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10-27-2010, 03:03 PM
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#101
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2 Rivet Member
2005 30' Classic
Omaha
, Nebraska
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 59
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FinalcutJoe ...
Just wanted to touch base with you get the latest development on the Hensley hitch and what you have decided to do.
My wife and I went on a 7,000 mile trip this spring and I tow a 30' Airstream with a Hensley and I have to admit I was very, very pleased with its performance. It worked as advertised.
But I'm concerned if after just a few more trips it doesn't hold up.
What is happening?
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10-27-2010, 06:36 PM
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#102
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Rivet Master
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TSchleff
FinalcutJoe ...
Just wanted to touch base with you get the latest development on the Hensley hitch and what you have decided to do.
My wife and I went on a 7,000 mile trip this spring and I tow a 30' Airstream with a Hensley and I have to admit I was very, very pleased with its performance. It worked as advertised.
But I'm concerned if after just a few more trips it doesn't hold up.
What is happening?
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Hi TS,
It appears a lot of stuff was bent on the Arrow... because I'm using every bit of its 1400lb tongue, and most of its 14000lb trailer rating- I don't know. But I can say, it's properly maintained, and it's not like I baja with the rig.
...seems odd that it was an immediate, not gradual, loss in performance.
After inspecting it, Dennis, at Hensley (handles warranty work), was very certain the broken sleeves, and bent strut bars were the culprit of my sway-wiggle-push. Everything was replaced under warranty, except the shank, main hitch assembly, torsion bars, and spring stacks/mounting brackets. The only item that wasn't addressed to my satisfaction was the receiver box sleeve holes- where the pair of sleeves fit into (part of the main hitch assembly); they had actually elongated along one axis, roughly 2-3mm. Dennis assured me that was not an issue, now that the sleeves themselves were replaced.
We'll see, (I took it to Romeo disassembled) I probably won't be pulling it out until our annual New Years camping trip. I'll update then.
See you down the road!
-Joe
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10-27-2010, 08:54 PM
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#103
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finalcutjoe
Hi TS,
It appears a lot of stuff was bent on the Arrow... because I'm using every bit of its 1400lb tongue, and most of its 14000lb trailer rating- I don't know. But I can say, it's properly maintained, and it's not like I baja with the rig.
...seems odd that it was an immediate, not gradual, loss in performance.
After inspecting it, Dennis, at Hensley (handles warranty work), was very certain the broken sleeves, and bent strut bars were the culprit of my sway-wiggle-push. Everything was replaced under warranty, except the shank, main hitch assembly, torsion bars, and spring stacks/mounting brackets. The only item that wasn't addressed to my satisfaction was the receiver box sleeve holes- where the pair of sleeves fit into (part of the main hitch assembly); they had actually elongated along one axis, roughly 2-3mm. Dennis assured me that was not an issue, now that the sleeves themselves were replaced.
We'll see, (I took it to Romeo disassembled) I probably won't be pulling it out until our annual New Years camping trip. I'll update then.
See you down the road!
-Joe
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Hi, Joe. I don't know if I understand exactly what you said, but I think they should have warrantied everything pictured in post #98.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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10-28-2010, 03:55 PM
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#104
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Rivet Master
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
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I agree. If it doesn't perform just like factory new, it's all getting replaced.
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06-13-2011, 07:28 AM
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#105
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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BUMP
Joe,
Been lost outside the cyber-web worm hole for the last year.
Just spent an hour reading thru this thread.
'ya 'kinda left me hang'n here.
I know we both started out with the new burb, haha, and tow beast at about the same time. This will be our 5th season with all.
The TB had the sleeve welded in at purchase, the 06 Burb came with the LTX's, and I take the haha off for winter storage every season. The combo has worked without issues to this point.
At a loss as to what caused the ware problems with the haha!! I inspect thoroughly at Spring install, have none of the issues seen in your photo's.
Have you resolved everything to your satisfaction?
Happy Streams
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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09-25-2011, 07:26 AM
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#106
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Rivet Master
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
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Bob,
Sorry for the cliff hanger.
The 'diminished performance' was in fact caused by the bent strut bars.
Not sure how they came to be bent.
Hensley says, if it wasn't user error, then the "U" bolts anchoring the 'frame brackets' to the trailer A-frame are over-torqued, which in turn doesn't allow them to 'shift' in a 'bind', so to speak.
The problem I see with that is: even with proper torque, the surfaces are going to corrosion-weld over time.
My solution, is to carry an extra strut bar
After 3.5 years of use, I'm still completely satisfied with the performance.
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09-25-2011, 08:44 AM
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#107
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Joe,
Well glad your back to "normal", for what that's worth. Sounds like you went thru a lot to get there.
