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TIMETOGO · 11-23-2006, 08:16 PM

HI FOLKS-

I NEED SOME HELP LANDING THE PLANE. NEXT MONTH I PICK UP A 29FT EXCELLA AND A FORD E-350 PSD AS A TV. AND IT NEEDS A HITCH WITH SWAY BAR CONTROL. MY ? IS THE PRICE, I SEE THEM FROM $200 UP TO $2,999.
HOW CAN THIS BE. I KNOW "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR" BUT FOR ALL THAT $$$$ HOW GOOD CAN IT BE?. I WILL BE A FULLTIMER SO THIS THING NEEDS TO WORK FOR 25,000 MI. A YEAR. THANKS FOR THE HELP.

Mike Lewis · 11-23-2006, 08:24 PM

I just ordered a Hensley this past friday. At that time they had them on sale. They were marked down $300. to $2699 and free shipping . That's nearly $500 off the list and by purchasing it this way I saved the sales tax.
pieman

TIMETOGO · 11-23-2006, 08:31 PM

Thanks Mike

overlander63 · 11-23-2006, 08:34 PM

Hensley is the best, but if that figure puts you in sticker shock, you should take a look at the Reese Dual-cam setup. For your van you would need 500 pound WD bars, they may be difficult to come by.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 11-23-2006, 08:41 PM

Hi, How much money do you have or want to spend? On a hitch, that is. This is a never ending debate.

The elite will tell you to buy a Ha Ha. [Hensley Arrow] Spend the bucks, you can't go wrong.

The next group will tell you that the Equal-i-zer brand hitch works very well dispite the difference in cost. Although some suggest it works best for 25' or less trailer length.

And the last major group will tell you that a Reese Dual Cam hitch works just fine.

So as I said, sort-of, it's your money and your choice. Search Hitches, and you will find tons of information along with personal experiences and opinions. Lots of opinions.

I personally use one of these three, and I am very happy with it.

Bob

bill benton · 11-23-2006, 08:49 PM

I guess I would have to say the 200.00 Reese weight dist. with sway bar.I tow a 34 with a 250 diesel and have never had a problem with handling,wind, passing or being passed by big trucks, etc.

**moosetags** · 11-23-2006, 08:54 PM

I'm afaraid that I have to vote for the HAHA. It works; there is no sway, period. I don't care what it costs; it's THAT good. Many folks have gone to a HAHA from other brands. Nobody has ever gone from a HAHA to any other brand.

TIMETOGO · 11-23-2006, 09:01 PM

Thanks Guys- Holy Cash Batman!!!!

steelbird312 · 11-23-2006, 09:23 PM

I have real close to your exact setup. I have a 2500 Duramax that I use to pull a 1989 29' Excella. First things first. Your TV IS TOO HEAVILY SPRUNG FOR A COMFORTABLE RIDE!!!!!!!!!
Now that I have your attention. Your hitch weight will be in the area of 800 to 1200 pounds. This is not enough to even phase a 350 Ford suspension. Since this is true, it will be very difficult to transfer much of that tongue weight to the front suspension, which is the goal of the weight distributing hitch. I have, on my unit, removed the overload springs, installed a full compliment of Bilstein shocks and then I installed a hitch with an airbag in it to give the front of my trailer a softer ride! Yes, that's right, to give the trailer a softer ride, and not stress the cabinetry, bracing, etc. I also carry a 1000 pound Goldwing in the truck bed a great deal of the time.
I use a dual cam Reese hitch, with a friction style anti-sway bar as well. This gives me two forms of sway control, as well as a time-tested hitch. It works well FOR ME.....and I'm the one that matters!
http://www.airridehitch.com/Class-5-Bullet.jpg

TIMETOGO · 11-23-2006, 09:34 PM

I Would Of Loved To Get A Not So Costly Truck, But To Get The Psd In A Van I Must Go To The 350

3Ms75Argosy · 11-23-2006, 09:53 PM

allthough a bit apple to oranges, or Dodge to Ford, I have the 1 ton Dodge B350 van. I do think the vans run a bit softer on the rear springs than the trucks. I use the 750 wt bars, and the van runs nice and smooth. I wish I had a diesel in my van... wish Dodge made this model too.

