Ease of Use

[rwsjms7]

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time making sure I get all the pieces right in my AS purchase: TV, TT, 'convincing' wife...

Now I'm just trying to come to a resolution on the hitch, weight distribution and or sway bar configuration.

It appears that ProPride is a unique and rather expensive hitch relative to other options. The expense is a concern, but doesn't override safety.

What I'm looking for here are responses from people who have used the ProPride and or other hitches for ease of use. The ProPride appears to be a pain to hitch up; maybe just because of lack of familiarity, but a pain nonetheless.

So, for those who have had other hitches and then a ProPride, what is the 'ease' of use and does the hitch perform noticeably better? I've read a number of different things.

Thanks in advance.

[Davidwantz]

Originally Posted by rwsjms7

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time making sure I get all the pieces right in my AS purchase: TV, TT, 'convincing' wife...



Now I'm just trying to come to a resolution on the hitch, weight distribution and or sway bar configuration.



It appears that ProPride is a unique and rather expensive hitch relative to other options. The expense is a concern, but doesn't override safety.



What I'm looking for here are responses from people who have used the ProPride and or other hitches for ease of use. The ProPride appears to be a pain to hitch up; maybe just because of lack of familiarity, but a pain nonetheless.



So, for those who have had other hitches and then a ProPride, what is the 'ease' of use and does the hitch perform noticeably better? I've read a number of different things.



Thanks in advance.

We have a 30' Classic pulled by a GMC 2500. Researched a lot of hitches and got the ProPride. Incredible service and attention to detail. Have pull over the Big Horns in 40mph winds where 5th wheels and MotorCoaches were hunting for the lee of buildings to keep from being blown about. Never swayed or moved us around.

Weight distribution and sway prevention all in one.

Not hard to hook up. Just need to have a handy gauge stick to be sure the stinger and receiver are at same height. I use the breaker bar for the over arm latches.

With the cash we paid for the AS and the truck, the cost of the Pro Pride was easy to justify. No white knuckle drives. Ease if backing. Great service. Safety. That is the whole deal for me.

[Echelon73]

I have used a Blue OX Sway Pro and now use a ProPride. I like the ProPride much better than I did my Sway Pro. The towing experience is much more stable, controlled, and relaxed. At first, I experienced some issues hitching up with my ProPride. There is a wonderful thread on here that gives all types of tips and tricks for hooking up a ProPride/Hensley though. I adopted a few of them and can hook up as quick as most anyone else I see in campgrounds now. Hooking up is not a concern of mine at all now. Even if I struggled hooking up occasionally, I rather have trouble sitting still in the campground than at 65mph in heavy traffic. Disclaimer: This is just my opinion and observation, based on my own personal experience.

[Overloaded]

Originally Posted by Echelon73

I have used a Blue OX Sway Pro and now use a ProPride. I like the ProPride much better than I did my Sway Pro. The towing experience is much more stable, controlled, and relaxed. At first, I experienced some issues hitching up with my ProPride. There is a wonderful thread on here that gives all types of tips and tricks for hooking up a ProPride/Hensley though. I adopted a few of them and can hook up as quick as most anyone else I see in campgrounds now. Hooking up is not a concern of mine at all now. Even if I struggled hooking up occasionally, I rather have trouble sitting still in the campground than at 65mph in heavy traffic. Disclaimer: This is just my opinion and observation, based on my own personal experience.

X2 to this entire post. The only difference is that I have the Hensley. If I have two people I can hookup as fast or faster than an equalizer. By myself a bit more challenging I just g.o.a.l. a lot.
I look at it as I need to be pretty straight on when I get within 2' of stinger box. Big adjustments are a lot harder to make at less than 2'. I also make Steering adjustments while truck is stopped. With two people that method works so much better.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by rwsjms7

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time making sure I get all the pieces right in my AS purchase . . .
. . .

May I suggest that you give everyone a general idea of what Airstream length and model you are considering, as well as the tow vehicle? Good advice on a hitch will vary according to your needs.

No experience with ProPride here, but it would be overkill for some of the smaller trailers like our FC20 IMO.

Have a good weekend.

Peter

PS -- From your address in NJ, may we assume that you are going to Colonial for the AS? I would rely on their advice for a hitch, as they can also best assess your skill level in using the entire rig.

[AirstreamJim]

We have the ProPride on our 25FB, towing with a 2016 RAM 2500. The truck has a backup camera and for me hitching up is very easy. I've often wondered why some say the ProPride is hard to hitch. I had an Equal-I-zer before the ProPride and found it to be no easier - and once, a lot more difficult - than the ProPride.

Jim

[rmkrum]

Biggest difficulty I had with my ProPride was lifting the head out of the shipping box onto the floor jack I used to install it on the AS. From there, it's been easy-peasy.

Love the fact that the stinger is the only thing I have to take off the truck when we are fine traveling. Used to hate pulling the WD bars on the Husky brand setup. This rig stays on the AS.

[ijoe13]

The camera work is a bit shaky, but the information in this video series is pretty good. It should give you a good idea of how the ProPride works. https://youtu.be/PkyPoVpTRvM

[kendrick.l.j]

I have the Hensley for a 2017 Classic. Very easy to do alone. From stinger on the ground to hooked up and ready takes 2 minutes. I do use my rear backup camera which is super nice to have especially since I am doing this by myself.
Best of luck and have fun.

[DaveMc]

We've gone about 5500 miles in a little over a month this summer with a Pro Pride. We had the luxury of figuring it out over a few weeks and it soon became second nature. Had a couple weird angles to contend with, but I'm happiest when I have a challenge. I have a 30' Safari and a GMC 2500. Way under all weight limits (even down to lbs on each tire) so that certainly improves the experience. I'd get another one without question.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by ijoe13

The camera work is a bit shaky,

That's an understatement

but the information in this video series is pretty good. It should give you a good idea of how the ProPride works. https://youtu.be/PkyPoVpTRvM

Except he never shows how easy it is to back the hitch into the receiver.
Maybe because it's not.

[Al and Missy]

To avoid being redundant and reposting, please see:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ml#post1992085

Some of the comments are not relative to your question, but the comparison may be.

Al

[rmkrum]

My 2008 Tacoma did not have a backup camera. I simply aligned the camper cap window handle with the center line of the AS and eased back. For a straight shot, it was easy. With the 2012 it has a camera, and a bit of white paint on the appropriate hitch socket parts and top of stinger makes short work of it. Even drop and reposition truck in tight quarters is quicker than fighting the angle the AS gets into getting out of the tight spot.

[rwsjms7]

You are right, I should have mentioned the rig. I'm looking at a FC 27 FBQ; will be towing with a F150 full tow haul package, 3.73, 157 wb, big V8 gas.