You would think that the intro of the PPP would have a more positive effect on' Hensleys' customer service, not so much eah.
I think my set-up during the first season was a little off also. I may have been overly concerned with getting the struts/head perfectly even and not paying enough attention to how much I was tightening them.(way over).
The good thing about Winter removal is you become very adept at re-install and set-up paying close attention to component condition. All the parts are labeled and get re-installed in the same position, only takes about 45min now, well worth it.
POI, in re-reading this thread I couldn't open some of your pic's, the ones of the strut bars are fine....is it me or are they missing?
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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09-25-2011, 10:19 AM
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#108
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Rivet Master
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
POI, in re-reading this thread I couldn't open some of your pic's, the ones of the strut bars are fine....is it me or are they missing?
Bob
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I must have moved/deleted the pix from my hosting site...
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09-26-2011, 08:49 AM
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#109
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ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
Holly
, MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
You would think that the intro of the PPP would have a more positive effect on' Hensleys' customer service, not so much eah.
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The intro of the ProPride 3P has had an effect... but I've been gone for over 4 years so I don't think anyone is going to figure out customer service anytime soon. All I know is on July 2, 2007 there was shift from outward customer focus to inward company focus. It makes a difference in how the day-to-day things run.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
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09-26-2011, 09:02 AM
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#110
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Dually noted Sean...haven't been in contact with them recently, so I can't speak first hand, but I guess some things have changed.
Keep up the good work!!
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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09-26-2011, 10:29 AM
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#111
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2 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Pfafftown
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 88
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Hey Sean
I must apologize for not having responded earlier, but thanks for all the help you gave me during our May 2011 trip to California to pick up a 1989 34 footer. The trailer did not have any sort of load-distributing hitch, so I decided to order a PPP to ship across the country and meet me there. Long story short, somewhere in a UPS shipping warehouse the truck side of the adjustable hitch got lost. I called Sean to explain my dilemma, and without hesitation Sean said he would overnight the missing piece from Michigan, and I received the part the next morning as promised. I'm sure this damaged Sean's profit margins, but he gained a customer for life with that type of customer service. On our other Airstream I have a 5 year old Hensley that I had to completely rebuild after 50,000 miles. The Hensley is now for sale if there are any takers!!
BTW, the PPP performed flawlessly when we encountered 30 MPH crosswinds from the south on I-80 in Nebraska. I kept the trailer moving at 65 MPH for 8 hours that day with nary a problem.
Thanks again Sean for keeping this customer happy,
Paul
__________________
2005 30' Bunkhouse "Nedapedalua"
2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L Diesel 2WD
2007 Interstate
WBCCI #5182
AIR # 6050
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09-26-2011, 05:41 PM
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#112
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finalcutjoe
I must have moved/deleted the pix from my hosting site...
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This is a great thread on this type of hitch, I bookmarked it the first day. If the pics can be found and linked, it would be a service. Thanks.
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09-27-2011, 08:26 AM
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#113
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ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
Holly
, MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RossFam05BH
keeping this customer happy,
Paul
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Thank you, Paul.
Steel, welds, powder coat, pins, struts, yokes, spring bars, jacks, hitch bars... and on and on and on... they all are just "things" that need to culminate in a happy customer.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
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09-28-2011, 07:29 PM
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#114
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Rivet Master
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REDNAX
This is a great thread on this type of hitch, I bookmarked it the first day. If the pics can be found and linked, it would be a service. Thanks.
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I've been searching the forum and web, trying to find a way to "relink" the photos, with no luck. Does anyone know how to do this?
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12-05-2011, 11:18 AM
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#115
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Am going through this thread again as I have to install my haha on another Silver Streak soon. Would have used an ordinary hitch head as it only needs to be dragged around town; TT won't be kept long, so an irritation to do a temp set-up. But may as well go through it all. Never know what tomorrow brings.
So, back to scratch with the giant 2Air thread, and then, this thread, one of the great ones about the haha.
As the early posts had to do with tire questions, thought I'd add a pair of links
Kal Tire: Interpreting Tire Wear
A tread depth gauge is recommended:
How to Use a Tread Depth Gauge
A JBarca picture worth a thousand words
Differential
Even
Thanks again to all contributors above.
.
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07-04-2013, 08:26 PM
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#116
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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A great thread for diagnosing handling dynamics. I've linked this to several folks since its inception and did so again tonight.
Get the CAT Scale data + pics, folks (and perfected tire pressure data), and hitch problems can be isolated or eliminated. A combined rig has a lot of relations to explore.
Bump for new and old readers.
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11-05-2014, 10:03 PM
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#117
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Still wish we could find the pics. Bumped as I need to go over mine again and wished to make comparisons.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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