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10-17-2007, 08:29 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2007 25' International CCD FB
Gahanna
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 157
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What swayed you to buy Hensley hitch?
Hello,
No pun intended, but I was wondering what led you spend nearly $3000 on a hitch? I towed our 25ft International back from South Carolina over the mountains of Virginia, NC and WV with a WD hitch/sway bar combo and brake controller. My TV is a new Chevy 2500HD Duramax. In most cases I was the one passing the semis, but I never noticed any sway and on the flats I could almost forget that the 25 footer was behind me.
Not to ruffle any feathers but $3000 is a lot of money to spend. I'm intrigued by the testimonials and the ability to back it up without having to run back and pull off my sway bar, but geez... that's a lot of cash to shell out.
Maybe with my TV and trailer weight, I'm not a good candidate for one?
Cheers,
Doug
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10-17-2007, 09:11 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Hampton
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,126
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No feathers ruffled here. From my perspective, the $3K was a rounding error compared to the investment in Airstream, tow vehicle and family safety. Previously I had towed with an Expedition and 30' SOB with sway bars, and most trips ended with white knuckles.
In the scheme of things, going with Hensley was not a big decision. My view was that they were the tops in their space - possibly one of my easier decisions. Actually, about 1,000 times easier a decision than helping choose a wall color for our bathroom at home...
__________________
Brad (The Slowsky's)
2019 Airstream Classic 30RBT, 2021 Ford F350 King Ranch 4X4 w/6.7L Diesel, Hensley, ACI #1313
travelwiththeslowskys.com
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10-17-2007, 09:29 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Yakman,
To each his/her own, but I'm with you. Except I back up with my sway bar connected.
Dave
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10-17-2007, 09:39 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,565
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Why did we shell out the money for a Hensley hitch? Short wheelbase towing vehicle, never pulled a trailer before, and did not want to experience any problems which would make our Airstream unpleasant for us. We thought of the difference between the price of the Hensley and another good brand of weight-distributing hitch to be an insurance payment. In the almost 6 years we have had the Hensley, there have been few times when it was "necessary," but we have never regretted the extra expenditure. We do not, however, expect everyone else to share our views on the hitch (and the forum makes clear than not everyone does ).
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10-17-2007, 09:43 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Tim,
I would certainly never "gig" you for your choice, You have to be comfortable with your equipment.
Dave
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10-17-2007, 10:51 PM
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#6
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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For the same reason I bought an Airstream; I wanted the best.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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10-18-2007, 04:03 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic Slideout
2021 33FB Classic
Colleyville
, TX
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,540
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We towed with other equipment for a year or two and were fairly comfy with that setup. After testimonials from others here and on the road, we felt the addition of the Hensley would be like another good insurance policy on ourselves, our TV and Airstream. We were fortunate enough to be able to pony up the cash and take the plunge. Hooking up with the Hensley is second nature to us now and we wouldn't go back. Bottom line: I've always had a fear of hanging one side of the trailer rolling gear off the road and getting into sway configuration I couldn't recover from.
HAPPY TRAILS
__________________
In dog years, I'm dead!
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10-18-2007, 05:46 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2006 19' Safari SE
Central Part
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 161
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Hi,
When I got my Airstream (19') two years ago I had never towed a travel trailer before so I relied on my dealer to tell me what I needed. I was retiring and buying the Airstream as a "present" to myself so the final total of $$$ involved with the overall purchase were not the main concern. I had worked hard for 30+ years and wanted the best (which is why I was on the Airstream lot and not some other brand).
If the dealer would have told me that the Hensley was the best hitch available I would have bought it without a second thought. However, what the dealer did instead was to more or less imply that I didn't know what I was talking about (probably true, but...) to even suggest such a thing for a small trailer.
The dealer specifically told me that:
(1) the only thing you put on a 19" trailer is Weight-Distribution
(2) Sway Control is only for trailers over 25' in length
(3) Hensley Hitches are only for trailers 30' and up...
So for the last two years and 15,000+ miles of towing I have been pushed around relentlessly by 18-wheelers and fighting sway...
This winter off-season I am making one last attempt to get my Reese WD setup correct and if I am not 100% happy with it by springtime I will just go and buy the Hensley and if I am the only 19 footer around with one then so be it.
