a conventional hitch.

The added hitch load due to the extra weight of the PP (assumed to be 120#) might cause an additional TV front axle load decrease of about 10%.

The combined effect of added PP length and PP added weight might be to increase the amount of load removed from the TV's front axle by about 32% (for a given TT tongue weight, and depending on TV/TT dimensions).

On the plus side -- the PP's added length might make your TV/TT about 4% more "efficient" at restoring load to the front axle.

Therefore, depending on TV/TT dimensions, to achieve 100% front axle load restoration when using the PP might require a WD bar load increase of approximately 28% relative to using a hitch without the assumed added length of 12".

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Old 11-18-2014, 03:38 PM   #7
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I flat will not tow a trailer any size without a ProPride or Hensley type hitch. It's flat-out so much better than anything else for stability and driving comfort.

I have a ProPride as my preference, but IMHO any mechanical sway prevention through the Hensley type designs is the way to go.




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Old 11-18-2014, 03:46 PM   #8
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I think the most important thing is not necessarily the brand but proper set up. I have a feeling that most of the travel trailers on the road that are using WD systems are not set up properly. There are hundreds of threads and thousands of post here debating the merits of one hitch over another. Pretty sure that this thread will become another one with the same people promoting for what ever reason their brand of choice.
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Old 11-18-2014, 03:46 PM   #9
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I use the Blue OX and like it just fine. I've been passed by trucks in both directions and have pulled in moderate winds. I have experienced no issues at all with sway control. The WD is fine as well. My 25' pulls behind the Suburban and the Ram 1500 with no issues. I won't say my hitch is better than everything else because I have not tried everything else.
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Old 11-18-2014, 04:10 PM   #10
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I've used both conventional WD hitches (Husky) and ProPride with exact same trailer and TV over the same route in both directions up and down the Cajon pass on highway 15.

Hensley design beats conventional hands down...


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Old 11-18-2014, 04:29 PM   #11
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I don't think you can make a wrong decision here. I tow my '90 25' Excella with a ML500 and a Blue Ox Pro and things feel solid now that I have found the right setup: height, correct links, etc. I don't have anywhere near as much experience as many others here having towed about 6,000 miles in the West. But I have towed in just about every imaginable situation and no drama so far.

And I'm convinced from reading posts here from experienced and skilled owners that the PP technology is rock solid. It does appear that the Blue Ox is more convenient to use for many users. Does the PP offer a margin of safety that offsets the purported inconvenience? Or is the Blue Ox adequate? My answer to that is only opinion as I haven't seen any comparative data.

And since I stay with the Blue Ox I guess that expresses my opinion.

In your case, following an accident, I would think anything that gives you greater comfort and peace of mind would be the way to go. Way to get back in the saddle!

Cheers,
John
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Old 11-18-2014, 04:35 PM   #12
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The Blue Ox is not a "conventional" hitch. It does use friction to control sway nor does it start combatting sway when it starts. It does not allow sway to start.
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Old 11-18-2014, 05:31 PM   #13
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We have a 2010 Yukon Denali (short wheelbase version) and a 2013 25FB Flying Cloud. After much internet research, we got a Blue Ox Sway Pro when we bought the trailer.

Most people with the Sway Pro like them, but we were less than satisfied with the Sway Pro. We were well set up--trailer level, front axle weight restored to the unhitched value, as shown by multiple CAT scale weighings. But the rig felt a bit unstable at highway speeds. We replaced the Sway Pro with an EAZ Lift Elite round bar hitch with two friction sway control bars. The rig drives better with this set-up, though there is still room for improvement. For various reasons, we are considering switching to a 3/4 ton truck and will consider a ProPride to go with it.

We are at the factory tongue weight limit on our Yukon, so adding a ProPride would put us over. Our receiver has been strengthen by Can-Am so we could install a ProPride or Hensley, but with a stock 2010 either of those hitches could be a problem. I don't know if the 2015 Yukon receiver is better.

FWIW, I think we are "pickier" than most about how our rig drives.

Good luck with your decision. And enjoy the new trailer!
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Old 11-18-2014, 06:36 PM   #14
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Pat - so sorry about the accident and so glad you're getting back on the road.

What tow vehicle will you be using?

This is an old but good primer on hitch types. It old enough that it doesn't cover the ProPride which is an updated version of the Hensley (designed by Hensley but manufactured by a offering company, ProPride).

The basic point is that there are different types of hitches and the Hensley/ProPride are designed to do something different than others.

http://www.timberman.com/rig/trailer...omparisons.htm

Here's another that includes ProPride:

http://www.serenitysys.com/rv/techni...omparison.html

This one from etrailer doesn't include the Hensleys but does discuss the BlueOx active sway control approach:

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

My only experience is with the ProPride. I think HowieE is probably right in that any of the major brands SET UP/DIALED IN PROPERLY will do a good job. These links prided above are meant to demonstrate HOW they go about doing that job in very different ways.

