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09-27-2014, 03:42 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2012 16' International
Bratenahl
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
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Hitches
I'm a newbie and could really use some hitch advice from one of you experienced Air-streamers. I ordered a new Flying Cloud 25 foot that shows a GVWR of 7300 lbs. I also ordered a Ford F150 with the correct axle and all towing options. Now while I'm waiting on them to come in, I'm trying to figure out my hitch. My dealer wants me to use the E2 Fastway...probably because that's what they sell. I've talked to Hensley and they say the Hensley Swift Arrow. Reese says the RP66084. Who do I believe or where do I get un biased advice? Thanks in advance for any help.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums - Fred
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09-27-2014, 03:47 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
2014 25' Flying Cloud
San Luis Obispo
, California
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 104
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I'd sure take a serious look at the ProPride too!
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
2014 Flying Cloud - 25' RB
2016 Tundra
Air# 42643; WBCCI# 3884
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09-27-2014, 03:50 PM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
2012 16' International
Bratenahl
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
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Thanks!
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums - Fred
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09-27-2014, 03:50 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Welcome, The hensley and propride are both over kill for your trailer. Check out the BlueOx Swaypro.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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09-27-2014, 03:52 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
2012 16' International
Bratenahl
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
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OK...thanks!
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums - Fred
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09-27-2014, 03:56 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1977 27' Overlander
Carrollton
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
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The Eaz-Lift Prostar with the 9.5' drop if truck is 4x4. 10,000# towing.
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09-27-2014, 03:58 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWCHIEF
Welcome, The hensley and propride are both over kill for your trailer.
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Considering a new truck and trailer, I would beg to differ. A 25' over 7,500 lbs is getting up there and if it were me I would be looking at the Hensley, Propride offering.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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09-27-2014, 04:01 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
2012 16' International
Bratenahl
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
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Since this is my first trailer...I might go up to a larger one someday and then I'll need a better hitch for sure. So, is there any reason I shouldn't get the Hensley now and just be done with it? Will it cause me trouble with my 25 foot?
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums - Fred
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09-27-2014, 04:04 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach
, Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
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I personally like the design of the air-safe hitch.. even though i did not try it yet..propably another alternative to the ones mentioned above.
__________________
Stefan
Resurrecting one Airstream at the time..
maybe one day i save them all
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09-27-2014, 06:18 PM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
LaMarque
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 133
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I have a 2014 25 flying cloud and my TV is a 2013 Ford F250 FX4 Diesel I myself picked a Equalizer hitch. It works I've logged lots of miles and never had any issues. It's a good hitch for the money.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums silver bp
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09-27-2014, 06:39 PM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silverbp
I have a 2014 25 flying cloud and my TV is a 2013 Ford F250 FX4 Diesel I myself picked a Equalizer hitch. It works I've logged lots of miles and never had any issues. It's a good hitch for the money.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums silver bp
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I am picking up a new 25 flying cloudFB next month. My TV is a Chevy 2500 HD Diesel. The Airstream dealer is recommending an Equalizer E4 hitch 12000. I had previously planned on purchasing a ProPride. I realize that there are many, many opinions on which hitch is best. I am trying to determine if the Equalizer will do the job and provide safe towing. Silverbp can you elaborate on your experience with the Equalizer. Interested in others on the forum opinion on effectiveness of the Equalizer E4. Also on whether the size of the Equalizer needed for my setup.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
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09-27-2014, 06:50 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
LaMarque
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 133
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Well I also looked the PP hitch and talked to lots of folks before went the way I did. Just could not see spending twice to three times as much for a hitch that didn't work any better then the Equalizer hitch. I have the very same hitch that you listed and I can't be any happier. I'd say save the money and put it toward something worth wild. It's your call. Bill
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums silver bp
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09-27-2014, 07:18 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Equalizer standard hitch with 1000# bars for the last 6 years ... but more bar than is really needed. I'd get the softer bars if I had it to do over again.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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09-27-2014, 08:12 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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We have used Equal-I-Zer, Andersen, and now use a ProPride hitch. The Hensley/ProPride design works differently than all other hitches, projecting all push or sway forces forward to the truck rear axle, where they are stopped before they can occur. All other receiver mount hitches leverage push or sway forces forward to the truck steering axle, a much less desirable condition.
