Hensley and Rock Tamer

davidz71 · 03-24-2005, 10:12 PM

I found a post on www.sunnybrooktalk.com by dmaxfox where he modified the Enkay Rock Tamer center hub to fit the Hensley. All he had done was to mill out a 1/4" wide X 1/4" deep area of the center hub to clear the Hensley drawbar.

vajeep · 03-25-2005, 01:54 PM

Craig,
I was wondering about this set up for my Suburban. I had heard that the Hensley made this type of rock protection impossible in the past. I just had the Hensley delivered last week and hope to install it in early April. Any information would be great!!
Thanks,
Abe

davidz71 · 03-25-2005, 07:29 PM

Try this link
http://community.webshots.com/user/dmaxfox

davidz71 · 03-25-2005, 07:30 PM

It looks like all you have to do is relieve a small amount on the bottom end of the hub rather than go up as high as he had done.

vajeep · 03-28-2005, 04:08 PM

Thanks Craig,
After you posts, the photos really helped, I see just what was taken off to make the hitch work. I agree you should not have to file as much away.

I really like the Elkay flaps. After I get the Hensley installed next week I may go ahead and order the flaps.

I will post photos after the fact!

Abe

Silvertwinkie · 03-28-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidz71

I found a post on www.sunnybrooktalk.com by dmaxfox where he modified the Enkay Rock Tamer center hub to fit the Hensley. All he had done was to mill out a 1/4" wide X 1/4" deep area of the center hub to clear the Hensley drawbar.

HA! How funny, I just bought one of those this past Friday night. Should hopefully be here this week!

John HD made one of these himself and I loved it, but didn't have the tools or time to fabricate one, so I spend the $$ to buy one. They look like they will stop any tire projectiles from hitting the front of the coach. The rock guards do a nice job, but I was seeing a few strays hit above the rock guards.

But I don't have a Hensley though....

wrepete · 03-28-2005, 07:50 PM

I bought the Enkay flaps six years ago, and they mounted perfectly with the Reese setup. Then, three years ago I went for the Hensley hitch, only to discover that the Enkay mounting was too thick to mount properly, so I milled out a recess just like the one pictured and the result is a perfect fit. Both are well-designed products. I really like the results and trust you will too!

davidz71 · 03-29-2005, 10:51 PM

Great Bud! The Rock Tamer has been extremely effective with my present '77 Excella and I wanted to keep it with the '86 Sovereign & Hensley combination. I pick up the '86 this weekend so do not have the time to mill out the center hub. Hope I don't pick up any rocks on the way back from Atlanta.

vajeep · 03-30-2005, 11:29 AM

I milled out a recess just like the one pictured and the result is a perfect fit. Both are well-designed products. I really like the results and trust you will too![/quote]

Bud,
Thanks for your post. What did you use to mill out that recess? I have a couple of ideas, but you are the first forum member that has done this.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Abe

wrepete · 03-30-2005, 02:27 PM

Abe, I have a vertical milling machine in my shop, so I didn't have to go far to solve the problem. There may be other solutions, but the mill is precise so the results are exactly what you expect. If you do a search in your area, you may be able to find a machine shop that will do the work for you without too much expense. Too bad you aren't my neighbor!

Depending on the amount of recess you need, you can also modify that portion of the drawbar it touches a modest amount without creating any problems.

I also modified the length of the flaps so they did not touch the road surface after I switched over to the Hensley. If they drag at all, every piece of anything on the road will be kicked right up onto the front of the Airstream and make a real mess!

Good luck!

davidz71 · 03-30-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrepete

I also modified the length of the flaps so they did not touch the road surface after I switched over to the Hensley. If they drag at all, every piece of anything on the road will be kicked right up onto the front of the Airstream and make a real mess!

Good luck!

Bud,
Curious, what kind of wt. distribution equipment did you use before you bought the Hensley and how much lower did the Hensley drop the rear end or flaps down from the previous position? My flaps are about 4" from the ground now with a Reese unit.

wrepete · 03-31-2005, 10:34 AM

Craig,
I had the Reese dual-cam with the two torsion bars, and now remember that there was no real issue when I added the Enkays with the 2000 Suburban 2500 that I had as my tow vehicle at that time.

When I purchased the '04 Avalanche 2500 I had to switch towbars with Hensley [costing me shipping only] to level the Airstream for towing, and the new setup lowered my flaps enough that they almost touched the ground when I was parked on the level. That seemed fine until I hit a five mile section of newly sealed and graveled piece of highway heading west into Cody, WY last summer.

When we stopped for the night I had a real mess on the front of the AS with gravel and tar sticking and piled everywhere. . . . I trimmed a couple of inches off the flaps [at the top] and remounted them that evening. Experience can be such a wonderful teacher!

With the new truck I also switched to a BrakeSmart controller [which taps into the master cylinder with a hydraulic/ electronic sensor], and that means the brakes on the trailer are activated simultaneously with the tow vehicle, making the whole combination work without any grabbing, lagging, bumping, shuddering, or whatever past things I have experienced in Airstream towing since 1967 [I hate to admit owning SOB for a two year period in the early 90's] with other setups. Totally easy!

davidz71 · 03-31-2005, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the reply Bud. I'll be off to the local machine shop tomorrow (they have done numerous jobs for me) for a rush job since I leave for Atlanta Sat. morning at 7:30 a.m.