I really wanted the PullRite because the pivot point is physically at the rear axle (like an upside down 5th wheel) but unfortunately they don't make them for modern tow vehicles.

Because of the advantage of the forward pivot point, for me, the only choice was either Hensley Arrow or ProPride and because ProPride is more recently designed I went in that direction. Every decision has trade offs - in my view, the price and weight are significant considerations as is the point Ron raised about pulling more weight off the front axle. I also screwed up by getting the 1000# bars (my bad - Sean recommended the 1400s). But with the help of many folks here (Ron in particular) I've got it dialed in and love it.

Hope those links are of some help. Good luck an happy camping!!
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Old 11-18-2014, 06:45 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrprez View Post
The Blue Ox is not a "conventional" hitch. It does use friction to control sway nor does it start combatting sway when it starts. It does not allow sway to start.
That should read "does not use friction"....
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Old 11-19-2014, 10:46 AM   #16
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Go with ProPride or Hensley is my advice

My wife and I are returning to RVing after a 2 year break. We last travelled in a Diesel Motorhome, a gas Motorhome and previous to that we travelled with a Ford Diesel Excursion, first with a 28ft Sunline trailer and then a 35ft Mountaineer. Long trips and Interstates were/are common for us.

My first hitch was a Reese Dual Cam which I thought was good. Some sway but correctable with not too much thought. On the Mountaineer, the Reese was white knuckle in wind and passing semi trucks. The Hensley cured all of that and I realized just how bad comparitivly the Reese was on what I thought was a great setup with my smaller trailer.

Fast forward to today. We now have returned to our trailing days with a recently bought 1Ton GMC Sierra Diesel and a Airstream Flying Cloud FB27.

I've been reading up again on all the threads about hitches and was seduced by the Equalizer and went as far as to order it. Next day I cancelled the order because essentially the hitch is a clever weight distribution/friction control device as are most of the others of that type.

The ProPride/Hensley are much different in the way they operate. Essentially the TV can turn the trailer but the trailer cannot turn the TV.
I also remembered the solid performance over many thousand miles from my earlier Hensley experience. That plus the fact we have recently spent many thousands getting back on the road and an additional once off insurance of $2.5k pales into insignificance. If we were only taking local trips then I might have been tempted to stay with the Equalizer or some such.

I ordered the ProPride because it is an updated design from the pen of Mr Hensley and in some ways is easier to hitch up. (so I've heard).

Other people will have different stories but this is my truth.

Whatever you decide, travel safe and happy.
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Old 11-19-2014, 11:14 AM   #17
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Check into Hensley too

We've used the Hensley Cub (small version of their Arrow for smaller/lighter trailers) on a range of rented TVs - Nissan Pathfinder (2013 truck type), Dodge 2500 & now a Ford F250 this weekend for a handful of vintage trailer rallies & camp-outs we go to a year with our 1960 Avion T20. And it was a huge improvement over a F150 with its built-in anti-sway & the Pathfinder "bare on ball" was a nightmare!

I looked at both Hensley & the ProPride, but the attachment set-up for the PP was problematic on our short 30" A-frame & I was concerned about failure of their adjustable tow bar/stinger - even though that would've been the perfect deal for varying rental TVs!

Ask Terry at Hensley to show you their tests of the adjustible towbars before you decide.

The above & the fact that the Cub was adequate for our relatively light (+/- 3-3500# as currently setup & loaded) TT plus about $500 less than the PP even with an extra stinger towbar made my decision.

IMHO there really isn't a lot to the "updated" aspect of the PP other than changes in attachment etc. in actual practice - which I'm sure will get howls from Sean & all the PP-philes.

The truth is when Hensley/PP work on the TV-TT combo it's about the same functionally, but loads better than the other friction/cam/damper types of WD/AS hitches! ...at a higher price too, but cheap compared to repairing damage!

Another advantage with Hensely/PP types is that you leave everything on the TT when unhitched & still have to stow a towbar, plus I felt the Hensley wind-up/down jacks for the torsion bars would be easier long term as I age.

Good Luck!
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Old 11-19-2014, 11:49 AM   #18
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ProPride also has nice wind-up jacks for the tension bars. I prefer them because it's easy to adjust tension in fine increments. The old hitch I had was a arm breaker with the chains and lever pipe to latch them.


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Old 11-19-2014, 02:37 PM   #19
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Tom what failures with the ProPride stingers would there be from being adjustable?
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Old 11-19-2014, 03:02 PM   #20
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It's know that there was exactly ONE adjustable stinger failure due to a bad weld. Since there are thousands of them out there, I feel safe with mine. Hensley will make a big deal of it, but in my considered opinion, that smacks of gonzo marketing tactics.

I have and implicitly trust my ProPride system, and that's my bottom line. I have beat and bounced my AS and TV over some really bad roads without any issues. Keep in mind all this is mechanical, it has to be maintained, properly torqued, and lubricated. Take care of ANY hitch, or suffer the consequences...


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