Tow Hitch for 30’ Classic

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Abenhamo

Interestingly enough, I just asked the AS salesman I am buying the 30' Classic from, and he said not to waste my money on the ProPride. He said the dealership has replaced so many of them over the years and that owners hate how hard it is to unhook when not on level ground. I am so torn!

Be careful. Consider the source. I would put more faith in the vast info base here....both positive and negative and weigh your feelings after reading.

BTW, I found my used Hensley laying in the corner at a dealer.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Abenhamo

Interestingly enough, I just asked the AS salesman I am buying the 30' Classic from, and he said not to waste my money on the ProPride. He said the dealership has replaced so many of them over the years and that owners hate how hard it is to unhook when not on level ground. I am so torn!

I have used the Reese Dual Cam with a 25' AS; worked fine. I then inherited an Equalizer with my second AS; it broke shortly after while backing up, so moved to a Blue Ox Sway Pro the local dealer had and recommended. My next 2 AS's including my currant 28' FC, I have used Blue Ox Sway Pro. Works great if you set up properly and have the right tension on the bars. For my 28', with 1100lbs tongue weight (per scales), I purchased the 1500lb bars; they have 1300# bars now. I would think these would be fine for your 30' Classic should you want the BO, but check with BO once you know actual tongue weight; (not what the Airstream brochure says TW is...its typically wrong.) I have no experience with Hensley or ProPride, but I see the pros and cons from owners...mostly good towing; some issues I read with hitching. I know my BO SP works well, once you understand how to set it up; watch the videos. Get a socket and braker-bar, use your powerjack, and watch the video again, so you understand how to load/unload. The chains in combination with the spring like sway bars, keep the TT in line; we do not have sway from wind nor semi's. Again, can't comment on the more expensive Hensley or ProPride, but I know the BO does a great job keeping my AS in line.

https://assets.rigidhitch.com/Blue_O...,1503,2003.pdf

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Abenhamo

Interestingly enough, I just asked the AS salesman I am buying the 30' Classic from, and he said not to waste my money on the ProPride. He said the dealership has replaced so many of them over the years and that owners hate how hard it is to unhook when not on level ground. I am so torn!

I'll bet if he sold them they would be the best in the galaxy.

I'll not deny they take some getting used too, but if I can lern it anyone can.

Bob aids...

Hitch'n rods for horizontal. "O" rings for vert and jack adjustments for head angle.

POI...it helps to read the manual and install it yourself, it's not all that hard and you will learn a LOT>

Bob
🇺🇸

[s1000pre]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Be careful. Consider the source. I would put more faith in the vast info base here....both positive and negative and weigh your feelings after reading.

BTW, I found my used Hensley laying in the corner at a dealer.

I’m guessing the dealer doesn’t sell Hensley's or PPP

[Texarado]

If you are approaching the tongue limit for your TV, would you go with Equal-I-zer and be right at (maybe slightly above, slightly below) tongue limit, or go with ProPride and likely be a little bit over but have the benefits of the ProPride?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by jmslade

If you are approaching the tongue limit for your TV, would you go with Equal-I-zer and be right at (maybe slightly above, slightly below) tongue limit, or go with ProPride and likely be a little bit over but have the benefits of the ProPride?

I am not a fan of Eq. Had one with 1k bars. Way too stiff and very inflexible.

[dznf0g]

Keep this in mind from PP site:

"The total weight of the 3P hitch is 195 lbs. This is approximately 75-100 lbs more than most conventional hitches so that is the difference you will see in hitch weight."

https://store.propridehitch.com/prop...control-hitch/

My own calculations put the total weight of the PP as "felt by the truck" at 176#
(204# with the addition of Rocktamers).

Your end result should be in that ballpark. I haven't personally done the calculations for an Eq, but Sean's statement rings true with me. I hope that helps a bit.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by BumpsAcre

I’ve got just over a year and 18,000 miles on my 2020 Classic using an equalizer. 1000 pound and adjusted properly. 2500 Chevy gas. Pulls really well. Don’t think I’ve ever had any sway. But I’ve never had a different hitch with weight distribution.

Hi

If you want to understand sway and how to control it, pull off the bars on your hitch. Head out with the trailer running just on the ball. On a nice empty open road get up to about 56.3 MPH or so, past that you likely will get a bit of sway.

When it starts to wobble a bit. You gently press the paddles on the brake controller. Nothing crazy, just a gentle nudge. Trailer stops wobbling. You now know what sway feels like and how to deal with it.

Just when things start to get wobbly is very much a "that depends" sort of thing. Downhill is going to be worse than the flat. Uphill it will be tough to get it to wobble. Wind from the rear increases the tendency to sway. So does running in traffic with a bunch of semi's doing this and that. When I'm just on the ball I try to stay below 50 MHP.

Now you know what to watch for. You also know how to correct the problem. You are a safer and better trained driver.

Again: be careful about "site selection" for doing this. Open / flat / empty road without a lot of wind is the goal. If traffic "pops up", slow down below 50 ....

Bob