Does your van have the extended length body (the one with a LOT of rear overhang)? My Dodge does not (it's the "normal" length), and I get by with a EZ lift system.... I think I'd like to upgrade to an Equalizer or Reese, but really, it works just fine.

That said, if you have the exteneded length van, than I think the Reese might be the set up for you or Equalizer may be the setup for you. If you have the bucks, the HA HA would give ultimate piece of mind.
Welcome aboard!
Marc

PizzaChop · 11-23-2006, 09:55 PM

I have a 2001 E-350 PSD (15 pax) and have the Reese dual cam (orig equip I'm sure).

I've never had a problem with sway in over 5000 miles and it seems to tow very well. With a full sized family, we didn't really have a choice either.

TIMETOGO · 11-23-2006, 10:07 PM

3ms75argosy-

Ford Wanted $1000. More For The Extended Van (only 18" More)and I Dont Need That Kind Of Space.

2airishuman · 11-23-2006, 10:15 PM

hello timetogo and welcome to airstreamn' and the forums....

search the towing and hitch sub forum, lots of threads on hitches..

with folks loyal to many brands...

what is used, wanted, optimal or necessary vary by user and rig combo...

however i stopped wondering about any other option after using a hensley...

we've started a thread on this hitch so folks using or considering it can explore..

http://www.airforums.com/forum...de-26279.html?

the ultimate haha users guide...

feel free to ask any question regarding the haha...
one or more of the users will reply...

many hitch threads here are great. until some folks start the testimonials...

but we just can't help it... the haha is that good.

31,000 miles in 18 months for me... i long ago forgot how much it cost....

as porky pig says "i'm worth every penny"

it's too bad we can test drive hitches, but honestly i can't imagine a better ride...

cheers
2air'

doorgunner · 11-23-2006, 10:36 PM

I'm interested to hear from folks WHO HAVE USED a Pulrite, Any one out there? good or bad reports welcome, Thanks in advance Tim

TIMETOGO · 11-23-2006, 10:55 PM

2airishuman
thats a lot of stuff to take in, i need a day or two to take this in. thanks.

2airishuman · 11-23-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIMETOGO

thats a lot of stuff to take in, i need a day or two to take this in. thanks.

hi timetogo...

sure it is, and take your time. it is an important issue.

when a question arrises, we'll be here...

2air'

steelbird312 · 11-24-2006, 05:56 AM

tIMETOGO,
Maybe when you get on the haha forum, when one of the haha owners/users responds to your post, they will offr you the chance to come over and test drive one!!!!!!?

On second thought,......nah, probly not!

just a thought

Mike Lewis · 11-24-2006, 08:51 AM

Robertsunrus says Quote::

The elite will tell you to buy a Ha Ha. [Hensley Arrow] Spend the bucks, you can't go wrong.

Bob ; I fail to understand why understand why those of us who purchased a haha are called "elite". We each buy what we feel is the best for our needs. The purchase of this hitch will require me to do without some things for the next few months, thus I hardly think I fall into the elite catagory. While the hitch may be concidered elite by some, not every purchaser is.
pieman

Chuck · 11-24-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Bob ; I fail to understand why understand why those of us who purchased a haha are called "elite".

let me see if I can explain it:

IT COSTS THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!

If a $3k price tag doesn't make you go

...then you're "elite".

doesn't make you a bad person, though!

same thing can be said for "airstreamers" in general. they're expensive trailers. good, but expensive.
So good, in fact, that there are so many of them around for such a long time, there are many perfectly good one's on the market for the price that some might pay for a hitch.