Sky, you are welcome. I'm happy to share the knowledge as other owners have done before. This thread is really helpful.
I don't know exact mileage but from going back through my blog I see that the hitch was installed March 7, 2006. The U-brackets were original equipment. The truck has accumulated about 30,000 miles since then, and so I figure the hitch has gotten about 20-22k miles.
Keep in mind that we are full-timers. We will probably replace the U-brackets annually. For less frequent travelers, I'd suggest annual inspection for cracks or stretching of the holes.
By the way, I forgot to mention that during today's service I found one zerk with the nub mostly chewed off, so I replaced that too. I kept the worn zerk as an emergency spare but I plan to buy another new pair ASAP. I seem to have to replace the zerks every 10,000 miles or so, regardless of greasing, so I consider them to be another annual service item.
By the way, I forgot to mention that during today's service I found one zerk with the nub mostly chewed off, so I replaced that too. I kept the worn zerk as an emergency spare but I plan to buy another new pair ASAP. I seem to have to replace the zerks every 10,000 miles or so, regardless of greasing, so I consider them to be another annual service item.[/quote]
Rich, I had the same problem last time I serviced my HAHA.(both zerks were worn down to nubs) I called Hensley and found out that I had seated the zerks too deep.(the outside threaded part of the zerk was rubbing the bar) Now I just seat the zerks till they hold the bar. I twist out the bar and insert my gloved finger up to the zerk and make sure that only the spring loaded nub is sticking out. This seems to be working so far.
Ps thanks for all the photos! I will check my brackets tonight!
Abe
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"Abe" & Melissa Lincoln
1976 Overlander "Spirit"
2005 Suburban w/q-steer
Hensley Hitch
WBCCI# 7627 / VAC
Air #2798
Hi Joe,
Painting can't be a priority for you! Seems to me you had the paint way back in June at the Morraine View rally. I was hoping to see a silver Hensley by now. Great posts by the way. I was going to get those fluorescent rods but figured looking at them would blind me so I just use the "force" and seem to nail it the first time every time.
Al
HAS ANYONE TRIED POWDER COATING.
Just ordered yesterday, and if Mother Nature follows her pattern I probably wont install til next season so I'll have some time to read this thread from cover to cover. Already wrapped my head around some very good ideas, which I'm sure will become a lot clearer when the Arrow lands.
Spent a couple hours getting my Resse off the "Frantic Banana"
Cleaned some rust from under the stainless covers, used some spray-on bedliner looks pretty good.
Is there any reason not to re-install the stainless A-frame covers?, do they interfere with the haha brackets?, think I did see them in one of 2airs posts.
Only for transport? Then why do all the sales brochure's make such a big deal about it, a lot cheaper to just wrap the A-frame in plastic!!
But I like shinny too, so if they haven't caused a problem, they go back on!!
My unit did not have the SS covers and the frame was marked from the transport WD hitch. Plastic would would not have prevented the scratching. I like the shinny also and would seal under the cover and the edges to prevent water intursion if I had a set.
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WBCCI #9990 | 
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AIRSTREAM LIFE magazine
Powder Coating
Spent the afternoon today getting the HAHA ready for tomorrows install.
NOT BAD, JUST A ONE BEER JOB!