In the overall scheme of things the $3K doesn't matter.
best regards, Dave
__________________
Dave&Shari Wagner
2006 Bambi SE,
2008 Ford F350 Diesel 4x4
AIR#23096
" I am lost and have gone Airstreaming to find myself, If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait..."
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10-18-2007, 06:13 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2005 28' Safari
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 95
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If you get "pushed around" then hensley is correct.
If you have a larger trailer, larger TV then the term would
be more like, "slight buffeting" sway isn't a problem.
If you have to "stop talking and get set" every time a semi overtakes you,
then it isn't a vacation. Hensley will allow you to see the scenery
instead of watching the rearview for the next semi-storm to blow by.
PS On seeing your Ranger as TV, make sure you get the correct weight on the spring bars.
500# should be right. The standard bars come 1000#. Too much spring bar can make the TV/TT
drive and behave strangely.
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10-18-2007, 06:48 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2007 25' International CCD
Sugar Grove
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 346
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I'm still wondering about a Hensley hitch. I've had experienced 'Streamers tell me they wouldn't travel without one! They love it. On the other hand, I've had folks tell me it is important if one is pulling a 25' or larger - that I wouldn't really need one for a 23' International - if that is what I end up getting. I DON'T KNOW. Please keep the suggestions and comments coming as I have yet to make a decision. I want to get what is the best for me - the price isn't going to be the major concern. $3,000 is a concern but I'm not going to let the price make my decision for me. Thanks for your comments.
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10-18-2007, 07:47 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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I'm still wondering also. I've never used a Hensley, and really don't understand how they work...yes I've watched the video, and heard all the testimonials. It's not that I don't believe that they work, it's just that even the video did not explain how they work.
I will say that I've pulled trailers all of my driving life... all the way from bumper pulled utility trailers to 24' Argosys. I've pulled small (17') travel trailers with a bumper hitch, used WD hitches without sway control, with friction sway control, and used the Reese WD hitch with the cams. I've pulled with long wheelbase 3/4 ton pickups, 1/2 ton Suburbans, and as small of vehicles as a Dodge Ramcharger pulling a 24' Argosy with no sway control with a WD hitch.
Did I have sway? Yes, on some of them, but it was never to the degree that I even felt uncomfortable, let alone fearful, and it could always be reduced if not eliminated with the proper setup of the hitch and the tow vehicle by adjusting things such as tire air pressure. If I felt the need, I would spend the $3000. Maybe if I used one I would feel differently, but then I would have spent the money just to find out. Decisions, decisions!
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10-18-2007, 08:31 AM
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#12
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Wow... this is a perennial subject. Let me start off by saying I do NOT own a Hensley. I have seen their advertising, and I have seen them in person. They are a superb hitch, I understand how they work and what they do, and the do exactly what they're advertised to do. I briefly considered buying one, but quickly recognized that they are several times heavier than a standard tow setup, and I could accomplish the same result in other ways.
All trailers have a propensity to sway at a high enough speed. That threshold varies from tow vehicle/trailer setup to setup. The speed at which the onset of sway occurs is a symptom of some other deficiency, not an inherent problem in the trailer that can't be cured except by a mechanical sway control solution.
What the Hensley is NOT (contrary to the advertising) is a cure-all for imbalanced trailers, poorly engineered tow vehicle suspensions, soft-sidewall tires, or any other of the myriad causes of sway. A Hensley, or Equal-i-zer with sway control or Reese Dual Cam will mask the causes of sway, but they don't eliminate the basic problems or causes of sway.
Sway control of any variety should be used, but only AFTER the causes of sway have been resolved. If you have a sway issue, and you don't correct it before applying a mechanical sway control solution, your basic issues remain and will merely be masked until you overcome the sway control's ability to mask the problem, whatever it may have been. And then you crash, and usually without warning.
So, if you want to spend the money for the Hensley, and it gives you peace of mind, go for it, but make sure that you've corrected any deficiencies in your tow rig that cause sway first. That's not easy, and as I found out towing my 34' tri-axle with my Excursion that diagnosing the causes of the problem takes time, perserverance, and perhaps some cash to throw at the tow vehicle/trailer combo, but it can be done. Once you've eliminated the inherent issues that cause the sway to begin with, then adding sway control for an added margin of safety makes sense.
