To Hensley or not to Hensley

[Zigidachs]

Does anyone have any experience with an AirSafe hitch? They are available for TT's and eliminate the "bouncing" from the tongue on the back of the truck. Are the bouncing and chucking a problem with either the ProPride or the HA?

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Zigidachs

Does anyone have any experience with an AirSafe hitch? They are available for TT's and eliminate the "bouncing" from the tongue on the back of the truck. Are the bouncing and chucking a problem with either the ProPride or the HA?

No experince here, but I did look into one. They are available and can be used with what I call "normal" WD hitches, but don't believe they will work with a Hensley or ProPride. One of the bad things (IMHO) about the AirSafe hitch is it adds about a foot distance between the trailer and the tow vehicle. This in itself can worsen a case of sway if the oportunity exists.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Zigidachs

Does anyone have any experience with an AirSafe hitch? They are available for TT's and eliminate the "bouncing" from the tongue on the back of the truck. Are the bouncing and chucking a problem with either the ProPride or the HA?

Bouncing and porpoising are no greater problem with the PP or HA than with any weight distribution hitch. As far as I understand, the airSafe won't reduce that either. It just takes some of the shock out of it.

The last I heard ProPride was working on a system to incorporate an AirSafe type system, but have heard nothing new. The last I knew there is no way to use an Airsafe with the ProPride or Hensley.

Use the search function on the top blue bar and you will find some good info on the AirSafe system. I have found that the google option of the search works best for me.

regards,

Ken

[Hensley Ron]

I did have one customer rig his AirSafe with the Hensley. I should have asked for details. One problem is that it extends the hitch even further out of the back of the tow vehicle, but he said it worked like a charm. I'll see if I can track him down.

[Sean Woodruff]

We do have an adapter plate to use with the ProPride 3P hitch adjustable bar and the Air Safe hitch.

We also carry the Air Safe hitch now and both the adapter and the hitches will eventually show up on our web site when my designer catches up.

As the orange man said, the effective pivot point is moved rearward by the length of the Air Safe hitch. This, in effect, diminishes the sway eliminating features of the 3P or the orange. Most 'Stremers that use the Air Safe have a heavy suspension on their tow vehicle so it is likely they won't notice the difference moving the effective pivot point rearward and extending the lever arm that the pivot point creates behind the rear axle.


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[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Sean Woodruff

We do have an adapter plate to use with the ProPride 3P hitch adjustable bar and the Air Safe hitch.

We also carry the Air Safe hitch now and both the adapter and the hitches will eventually show up on our web site when my designer catches up.

As the orange man said, the effective pivot point is moved rearward by the length of the Air Safe hitch. This, in effect, diminishes the sway eliminating features of the 3P or the orange. Most 'Stremers that use the Air Safe have a heavy suspension on their tow vehicle so it is likely they won't notice the difference moving the effective pivot point rearward and extending the lever arm that the pivot point creates behind the rear axle.


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Thanks Shawn,

Do you have a picture that you can post or a link to a picture of what this adapter looks like. I am just curious. Does it stay attached to the trailer or the tow vehicle when unhitched?

Regards,

Ken

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by w7ts

Thanks Shawn,

Do you have a picture that you can post or a link to a picture of what this adapter looks like. I am just curious. Does it stay attached to the trailer or the tow vehicle when unhitched?

Regards,

Ken

Hey Ken,

I don't have a good picture yet but I'll get one. It stays attached to the Air Safe hitch. It is an adjustable hitch shank, hitch end, attached to the Air Safe hitch.

[boondockdad]

I'm surprised to see ProPride endorsing an Air Safe attachment.

Why would one need that?

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

I'm surprised to see ProPride endorsing an Air Safe attachment.

Why would one need that?

We respond to customer requests.

It cushions road shock.

Whether it is "needed" can be debated all day long. I choose to stay out of those debates.


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[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

I'm surprised to see ProPride endorsing an Air Safe attachment.

