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Hammer · 03-25-2007, 07:34 AM

The HA must be a fine hitch. I'm trying to compare it to the Pullrite. Can anyone help me?The Pullrite makes sense to me, I'm having a hard time understanding how the HA works.
Thanks,
Mike

davidz71 · 03-25-2007, 09:16 AM

Mike,
If you contact Hensley Manufacturing, they will be happy to send you material along with a DVD explaining the HA. My trailer came with the HA and I just wanted a little more info.

2airishuman · 03-25-2007, 11:51 AM

hi hammer and welcome to the forums...

reading about the various systems is easy,

just google the names, and throw in a term like comparison or features or differences...

here is a piece from a chap using the pullrite with a simple comparison table and some basic haha info...

trailer hitch system comparisons

and here is a haha thread with very

good info and links...

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ide-26279.html

it is easy to spend a few hours reading but that doesn't equate to understanding....

with the haha, seeing it function AND towing with it quickly boosts understanding and make the abstract/theoretical information complete....

someone videotaped mine last year and after about 30 seconds said "now i get it!"

happy shopping and safe travels

2air'

Dwight · 03-25-2007, 01:26 PM

Mike,
The Pullrite attaches to the frame of your TV (if your TV has a spare tire under the rear, unsually it will have to be relocated) and usually can not be transfer to another vehicle, the Hensley on the other hand attaches to your trailer. Also until recently, the Pullrite was about half the cost of the Hensley. Now the Pullrite is equal to the Hensley in price and you do not get a lifetime warranty with it.
Dwight

markparker22 · 03-25-2007, 02:07 PM

Mike:
I went throught the same thought process. Did not intuitively understand the Hensley Arrow hitch, but did understand the Pullrite. I went with the Pullrite on my 3/4 Ton Suburban that had the spare inside the back storage area. Extremely pleased with the performance. Very good customer support by the way.
Mark

markjoandall · 03-26-2007, 11:03 AM

Mike,

I've owned both the hensley and the pullrite. Both hitches do as advertised and work very well.

I am currently using the hensley and like it a little better because:

1. Here in the north, with all the salt on the road and such, I had to replace the seven wire recepticle on the hitch every year. the salt and moisture were very damaging to the recepticle. I don't have to do that with the hensley.

2. I find the hensley easier to hook up. It was much more difficult to stress the load bars on the pullrite for a number of reasons.

3. The pullrite carried most of the hitch weight on the tow vehicle while the weight of the hensley is on the trailer. When you disconnect the weight stays with the trailer.

4. You have to watch your shins on both hitches.

5. The pullrite was much more difficult to sell and because most of the hitch is on the tow vehicle, I could not recoup that cost.

6. When I purchased my hensley, the pullrite was available for the surburban but would only work if the spare was removed from the vehicle. I was not willing to give up the spare.

I hope this helps you.

Mark

Jim Clark · 03-26-2007, 12:06 PM

I have never used the Pullrite so I have no opinion good or bad. I purchased a remanufactured Hensley from Hensley and I am very happy with the unit. You cannot tell it from new. I like the ability to switch vehicles if necessary. I have heard many stories of problems on the road solved by the purchase of a new TV while on the road. With the Hensley the only problem may be the need for a different drop bar, which can be shipped very quickly. I can also state the Hensley has very good customer service and 2 air has kept the Ultimate haha users guide thread going. A lot of support and information right here.

Thanks Jim

markparker22 · 03-26-2007, 12:44 PM

Mark of markjoandall:
I agree that the stock lift mechanism on my Pullrite was not the best design. It took too much lifting strength to apply tension to the weight distribution bars.
However, I modified a Reese chain lift by cutting the vertical Pullrite plates (that guide the Weight Distribution bars) and welding them below the Reese lift. The Reese lift has a much better mechanical advantage.
Mark

HowieE · 03-26-2007, 06:29 PM

A major difference betwee the Pullrite and both the Reese and the Hensley hitches is the handling while backing up. Pullrite is the same as backing up a tractor trailer or fithwheel because of the forward placement of the pivot point, almost centered on the rear axle.

Hammer · 03-28-2007, 06:35 AM

I really appreciate all of your replies while I'm learning about these two hitches.
Thanks,
Mike

ShikariJones · 08-01-2008, 03:25 PM

I have spent considerable time researching hitches with the best antisway design as I am about to buy a new tow vehicle.

