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turk123 · 07-12-2020, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMFL

I have a Lot Bar for my ProPride. The function of the Lot Bar is to “lock out” the pivot function of the Hitch and allow a service department to two your trailer with a ball.

Fun Fact!

I have the conversion stinger that effectively adds a ball cup so that it can be towed. At JC the guy that comes to get your trailer with the John Deer tractor uses two vice grips to stop the head of my ProPride from moving.

dralanir · 07-21-2020, 11:35 PM

Update on Hensley Hitch issues!
After more than 10 days waiting for the replacement, I found that the hitch they sent is used with serious damage to the structure (see photos). Similar to the damage I have on my original hitch. It looks like this is a common problem with Hensley Hitch. I installed it, The pin to secure the Strut to the hitch was not possible to install as the deformed hole is not inline with the other hole, so I put a curved pin just temporarily as I need to move the airstream ASAP from my driveway. HOA are asking me to remove the trailer.
I reached a conclusion that I made a big and costly mistake. I chose the most expensive hitch in hope, that I will receive the best quality product and best customer service. Unfortunately, in my situation I didn’t get any. And the most disappointing thing is that I don’t feel safe towing 30’ trailer with this hitch.
I am contacting tomorrow Hensley MFG to discuss the matter and I will update the post

PB_NB · 07-22-2020, 12:05 AM

dralanir, this really doesn't make sense that Hensley would not support you by giving you a broken hitch head?

They really need to get this straightened out. The Hensley Hitch is a premium product and is respected by many Airstream owners. A bent part or rusty bolt is one thing but a structural issue is not acceptable especially for the role that the hitch plays in your safety and others sharing the roads with you.

Sorry for the rant but this outcome doesn't make sense.

ROBERT CROSS · 07-22-2020, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dralanir

Update on Hensley Hitch issues!
After more than 10 days waiting for the replacement, I found that the hitch they sent is used with serious damage to the structure (see photos). Similar to the damage I have on my original hitch. It looks like this is a common problem with Hensley Hitch. I installed it, The pin to secure the Strut to the hitch was not possible to install as the deformed hole is not inline with the other hole, so I put a curved pin just temporarily as I need to move the airstream ASAP from my driveway. HOA are asking me to remove the trailer.
I reached a conclusion that I made a big and costly mistake. I chose the most expensive hitch in hope, that I will receive the best quality product and best customer service. Unfortunately, in my situation I didn’t get any. And the most disappointing thing is that I don’t feel safe towing 30’ trailer with this hitch.
I am contacting tomorrow Hensley MFG to discuss the matter and I will update the post

Serious? Chipped paint and a small bend with no elongation of the pin holes.
When MY carelessness damaged our haha 15yrs ago it looked pretty much the same...little more actually. Hensley replaced the bent bar and I got my largest monkey wench straightened and continued camping.

Looking forward to Hensley's response.

Good Luck...

Bob
🇺🇸

Silvr_Bullet · 07-22-2020, 06:26 AM

That’s crazy for Hensley to send this as a replacement I would be asking for a replacement and you shouldn’t have to pay any shipping, this is very concerning that a manufacturer would ship with that quality and obvious damage.

GMFL · 07-22-2020, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

That’s crazy for Hensley to send this as a replacement I would be asking for a replacement and you shouldn’t have to pay any shipping, this is very concerning that a manufacturer would ship with that quality and obvious damage.

I agree!

dznf0g · 07-22-2020, 07:17 AM

I wonder if it was dropped in shipping....fresh flaking, no substantial rust under flaked area....and it is hard to imagine a scenario for that kind of bend while in use. What did the packaging look like?

Jim Flower · 07-22-2020, 07:17 AM

When I purchased my Airstream new in 2012, I also purchased a new Hensley Hitch. It was perfect. I did not have to lift anything, just back into it. It performed as promised for a while. Unfortunately, it kept braking. It was fixed by the dealer 3 times. On the next break the dealer said he was not getting proper support from Hensley and the hitch was replaced with an Eaz-Lift.
I received no reimbursement from the dealer, and paid full price for the new Eaz-Lift. ?????
I do not know about or understand the reasons for this overall failure on the part of the dealer or Hensley but there is a problem.
It would seem that the Hensley problems are continuing and contributing to the success of ProPride.
Now that the Eaz-Lift is gaining weight, I wish I had my Hensley back. Or A ProPride.
Jim

**moosetags** · 07-22-2020, 07:24 AM

That isn't right. I am surprised at Hensley for sending you this replacement. Over the last fifteen years, I have had my Hensley control head replaced twice under warranty. Both of these heads were rebuilt used units, but neither one looked bent or damaged like the one that you received.

By the way, were you ever able to determine what had happened to your original Hensley control head?