Why would one need that?

I am guessing it is to satisfy the proponents of the famous theory that the big tow vehicle boogeyman will destroy your trailer.



Ken

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I am guessing it is to satisfy the proponents of the famous theory that the big tow vehicle boogeyman will destroy your trailer.



Ken

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by Sean Woodruff

We respond to customer requests.

It cushions road shock.

Whether it is "needed" can be debated all day long. I choose to stay out of those debates.


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I don't think "staying out" is possible, at this point
Your adapter implies tacit endorsement

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I am guessing it is to satisfy the proponents of the famous theory that the big tow vehicle boogeyman will destroy your trailer.



Ken

Or your Airstream is really a Faberge egg, with a metallic finish

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

Or your Airstream is really a Faberge egg, with a metallic finish

Wow, can you imagine how much they would cost if that was true.

Now wait a minute,...... Maybe it is true.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

I don't think "staying out" is possible, at this point
Your adapter implies tacit endorsement

I answered the question "Why would one need that?"

I'm not sure how it got tied into endorsing the cushioning of road shock.

I endorse what works and there are varying degrees of "works" based on the customers values.

Too many companies attempt to cram ONE WAY of doing something down their potential customer's throats. I believe it is arrogant and doesn't work real well in today's world. I choose to respond to requests, when it makes sense to do so, and service my CUSTOMER'S needs. It's really a matter of perspective.

If someone asked me if I endorse the Air Safe hitch for cushioning road shock I would reply, "Yes." If I were asked do I "need" to cushion road shock I would reply, "that is up to you, I don't arrogantly pretend to know what YOU need." Many people like to cushion road shock and many people do not.

That is why I stay out of debates about need.

[boondockdad]

I see your point.
If it's not affecting the performance of the PP, why not?

BTW, what type of vehicle was the customer towing with?

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

If it's not affecting the performance of the PP, why not?

This is my take on it.

It may not be effecting the performance of the ProPride (or Hensley) per se, but it will move the pivot point of the whole system to the rear by the length of the Airsafe. This lengthening of the pivot point to rear axle distance will exacerbate the effect of any sway forces.

Ken

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by w7ts

This is my take on it.

It may not be effecting the performance of the ProPride (or Hensley) per se, but it will move the pivot point of the whole system to the rear by the length of the Airsafe. This lengthening of the pivot point to rear axle distance will exacerbate the effect of any sway forces.

Ken

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong

No need for correction, sir...

The offsetting factor of moving the effective pivot point further from the rear axle is that Air Safe users "usually" have a heavy suspension tow vehicle.

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[slowmover]

diminishes the sway eliminating features of the 3P or the orange. Most 'Stremers that use the Air Safe have a heavy suspension on their tow vehicle so it is likely they won't notice the difference moving the effective pivot point rearward and extending the lever arm that the pivot point creates behind the rear axle.


We also, I believe, still have not seen a rig set up on a certified scale -- before and after Air Safe installation -- so, potentially, even a hebby-dooty pickemup may not be adhering to manufacturer guidelines in re WDH use. This bandaid may have been unnecessary if we knew hitch rigging met guidelines in the first place (or had a lesser effect than reported, making it nearly moot).

I've noticed in any number of threads (on numerous boards) that Load Range E tires are simply pumped up to the 80-psi maximum regardless of the actual load OR the manufacturer requirements. It isn't simply a question of ride quality in this case, but of handling & braking as well as tire life, then perceived "quality".

The only way to do all of this is on certified scales, on a regular basis in order to accommodate differing loads.

I'm as interested as the next guy in a better ride, but numbers need to be respected before and after installation to ascertain whether this detrimental add-on is worthwhile; hitch-rigging and tire pressure all done according to spec.

.

[Zigidachs]

The resounding issue is not the stability with the ProPride or the HA, but of potential damage to the AS when towing with an HD truck. The investment-yes it IS an investment- of hard earned income into an AS it worthy of proactive protection.