the ultimate haha users guide...

[sander17]

Originally Posted by bdbluegrass

Where can i purchase the magnetic hitching bars for my ha?

Thanks
billy
bdbluegrass

Camping World

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by bdbluegrass

Where can i purchase the magnetic hitching bars for my ha?...

hi billy

the fiberglass neon rods covered way back in post 29 (and on for several posts)

are a lot more available now than 2 years back.

directly from the distributor, they are about 5$ more than if purchased from many shops and online vendors.

http://www.qwks.com/Hitchin-Rods-p-2.html

google the name, amazon, cw and many rv supply shops now carry them.

i purchased one pair from a 'truck accessory' store.

cheers
2air'

[dpandorf]

I have a set of those hitching bars, used them twice, and now I don't need them. I can usually hit the mark my first time backing in.

The F250 Tow mirrors are wide enough that I can center myself on the trailer and use the optional backup warning system to alert me when I'm close. That's usually about 12-18" from the haha.

Then I just readjust the hitch jack and haha angle and back her on in!

[GreggH]

We finished the WBCCI Alaska caravan on 9/13 and on the next to last day another caravaner had their Hensley break. The pin on which the tension bar adjuster pivots broke. Part, almost half, of the fracture showed rust so it had been fatigued for a while. It broke off just inside the area where the pin sticks out from it's holder so it was in an area which could not be seen by inspection. It broke when the owner was in a parking lot and was just starting to pull away. The hitch is 9 yrs old. A machine shop in Prince Geoge, BC drilled out the remaining pin and installed another, at no charge by the way. The owner will contact Hensley when back in the US to replace the part. Put inspecting those pins on your maintenance list, just in case there is a fatique crack you can see. Didn't take any photos.
GreggH

[Aage]

"Lucky" for him it broke before he was really underway and on the road!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by GreggH

...The pin on which the tension bar adjuster pivots broke.

hi greggH

good report, nine years is a long time.

i'm having trouble visualizing WHERE on the haha this happened.

richL posted something similar in post #278 with pics...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...&postcount=278

is that where the break happened?

i realize u don't have any pics, so if that's not it,

how about using a generic haha picture (lots of them here) and circling the problem spot...

cheers
2air'

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

how about using a generic haha picture (lots of them here) and circling the problem spot...

Hey 2air',

I think you already circled it in Post 389.

[GreggH]

Page 15, post 202, 3rd photo down.
The pin on which the chrome locking collar is secured to hold on the strut, that is the pin which broke. It broke where it exits the frame bracket, just inside the bracket so visual inspection would not have shown anything.
Yes, post 389 is the area.
GreggH

[2airishuman]

ok guys, now i'm zoned in...

thanks for digging through our growing archive of tidbits here,

LOTS of good stuff in the 1st 500-600 posts...

that's an area we ALL should regularly inspect,

there is a lot of stress at that frame bracket-jack mount thing...

this is a 9 year old haha? that means u very likely sold it sean.

how often DID u seen issues at this area?

i assume the manufacturer will replace these parts under warranty?

have u done anything different on the new contraption in this area?

cheers
2air'

[safari57]

While in Sequim, WA two weeks ago we met a wonderful couple with a 31' Airstream and 3/4 ton truck. They mentioned that this was their second trailer given they rolled their first unit a few days after purchase. At the time they wanted a haha but were talked out of it by the dealer. They are convinced that had they had the right hitch they never would have had the accident which cost them a lot of money, their personal belongings, and some down time along with bruises and frustration. This was discussed as he talked about how happy he has been with his haha.

I just thought this was worth sharing to this group. I know that for most of you it is like the pope preaching to devout catholics, but for those of us who keep abreast of the latest on this thread but have yet to take the plunge it is food for thought.

Barry

[pmclemore]

I think I'm parked next to the guy at JC - Al from Norfolk, right?

He said he had had to male a pretty severe turn. Something we all should be on the lookout about.

Pat

[safari57]

I don't think they would be there Pat. These folks have a Golden Retriever named Marnie - a real sweetheart of a dog. She too has hit her "golden" years like them. Nice nice nice people. It was our understanding they were going to be in the PNW until about now and then heading to CA. I understood that their incident occurred a couple of years ago.

Barry

[pmclemore]

Wow - such similar stories. This guy is just returning from the AK caravan and stopped into JC. Makes this an even bigger caution, since your friend had the same failure as mine.

Pat

[crispyboy]

I wonder if this why the brackets on my used Hensley have bolts and nuts to replace the original shaft/collar configuration. So far it seems to work well. It may be a fix for those out in the field and can't order new brackets.

Check out post #548 on page 40.
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