My Used Hensley

[toddnich]

I bought a 4 year old Hensley hitch yesterday. At $1400, I think it was well worth the 400 mile round-trip drive. Now, here's the question....

As you can guess, the paint is flaked and the unit is rusting in a few areas. I understand that Hensley paint is cheap, and the previous owner, although meticulous with greasing and adjusting, didn't get the "2 coats of clearcoat" tip.

So, my question is, for you Hensley owners- do you recommend that I paint it before I install it? If so, what should I do to prep for painting?

Also, is there any good reason to pay for installation (other than laziness)? I believe that installing it myself will help me "become one" with the hitch, helping me to know more about what is keeping me safe back there.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

[overlander63]

If you want to do the install yourself (understandable), try to find somebody knowledgable in HaHa's to "sit in" with you. They can assist if you get stuck.

[nohillgrish]

I agree with your idea to install yourself. You will be way ahead when it comes to adjustments as needed and the "where's and what-for's" of routine maintence. I am not that mechanically minded, but decided to do myself for these very reasons. Really glad I did!! I assume you got a manual with the unit. If not, you can download one. Also lots of great info already on the forum regarding installation tips, etc. If you plan to paint it, I definitely would do so before you install. Gook luck. I have never regretted my purchase of the HaHa.

[2airishuman]

hi todd

here's a useful thread on this brand of gadget...

re-painting, installs, maintenance and so on, in text, prose, photos.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ide-26279.html

read it a bit, then add your questions, answers and user tricks to the collective.

cheers
2air'

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by toddnich

So, my question is, for you Hensley owners- do you recommend that I paint it before I install it? If so, what should I do to prep for painting?

I would definitely recommend you paint BEFORE the install.

Remove as much of the old paint as you can and sand the rust spots. Prime and paint.

[Minnie's Mate]

Rich Lhur had his repainted about a year ago. He had his painted to match the tongue of the trailer. You might touch base with him for his thoughts on paint types.

[craftsman]

Cheap paint is an understatement. My Henley is a year old and is rusting on every part. I took it apart today to sand and prepare it for new paint. Their corporate color is the Orange and it starts fading the day it's exposed to sun. Good hitch but one of the worse paint jobs that I've seen on something that's made to be exposed to weather. The company should be ashamed of themselves for such low quality work. You'll get a better job if you paint it before install.

[TinShack]

There are several people on the forums who have painted their Hensley...myself included. Check out the thread 2airishuman references above. I used the Airstream Automotive (Dupont Metallic Gray (#360151-01) spray paint on mine so it matches my AS A-frame (which is actually Pewter Gray). It has been holding up well and looks much better.

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by CA Streamer

There are several people on the forums who have painted their Hensley...myself included. Check out the thread 2airishuman references above. I used the Airstream Automotive (Dupont Metallic Gray (#360151-01) spray paint on mine so it matches my AS A-frame (which is actually Pewter Gray). It has been holding up well and looks much better.

Nice job Mongo, err Steve. Did you get the stickers from Hensley?

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

Nice job Mongo, err Steve. Did you get the stickers from Hensley?

Vaughn, I masked the stickers off when I painted it. I believe Hensley will provide replacement stickers though...at least everything except the serial number sticker... if you want to remove them before you paint.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by craftsman

Cheap paint is an understatement. My Henley is a year old and is rusting on every part. I took it apart today to sand and prepare it for new paint. Their corporate color is the Orange and it starts fading the day it's exposed to sun. Good hitch but one of the worse paint jobs that I've seen on something that's made to be exposed to weather. The company should be ashamed of themselves for such low quality work. You'll get a better job if you paint it before install.

Unfortunately, I heard this from customers for years. I just never could get the buy-in to fix the problem.

I have paid considerable attention to the paint process on the new ProPride 3P hitch because of this very complaint.

I've heard through the hitch vine that the orange company is now supposed to be doing something about their paint job. In fact, I think it was posted in a thread here too. I know that doesn't help you all here but it has been said that now they are doing something about it.

[crispyboy]

I purchased new stickers so I can repaint my hitch this spring. I have a question for those who may know. Can the the hitch be disassebled where it hinges? Are these just dust caps that I see and will there be a spindle nut with bearings beneath the dust cap?
I plan on using a good epoxy type of paint with finish coat on top. I typically use Chassis Saver or Eastwood products. These seem to less hassle than the Por 15 products.

[craftsman]

After posting, it made me so mad that I called Hensley. Although aware of the problem, at this time, I didn't get the impression from my heated conversation that they were doing anything about it. After disassembling my hitch there wasn't one piece that didn't have rust on it. Some parts are powder coated and it just flakes off. Other parts are sprayed right over bare untreated , unprimed metal.The brackets that attach to the A-frame were the worse with heavy rust in the spaces created by the welds. Heavy machinery is painted to protect it from the elements. I know that they could do a better job. I was told if they got more calls like mine , maybe management would do something about it. I wish they'd put me in one of their videos.

[Minnie's Mate]

Gee Craftsman, would you put on some fake crying and talk about how safe you now feels? (alluding to the little old lady whose husband has obviously passed the safe driving age )

[craftsman]

No,but management might feel like crying after they heard what I'd say.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by craftsman

Cheap paint is an understatement. My Henley is a year old and is rusting on every part. I took it apart today to sand and prepare it for new paint. Their corporate color is the Orange and it starts fading the day it's exposed to sun. Good hitch but one of the worse paint jobs that I've seen on something that's made to be exposed to weather. The company should be ashamed of themselves for such low quality work. You'll get a better job if you paint it before install.

This is how I did all the "black" parts before installation last fall.

The "Orange" will get it's two coats of automotive clear before re-installing

this Spring. And yes, it spent the Bflo. Winter inside the trlr. No since

tempting Fate.

As 2air mentioned hop on over to the HAHA user guide too see what others

have done.

Good luck, and start right away studying the owners manual it will really

help with the install.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by craftsman

After posting, it made me so mad that I called Hensley. Although aware of the problem, at this time, I didn't get the impression from my heated conversation that they were doing anything about it. After disassembling my hitch there wasn't one piece that didn't have rust on it. Some parts are powder coated and it just flakes off. Other parts are sprayed right over bare untreated , unprimed metal.The brackets that attach to the A-frame were the worse with heavy rust in the spaces created by the welds. Heavy machinery is painted to protect it from the elements. I know that they could do a better job. I was told if they got more calls like mine , maybe management would do something about it. I wish they'd put me in one of their videos.

I'm sorry to say the response you received doesn't surprise me.

It takes two extra steps to prepare the steel and get the powder coat to properly adhere to the steel. Not a lot more added cost. If done correctly you have to run it back through the oven to get the paint off the steel. It really just takes someone paying attention to it.