Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-27-2010, 03:03 PM   #101
2 Rivet Member
 
TSchleff's Avatar
 
2005 30' Classic
Omaha , Nebraska
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 59
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?
TSchleff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2010, 06:36 PM   #102
Rivet Master
 
boondockdad's Avatar
 
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn , Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
Images: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by TSchleff View Post
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?
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
__________________
A family of eight, blogging all things camping from our Airstream
https://boondockdad.com/
boondockdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2010, 08:54 PM   #103
Rivet Master
 
ROBERTSUNRUS's Avatar

 
2005 25' Safari
Salem , Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
Images: 18
Blog Entries: 55
Quote:
Originally Posted by finalcutjoe View Post
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
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
ROBERTSUNRUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2010, 03:55 PM   #104
Rivet Master
 
boondockdad's Avatar
 
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn , Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
Images: 21
I agree. If it doesn't perform just like factory new, it's all getting replaced.
__________________
A family of eight, blogging all things camping from our Airstream
https://boondockdad.com/
boondockdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2011, 07:28 AM   #105
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
Images: 1
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
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2011, 07:26 AM   #106
Rivet Master
 
boondockdad's Avatar
 
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn , Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
Images: 21
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.
__________________
A family of eight, blogging all things camping from our Airstream
https://boondockdad.com/
boondockdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2011, 08:44 AM   #107
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
Images: 1
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
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2011, 10:19 AM   #108
Rivet Master
 
boondockdad's Avatar
 
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn , Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
Images: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
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
I must have moved/deleted the pix from my hosting site...
__________________
A family of eight, blogging all things camping from our Airstream
https://boondockdad.com/
boondockdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2011, 08:49 AM   #109
ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
 
Sean Woodruff's Avatar
 
Holly , MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
You would think that the intro of the PPP would have a more positive effect on' Hensleys' customer service, not so much eah.

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
Sean Woodruff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2011, 09:02 AM   #110
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
Images: 1
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
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2011, 10:29 AM   #111
2 Rivet Member
 
RossFam05BH's Avatar
 
2005 30' Safari
Pfafftown , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 88
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
RossFam05BH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2011, 05:41 PM   #112
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by finalcutjoe View Post
I must have moved/deleted the pix from my hosting site...
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.
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2011, 08:26 AM   #113
ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
 
Sean Woodruff's Avatar
 
Holly , MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by RossFam05BH View Post

keeping this customer happy,

Paul
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
Sean Woodruff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2011, 07:29 PM   #114
Rivet Master
 
boondockdad's Avatar
 
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn , Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
Images: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by REDNAX View Post
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.
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?
__________________
A family of eight, blogging all things camping from our Airstream
https://boondockdad.com/
boondockdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2011, 11:18 AM   #115
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
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.

.
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2013, 08:26 PM   #116
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
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.

.
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2014, 10:03 PM   #117
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
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
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
diesel performance norbert Tow Vehicles 15 01-04-2010 07:23 PM
Improving brakes performance femuse Brakes & Brake Controllers 27 12-07-2009 10:18 AM
Performance changes using the new diesel Stream 1529 Off Topic Forum 19 12-24-2006 03:35 PM
Power Available vs. A/C Performance JimGolden Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 11 07-13-2006 07:10 PM
performance exhaust systems wb13798 Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 6 07-07-2003 06:54 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.