Brian

ROBERT CROSS · 07-22-2020, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I wonder if it was dropped in shipping....fresh flaking, no substantial rust under flaked area....and it is hard to imagine a scenario for that kind of bend while in use. What did the packaging look like?

It appears to be a re-con. Decals?
But, I will say again, the original damage was not caused by the hitch but by the owner...AMHIK.
I have not exceeded 60 degrees when backing and have had no problems since.👍
Bob
🇺🇸

dralanir · 07-22-2020, 10:13 PM

Update.
Called Hensley Technical Support in the morning, and they immediately said: we should not have sent a damaged unit. They said will ship a new hitch main unit (the orange one).
When I asked if it is safe to tow with the current damaged hitch, Mike informed me that it is ok to tow for a short distance . My understanding is that because of the damage on the hitch as per previous photos, the hitch is not functioning as it supposed to be and it’s not safe.

cwf · 07-22-2020, 11:35 PM

Mr. Hensley reportedly started ProPride also.. do not know for sure why the Hensley was not able to make his improvements... but the ProPride is the result... not a copy....

I, too have hit some serious angles, even complex turn and rig backing up an unlevel hill.. in mud. Seems a real restriction on the hitch to have only 60 degrees... I could easily hit the trailer with the truck and the PP didn’t fail.

Bra, that damage is catastrophic. IMHO. You are wise to not take on street until fixed.

rmkrum · 07-22-2020, 11:45 PM

ProPride was started by Sean Woodruff. He used to work at Hensley Manufacturing.

Jim Hensley invented the original Pivot Point Projection hitch with a trapezoidal linkage. He holds the patent.

Jim later came up with a highly improved design and first offered it to Hensley Manufacturing. They did not want to buy it.

Jim offered the improved design to Sean Woodruff at ProPride, and the rest is history. Sean provides outstanding customer support, an honest product, and in my opinion, a much improved product over the original.

Damage like that shown earlier in this thread flat won’t occur with the ProPride design, and installing it does not require drilling holes for the strut bars in the A-frame. That was one of several reasons why I went with the ProPride.

dralanir · 07-23-2020, 10:33 PM

It’s really disappointment that so far I spent close to $4k (hitch+ replacement shipping cost) and after 3 weeks I still don’t feel confidence in this product.
Today I found the hitch bar which Hensley sent me was too low. Means that the hitch is less than 6” over the ground.
I emailed Hensley the below photos and they informed that I have to send them some measurements so they can send me a new hitch bar to lift the hitch. Even though when I ordered the Hitch, I gave them all the information of the TV and the Airstream.
Probably I have to pay for shipping the replacement hitch bar.

ROBERT CROSS · 07-24-2020, 04:57 AM

POI...
Level that AS, the stinger drop is much more than needed.
Get a quality set of chains. Open side of hook faces the AS, do not twist to shorten.
Is everything Hensley 100% now?

I notice the the strut bars appear longer than on our Classic...is the tongue that much longer"

Bob
🇺🇸

dznf0g · 07-24-2020, 06:25 AM

Way too much drop with that stinger. Is that a 6"? Definitely need at least 2" less. Take some measurements of front and rear corners o the AS and post. We can help. I believe Hensley has an exchange program.

ROBERT CROSS · 07-24-2020, 07:18 AM

BTW...It is safer to attach the breakaway cable the the tow vehicle rather than the hitch.

Bob
🇺🇸

dralanir · 07-24-2020, 10:46 PM

I took measurements of the frame hight from the ground:
Front corner 11"
Back near the first wheel 15"
Stinger hight 6"
I called Hensley, and they are sending a 2" Stinger.
I am suspecting now that the damage initially happened due to the hitch being so low, pushing the safety chains down and preventing the hitch moving freely which resulted in bending the struts. Just theory, why the struts were subjected to such compression.

dralanir · 07-24-2020, 10:49 PM

I think, the strut bars are the same as yours

Melucy2airs · 07-26-2020, 08:39 PM

I made a purchase of Hensley hitch as well last May, 2020. While in Chicago, I noticed that the ground clearance is way too low and the jack on the passenger side was unwinding as I tighten them. I called Hensley customer service, the technical advisor really helped me out to level the Airstream and prevent my TV from squatting by simply adjusting the jacks to the lowest hash marks from both sides.
Upon return from our 3500 mile road trip, I had my 8” hitch bar replaced with a 6” one and the jack exchanged for a new one. Hensley paid the shipping for the return and the replacements after I made a $337 deposit which was later refunded upon their receipt of the items mentioned. I couldn’t be happier now that I have better ground clearance and the AS very much leveled with 6” hitch bar.
By the way, I am also using a 1400 lbs bars for my 27’ AS International. I did my own installation and followed the detailed instructions to the tee, so far no problems with bending of the struts. I’ll remember now to be extra careful on backing up and avoid more than 60 degree turns.
Thanks for sharing