Given that highway stats show that you are twice as likely to be in accident towing versus not towing,cheaping out on your hitch is unacceptable.

For me it comes down to Pullrite and a Hensley arrow.

Both these hitches are designed to eliminate trailer sway completely so it comes down to which is the better value.

Pullrite gets my vote as Iwill be keeping my TV [diesel] for a very long time so the HA transferability feature means little.

Friction type antisway bars are a panacea-not a solution.In fact they may provide a sense of security that does not exist in fact and may contribute to serious accidents.

I would go so far as to say that the trailer industry does nothing to help new trailer owners in safety aspects of hitches and the hitch industry is just out to sell hitches.

Caveat Emptor.

Do your homework and buy the safest money can buy.

Yours and your families lives are at stake!

Sean Woodruff · 08-01-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShikariJones

I have spent considerable time researching hitches with the best antisway design as I am about to buy a new tow vehicle.

Given that highway stats show that you are twice as likely to be in accident towing versus not towing,cheaping out on your hitch is unacceptable.

For me it comes down to Pullrite and a Hensley arrow.

Both these hitches are designed to eliminate trailer sway completely so it comes down to which is the better value.

Pullrite gets my vote as Iwill be keeping my TV [diesel] for a very long time so the HA transferability feature means little.

Friction type antisway bars are a panacea-not a solution.In fact they may provide a sense of security that does not exist in fact and may contribute to serious accidents.

I would go so far as to say that the trailer industry does nothing to help new trailer owners in safety aspects of hitches and the hitch industry is just out to sell hitches.

Caveat Emptor.

Do your homework and buy the safest money can buy.

Yours and your families lives are at stake!

Excellent post ShikariJ...

The trailer industry DOES usually turn a blind eye to sway. With the attorneys out there waiting to jump on them I guess that is a stance they are forced to take.

BUT, there are some hitch companies that are out to make an ever improving product to eliminate sway. I do admit I AM a biased participant in that fact.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-02-2008, 12:42 AM

Hi, in the video from Airstream, showing a Porche towing an Airstream, What hitch did they use? Or did they run this test on the ball alone? Curious. I have never heard, mention, of any hitch from Airstream Inc. Do they sell any hitches in the Airstream store?

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-02-2008, 01:49 AM

Hi, I just watched the video of the Porche towing an Airstream and it looks like it had a Reese Dual Cam hitch.

ole81 · 07-11-2010, 08:38 PM

I am puzzled at the fact that there are no comments about Pullrite in almost 2 years.
We pull our 1981 31' Excella II with our 2001 F-250 diesel and it makes long trips a real breeze....
no more stress from 18 wheelers whizzing by.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-11-2010, 08:53 PM

Hi, I think I have only seen two of these hitches in my life; And I'm pretty old. But I have never seen one with a trailer connected. Like to see pictures of one connected in straight and turned positions.

Jammer · 07-12-2010, 06:50 AM

By all reports the pullrite works well.

The lack of popularity is due to the need to have one such hitch per TV, and due to the problems with clearance during installation.

I sometimes borrow an extended cab pickup when I need room for more passengers, which is easy enough to work out with the ppppp. With the pullrite I would need two hitches.

markparker22 · 07-12-2010, 07:22 PM

To get an idea how the Pullrite Trailer hitch works and a short video go to:
PullRite has a SAFER, STRONGER, BETTER designed hitch for you

ole81 · 07-13-2010, 08:55 PM

Yes, I admit that the PullRite has some disadvantages....for example, you have to carry your TV spare in the bed of the truck because of the PullRite's configuration.
I have never used a Hensley or other comparable competitor, so I can't make a comparison.
...but in my book, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

I used to be totally stressed out towing before I bought this truck with the PullRite.

slowmover · 07-18-2010, 07:12 AM

I looked at the PULLRITE and found only two negatives:

1] Weighs over 400# as installed on TV. (If I had to do it over I would have bought a 1T versus a 3/4T truck . . coming close to factory payload capacity isn't difficult with a big trailer and fulltiming equipment aboard).

2] Reduces ground clearance significantly at truck rear. It'll need to be checked against each vehicle, but, a 4WD is a more likely candidate than a 2WD pickup.

What I liked about it -- and still do -- is the ability to pull OTHER trailers with the antisway qualities of the hitch.

As others have mentioned, spare tire needs to be relocated and exhaust system needs to be re-worked.

Doesn't seem so long ago that a PR was about $750.