Those who use Hensley/ProPride will most probably highly recommend them, those who don't usually recommend a variety of others.
A half-ton truck and a 25' Airstream is a dream to tow using the Hensley/ProPride design, and ProPride is a less expensive and a newer, improved version of the Hensley.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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09-27-2014, 08:42 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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I'm using the Equal-I-Zer hitch. Its been fine, provides plenty of weight distribution. Using 1200 bars. Never had a sway problem, though it could be I've just been lucky.
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09-28-2014, 12:01 AM
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#16
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1 Rivet Member
2012 16' International
Bratenahl
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
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Thank You to everyone! Fred
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums - Fred
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09-28-2014, 03:20 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
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I seriously considered the Hensley/ProPride systems. I believe that there are several good reasons to consider other options.
The Hensley/ProPride systems have had at least some documented failures. These systems are also extrememely heavy compared to their much less expensive counterparts. They may "steal" close to 100 lbs. from your available payload. For many folks who care about staying safe, that's just not weight that they have available. Finally hitching up can be very difficult with these systems. It can take lots of fancy maneuvering to mate the TV to the TT. How much time do you really want to spend at the campground trying to hitch up? I've found that much more than a few minutes can start to bring out the highly-opinionated crowds...
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09-28-2014, 05:08 AM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Classic
2007 25' International CCD
1993 32' Excella
Largo
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 355
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Pro Pride gets my vote. Support from Shawn @ PP is excellent. One tends to support the product that they own. Having had experience with several brands in the past I heartily endorse the PP.
>>ron<<
__________________
2015 GMC Denali 2500, 4x4, Duramax diesel, Topper, Pro Pride 3 P, Sendel 16" with Michelin LTs, one Yellow Labrador Retriever (AS security)
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09-28-2014, 05:12 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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How much money do you have?
If money does not limit your decision, get the ProPride. Hensley and ProPride work on the same principle. ProPride seems like the "new and improved" Hensley. Sean at ProPride used to work for Hensley.
All styles/brands have merit. Reese Dual Cam users love them. I understand why.
I have had an EazLift- a very simple effective design and the least expensive-
I now use an Equal-i-zer. It is a very simple design snd it works well, but if I had $2,300 I would but a ProPride hands down.
The best part about the Equsl-i-zer is the ease of use/hitching and unhitching. Also, Equal-i-zer's customer service is top notch.
I expect customer service at ProPride or Hensley would be good, also.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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09-28-2014, 05:29 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2015 30' International
2009 27' FB International
2007 25' Safari
Currently Looking...
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,564
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I have this: Reese unit, Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
I think if properly set up, ball tilt, tension on the trunnion bars, etc., this hitch provides excellent resistance to the most common problem I have encountered, that is the pulling of the trailer to the road side as one is being passed by a large truck, i.e., semitrailer truck. And, as I like to tow about 62-64 mph, I am passed a lot on the Interstate highways. The condition is exacerbated when a cross wind is present.
With my current adjustments, giving me weights on my axles of about 4400 front, 4300 rear, and a bit over 7000 for the trailer, I rarely have any pull from a semi.
As I said, the correct set up is critical with any hitch, and this may not always be the first set up tried. I have made adjustments in truck stops with trunnion bar tension, length of the sway control contact points, and number of chain links hanging down.
The final result is the weight data above.
__________________
Happy trails and Good Luck
Ms Tommie Fantine Lauer, Greensboro, NC
AIR #31871 KQ3H
www.fantinesvoice.com
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