Hensley

[kingfisher24]

lets see….

are there old hensley hitches…….10 years…15 years…

what can go wrong with them??

just curious

[dznf0g]

The serial number label was gone from mine when I got it, but as best Hensley can tell it is a pretty early one. I've replaced the seals, repacked the bearings, replaced the bushings and the grease fitting assemblies and repainted. No major wear (except in the consumables department) and no breakage.

[crispyboy]

I have an early HAHA that I bought used. Ditto's to what DZNF0G said about replacement parts.
One weak area I found is where the strut bars attach to the orange hitch head. The holes elongated and I had to weld some steel in the area for strength.

[dznf0g]

Most of the issues with the strut/head hole elongation I have seen is due to (IMO) imroper strut adjustment. One of two things causes it.

1) the owner mistakenly adjusts the struts to be in tension, rather than compression. The struts should be "pushing" the head forward, keeping the ball pushed to the front of the coupler. And there should be a reasonable amount of compression (tightness) on the strut.

2) Not keeping a substantial amount of compression on the struts will allow for rearward movement of the strut/head pin, relative to the coupler, to move around in the head holes, wollering them out.

I have virtually no wear on the forward head hole edges and none on the trailing edges.

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

1) the owner mistakenly adjusts the struts to be in tension, rather than compression. The struts should be "pushing" the head forward, keeping the ball pushed to the front of the coupler. And there should be a reasonable amount of compression (tightness) on the strut.

Not sure how you could ever have the strut bars in "tension". They can only be used one way and that is compression. The strut bar slides together so there can be no tension.

My guess is that the elongation of the holes on my particular hitch came from a time when my brake controller was not working properly and I was getting the Hensley bump at most any stop. Hensley seemed to drill the holes ever so close to the edge of the steel.

[dznf0g]

Yeah Crispyboy, you're right...my thought process didn't take that into account. It's got to be loose struts then. If they're tight enough, even a "bump" won't allow contact with the rear hole edges. They should be pretty tight. My paint is still on the rear hole edges after a repaint 2 years ago.

[RangerJay]

If you give Hensley a call you should be able to get information on purchasing a reconditioned unit - that is how we got ours in 2007 - still an expensive hitch but much reduced in price from new and carries the same 60 day trial period and lifetime warranty.


Jay

[crispyboy]

RangerJ,
You could also buy a reconditioned Pro-Pride which is where I would start if in the market.

[dznf0g]

One other thought on the struts. There is quite a bit of side play where they attach to the end pins. I installed nylon washers to reduce the clearance and thus reduce the slight lengthening and shortening of the effective length during turns or hard braking. I also installed these washers on either side of the upper jack mount.

[AIRTRVL]

My Hensley is 15 years old and on it's third trailer. The only thing that I've done to it is normal maintenance and I painted it to match my airstream. It will probably out last me. Great hitch.

[Ed Brownfield]

I am trying to decide between an Equal-i-ser hitch and the Hensley hitch can someone tell me the pros and cons of each? I have heard that the Hensley hitch is the best hitch but that it is difficult to hookup. Thanks

[m.hony]

Between those 2 I would choose the Hensley- and I own an Equal-i-zer, but if I could have any hitch I wanted I would get a ProPride- similar to a Hensley but "new and improved".


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[Silver Otter]

Ours is 15 years old. Only had one problem, a broken weld at the base of the ball. Found it while doing routine maint. one spring. Called Hensley. They replaced the whole Orange Head with a newly remanufactured one for the cost of the shipping. We're good to go for another 15 or more, I suspect.

[moosetags]

Our Hensley Arrow is ten years old. It is serial number 8332. It has been in use on two Airstreams and has towed about 130,000 miles. It still works as good as when it was new. I have never experienced the slightest trailer sway, ever.

Brian

[JimGolden]

Ed Brownfield,

I have the Equal-I-Zer and have towed my 34 footer thousands and thousands of miles with it. I just got back from a 2400 mile trip with it, in fact. It does very well. I have had just about zero problems with it. The link plates moved a little, and I developed a fix for it, way back in the beginning (there is a long and detailed thread on it on here). After that, I have had zero problems. Hitch up, and go.

That being said, by sheer physics, the projection style hitches are better by design. They work like the double wishbone suspension of a sports car, and "project" the turning point from 2' behind the bumper to somewhere up by the pumpkin (differential) so that the travel trailer acts like a 5th wheel. They tow better.

If you can get a Hensley Arrow or a Propride, do it.

Best of luck,

[m.hony]

I am very satisfied with my Equal-i-zer, but I still want a ProPride I think-
May be that "greener grass" syndrome.


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[SilverEagle6]

I recently had a very bad experience in purchasing a Hensley. There were significant quality issues and wrong parts were shipped. I returned the hitch. Need more specifics PM me.

[m.hony]

I'll either stick with my Equal-i-zer forever or get a ProPride- only 2 options. Option #1 I currently own. $2,300 stands between me and option #2, but we don 't know what the future holds.


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[J. Morgan]

I bought a used Hensley several days ago, in my couple of test drives since, what I can say is that I doubt that any hitch could be designed to tow better. It rocks!

Over a year ago I started reading about sway control and it didn't take me long to make up my mind that if I was going to use anything it would be a Hensley or a ProPride.

I have been looking for the right hitch for the right price ever since.

From what I gather either brand tows well, both are American made, and both are well built. What it came down to for me was price.

It seems as if the ProPride is easier to hitch up, and it also has an adjustable height receiver shank, both positives, but in this case it seems as if used saved me a thousand bucks over ProPride and even more v. Hensley.

If I was buying new, I would buy the cheaper unit of the two.

I have hitched mine up three times without issue, no problem, and I was fortunate that the drop on the receiver shank was just right.

Did I mention that my trailer tows like a dream now?

[cory_can]

^ any hint of the Hensley "bump" that some people describe?