Hensley and Air Safe

[LeotheLion]

Has anyone here been crazy enough to put a stinger onto an air safe and see what happens?

[BGClassic]

Lol. I have a Propride, tow with a F350. We have a popped a few rivets, including two buck rivets around the front locker door. The factory techs said we do NOT have the beginning of front end separation. That being said, I know the truck is heavily sprung, and over time it's not good for the trailer.

I reached out to Airsafe with the same question, and the Rep said others have asked the same. He said they designed a bracket to accommodate the Propride, and he believes Sean at Propride has done the same. Nothing on the market yet, though. I emailed Propride a few days ago, nothing heard yet.

I like the anti-sway of the PP. The control in wind, traffic, and hard braking is worth it. I do not want to spend the $$ on an Airsafe, with an anti-sway device only to regret it.

[Hans627]

It would be interesting to hear what Sean from ProPride has to say. If you hear anything keep us posted.

Thanks!

[BGClassic]

Will do!

[pteck]

Not a great idea as it'll create more problems than it solves.

A fundamental geometry to optimize for a bumper pull is to keep the ball as close and tight to the rear bumper as possible. This reduces cantilever load and leverage the trailer has on the tow vehicle. Maximizing the tow vehicle wheelbase and control over the trailer to minimize sway and porpoising.

The AirSafe adds several inches to this critical geometry. The PPP does also, but it mitigates sway forces, of which some will be offset by the AirSafe. Both combined will further exascerbate porpoising tendencies.

[Andy543]

Originally Posted by pteck

Not a great idea as it'll create more problems than it solves.

A fundamental geometry to optimize for a bumper pull is to keep the ball as close and tight to the rear bumper as possible. This reduces cantilever load and leverage the trailer has on the tow vehicle. Maximizing the tow vehicle wheelbase and control over the trailer to minimize sway and porpoising.

The AirSafe adds several inches to this critical geometry. The PPP does also, but it mitigates sway forces, of which some will be offset by the AirSafe. Both combined will further exascerbate porpoising tendencies.

I agree with this. Keep the ball as close to the rear axle as possible. Not just to mitigate porpoising, but to prevent oversteer and jackknifing in an emergency situation. This is a fundamental problem with all sway control/WD hitches.

[LeotheLion]

Anyone heard back yet?

[BGClassic]

No reply from Propride yet. Not holding my breath.

[SailorSam205]

Originally Posted by BGClassic

No reply from Propride yet. Not holding my breath.

Have you considered asking this question on Propride's Facebook page?

[BGClassic]

I don't do Facebook. Propride has a great customer service reputation, they should answer their portal messages, or take down the portal.

[sfranklin]

As an Air Hitch owner, I will tell you that the connection between the trailer and truck is much smoother, however, even with the dual cam installed, I passed a truck on the interstate with a hellish cross wind, and once the trailer started to clear the semi, I got just about the worst sway I had ever experienced.

Someone once questioned if the dynamic connection of the Air Hitch negates or diminishes sway control. Up until that day I'd have not even given it a second thought that it didn't.

Mind you have have maybe 40,000 or more miles where I've had zero issues with the Air Safe and sway in a multitude of conditions.

If that connection was available, I'd really like ProPride's engineering chops to answer if the Air Safe does reduce the effectiveness of sway control. That one event taught me to be very careful passing during high cross wind, where I once thought the dual cam as it was before I got the AirSafe- was rock solid sway control, or maybe I was just lucky before I got the Air Safe and dual cam is not really all that great?

[BGClassic]

Originally Posted by sfranklin

As an Air Hitch owner, I will tell you that the connection between the trailer and truck is much smoother, however, even with the dual cam installed, I passed a truck on the interstate with a hellish cross wind, and once the trailer started to clear the semi, I got just about the worst sway I had ever experienced.

Someone once questioned if the dynamic connection of the Air Hitch negates or diminishes sway control. Up until that day I'd have not even given it a second thought that it didn't.

Mind you have have maybe 40,000 or more miles where I've had zero issues with the Air Safe and sway in a multitude of conditions.

If that connection was available, I'd really like ProPride's engineering chops to answer if the Air Safe does reduce the effectiveness of sway control. That one event taught me to be very careful passing during high cross wind, where I once thought the dual cam as it was before I got the AirSafe- was rock solid sway control, or maybe I was just lucky before I got the Air Safe and dual cam is not really all that great?

Interesting. The Propride eliminates (prevents) sway. Never have to even think about it. Really would like to have the best of both worlds, though.

[DaveP]

Following.

[SailorSam205]

Originally Posted by BGClassic

I don't do Facebook. Propride has a great customer service reputation, they should answer their portal messages, or take down the portal.

You expect Propride to buy an Air Safe hitch and test towing a variety of trailers with it so they can tell you how the combination will react under real world conditions? Or just speculate on how the combination will perform and open themselves up to possible legal issues if their advice turns out to be erroneous?
Asking your question on FB has the possibility of finding someone who has the combination and can give you real world experience.
I expect PP to quickly respond to questions/issues about THEIR product as it is designed to be used. I understand why they would not respond to combining their hitch with another company's hitch. In the current legal environment - way to risky. If they were to say anything, I would expect nothing beyond something like: "adding more distance between your trailer and tow vehicle may cause unknown issues and as such is not recommended".
Safe travels.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by SailorSam205

You expect Propride to buy an Air Safe hitch and test towing a variety of trailers with it so they can tell you how the combination will react under real world conditions? Or just speculate on how the combination will perform and open themselves up to possible legal issues if their advice turns out to be erroneous?
Asking your question on FB has the possibility of finding someone who has the combination and can give you real world experience.
I expect PP to quickly respond to questions/issues about THEIR product as it is designed to be used. I understand why they would not respond to combining their hitch with another company's hitch. In the current legal environment - way to risky. If they were to say anything, I would expect nothing beyond something like: "adding more distance between your trailer and tow vehicle may cause unknown issues and as such is not recommended".
Safe travels.

Yep

[walker]

Another alternative for consideration, for those of us in the 1/2 ton and SUV tw camp, there are some excellent vehicles with air suspension, which solves this matter. For the 3/4 ton up camp, only factory air suspension is Ram, very handy for hooking and unhooking. Prob 95% of all road tractors are air ride for a reason, smooth ride and ability to handle heavy loads. Nothing is as fierce as truck brand loyalty, so not trying to sway anyone to a brand, but air suspension is nice…..

[NorrisRM]

Originally Posted by SailorSam205

You expect Propride to buy an Air Safe hitch and test towing a variety of trailers with it so they can tell you how the combination will react under real world conditions? Or just speculate on how the combination will perform and open themselves up to possible legal issues if their advice turns out to be erroneous?
Asking your question on FB has the possibility of finding someone who has the combination and can give you real world experience.
I expect PP to quickly respond to questions/issues about THEIR product as it is designed to be used. I understand why they would not respond to combining their hitch with another company's hitch. In the current legal environment - way to risky. If they were to say anything, I would expect nothing beyond something like: "adding more distance between your trailer and tow vehicle may cause unknown issues and as such is not recommended".
Safe travels.

As a retired lawyer, I have to agree with this post. I don't think you are going to get an answer. Was a little troubling hearing about the fellow with the Air Safe passing a semi in a strong cross wind. Too bad! But looks like solution of one thing (crossing railroad tracks) complicates the sway control.

I think we will have to rely on people on this forum to provide their experience. Brave souls!