And, BTW, sway control makes sense for ALL trailers, not merely 25' and up, and the sway control solution you apply has as much or more to do with the tow vehicle than the trailer itself.
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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10-18-2007, 08:37 AM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Allegan
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 146
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Doug,
I have a similar setup - 2500HD and two different 25 foot Airstreams. (1975 is about 4200 lbs empty and the 1985 is 5300 lbs.) Since the truck is fairly heavy - 6700 lbs -I don't have the problem of the "tail wagging the dog" and the regular hitch works fine. (My previous TV was a 1/2 ton and the setup worked with the lighter trailer.)
I use the Reese system with the dual cam sway control and have been quite satisfied for the last 10 years. However, I have no experience with the Hensley so I can't comment on it. Lately, I've been somewhat concerned with "extra" weight and it appears that the Hensley woulc be a bit heavier that the Reese system.
If I had sway problems I'd certainly look at the Hensley - especially with a longer trailer. I bought some parts of my system used - total about 500. If you do go the Hensley route buy a good lock!
Good luck,
Whit Nash
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10-18-2007, 10:07 AM
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#14
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_
.
, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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the thread title is written as a question to those that OWN this specific brand of hitch...
yet answers about this product often and regularly come from folks...
who don't own one, haven't towed with one...
and yet seem to know as much (or more) about the product as those who actually HAVE used it.
it is really just the strangest behavior 2 me....
like nuns giving advice on sex toys
or groundhogs explaining travel in outer space.
no offense intended guys but IMAGINE for a second IF the answers were ALL just to this point, and by those 'qualified' to answer...
"what led you to spend nearly $3,000 on a hitch"
roger is of course correct that many factors need to be addressed on the tv and trailer,
where dynamic control is an issue.
and druupy is right that 'relaxed towing' is one of the primary experiences with the haha...
so yakman,
IF your question is sincere just go back to "hitches" sub forum and rank the threads by replies or views....
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...esc&sort=views
a dozen threads will rise near the top and inside many of them are answers to the "why" question....
for others ( wagnerda, pilgrim, steveH) wanting to understand more about the hensley go here...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ide-26279.html
MOST of the folks posting there are actual users and towing 100s of thousands of miles with the product.
LOTS of background on 'how' it works and plenty of user tips as well....
also a few folks describe the towing difference for them compared to other brands...
but for most of the haha users....
the topics focused on by non users are 'non issues'...
the haha is the only product i've ever encountered that has 99.99% user satifaction.
while the problems (with the haha) seem to only exist for non-users
one of my favorite observations was made by theo 2 years ago and it still holds true...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo
I have noticed that the paint has gone, in some places.. when we get to our next spot, I will do some touching up, and maintainance issue stuff, on the whole rig.. I have hauled my beautiful 34 footer over 13,000 miles, and have nothing but praise for the lump of orange, on the tow bar.. It is amazing, better by far than anything else I have used ( with over 100,000 miles towing large trailers, with pickup trucks, I have used most everything else)
I visit other forums, where the members with Hensleys praise them all the time, and the members without say they aren't worth the money.. Funny that - if you haven't got a hensley arrow, it isn't worth the money, you haven't spent, but if you have one, you would buy another in a heartbeat if you needed to...
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cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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10-18-2007, 10:29 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 411
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It's like the old Packard ad: "Ask the man who owns one." But don't ask me - my old Reese works just fine. Darol
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10-18-2007, 11:21 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,638
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The Hensley Arrow is basically like having the A-arms from the front suspension of a sports car rotated 90 degrees. It projects the rotation center ahead of the trailer hitch to somewhere around the differential ("pumpkin").
What this does is make a travel trailer act like a 5th wheel; when ever the trailer tries to sway and shake it's tongue, the force being transmitted forward makes it react more nearly directly between the tires, rather than 3-4 feet aft. So the trailer has less leverage to wag the tow vehicle. It's straight forward physics, and it works.
I don't own one, but I understand exactly how they work. I think they are the best, bar none. However, I am amazed that nobody has come up with a similar design and sold it at half the price. I think I see a business opportunity here
I'm helping a guy build an airplane right now. He's been a pilot for 40 years but has no clue whatsoever how to align the wings. I think just owning something doesn't qualify you to comment on how it works. But to 2Air's point, the original question was price justification and I've strayed a bit off topic here....
Seriously, you can't patent a 4-bar linkage. It'd be like trying to patent a car's suspension. It's too basic.
I use an Equal-I-Zer and have had very good luck with it so far. I used to use the Reese Dual Cam but didn't like fighting chains and grease. It did perform OK though.
Get a crew cab dually and just tow it on the ball. Seriously though, as stated before, you want to make sure everything else is dialed in right. Then if you still have troubles, look at the Hensely.
Take care,
__________________
- Jim
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10-18-2007, 11:23 AM
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#17
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman
the thread title is written as a question to those that OWN this specific brand of hitch...
yet answers about this product often and regularly come from folks...
who don't own one, haven't towed with one...
and yet seem to know as much (or more) about the product as those who actually HAVE used it.
it is really just the strangest behavior 2 me....
cheers
2air'
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2air...
It is not my intent to get into yet another cost/benefit analysis of the Hensley, and I can't address what causes other folks to post to these threads. I can only explain MY response to the Hensley question/answer phenomenon.
What annoys me most about Hensley advertising and the testamonials is that the Hensley continues to be marketed as a "panacea for all ills" to folks who don't understand the basics of why they have the symptoms they're experiencing. I have no beef with the apparatus itself; we've all agreed that it works. It's the marketing hype promulgated by the manufacturer and perpetuated by Hensley owners that I take issue with.
There are millions of travel trailers on the road being towed quite safely with hitches other than the Hensley Arrow. If a specific rig is so uncontrollable that the HA is the only thing that can cause it to be towed without problems, then perhaps either the trailer or tow vehicle should be retired as (contrary to popular belief) the HA does not in and of itself make it a safe tow rig. What it does is allows an owner to be less aware about those things that matter in causing sway issues.
What I hear is "I had problems and bought a Hensley and the problems miraculously disappeared!" The Hensley doesn't cause problems to disappear, it just spreads the unusual loads generated by the problems equally onto all of the axles and tires, and moves the apparent pivot point near the center of the rear axle which causes the problems to "appear to disappear" until the forces generated by the problem are so great that they can overcome the control of the Hensley.
Once again, I want to reiterate that I understand how the Hensley works, and it's a well designed system that does what it's supposed to.
Now for the BUT... so to do all of the other manufacturer's solutions out there when the factors causing the problem are resolved. So... does someone need to spend the $3k if their problems can be resolved by increasing the tongue weight, making sure the tires are aired up, or as was in my case, modifying the suspension of the tow vehicle to cause it to act as it should have from the factory? If you have no problems with your towing setup, do you need a Hensley? If you have problems that can be corrected easily, is it still necessary to buy one once those issues are corrected? I have no issue with folks who understand exactly what they're buying and who still want to spend that money
We all know that the Hensley is good at what it does; but there are penalties; e.g. weight and price. I just think that folks need to understand what is happening that causes them to experience what they're experiencing, and then be able to work through those issues until they're satisfied that sway isn't a concern. THEN, if they want that added margin, fine.
What I can't abide is someone spending the $3k for the panacea without knowing what the alternatives really are, and without fixing the actual problem that plagues them to begin with, but pronouncing it "cured".
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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10-18-2007, 11:55 AM
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#18
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,961
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Side note question
Quote:
Originally Posted by yakman
I'm intrigued by the testimonials and the ability to back it up without having to run back and pull off my sway bar....
Doug
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I hate to ask this, but am I not supposed to back with the sway bar on? I have yet to take it off to do so. Am I doing damge?
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10-18-2007, 12:00 PM
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#19
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,961
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On the other hand...
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman
the thread title is written as a question to those that OWN this specific brand of hitch...
yet answers about this product often and regularly come from folks...
who don't own one, haven't towed with one...
and yet seem to know as much (or more) about the product as those who actually HAVE used it.
it is really just the strangest behavior 2 me....
like nuns giving advice on sex toys
or groundhogs explaining travel in outer space.
cheers
2air'
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I have never been pregnant, but I have a pretty good idea how that works
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10-18-2007, 12:03 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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I back up all the time with my Reese Dual Cam. The bars slide off the cams as they should. There may be a bit more squeeking but it works for me. I recall John Irwin disengaging his Reese due to a driveway that was a sharp change from the the road surface.
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