Hensley hitch lubrication

[Brian Hobin]

Helo, we are fiairley new to rving. We have a 94 Airstream taht we park in our ONtario Canada driveway. We plan on heading South in mid March. I noticed that the nuts on top of the hitch equalizers ( I am not sure of the proper name) are a bit rusty with the melting snow. Could anyone advise as to whether I should lubricate those vertical screw tubes (equalizers?).
regards
Brian

[BigAl]

Hi Brian,
I've got a 94 30' with a Hensley as well. And I live in Ontario. Go figure.
I have put some oil in the hole on the side of the screw jacks. Did that three years ago. Someone from Hensley warned me that if it is lubricated too well, they can unscrew by themselves when driving. This hasn't happened to me yet.
Notice I said three years.
What I have done is hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle, unlatch the ball, and then lower the trailer by lowering the jack so that I could put a large dollop of grease on the ball. It is easy to forget that there is still some movement at that connection.
Also grease all the strut mounts.
And most important, always grease the Zerks. You can't overdo this.
Al
PS my hitch is really rusty but is such heavy duty construction that it doesn't worry me too much. Just doesn't look very nice.
I guess I'm lazy. No, too busy camping.
Al

[94Tri]

Originally Posted by BigAl

Hi Brian,
I've got a 94 30' with a Hensley as well. And I live in Ontario. Go figure.
I have put some oil in the hole on the side of the screw jacks. Did that three years ago. Someone from Hensley warned me that if it is lubricated too well, they can unscrew by themselves when driving. This hasn't happened to me yet.
Notice I said three years.
What I have done is hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle, unlatch the ball, and then lower the trailer by lowering the jack so that I could put a large dollop of grease on the ball. It is easy to forget that there is still some movement at that connection.
Also grease all the strut mounts.
And most important, always grease the Zerks. You can't overdo this.
Al
PS my hitch is really rusty but is such heavy duty construction that it doesn't worry me too much. Just doesn't look very nice.
I guess I'm lazy. No, too busy camping.
Al

I agree with AL. The main thing on the equalizers is to make sure they are working freely. If so, I would not overdo it on the lube, but as he said keep an eye on the grease at all other points. I just pulled the bearing caps off mine a couple of weeks ago and added a little extra grease(not that they really needed it). Whatever paint Hensley used does not hold up well and makes they hitches look rough, but they seem really durable.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Iv'e found that VERY LITTLE graphite lube works well. Does not attract dirt, just don't over do it. Also check the lock collar allen head screw inside the little hole at the top of both jacks, if they loosen up the jack won't work. Rubber valve stem cap stuck in the hole makes a good seal. Make sure the allen sit's in the indentation in the jack screw.

I also live in an area that's hard on equipment left outside 24/7/365. I used auto clear coat spray on it when new and remove it every Fall. What's an extra 45min during Spring get-ready? It also gives me the chance to ck everything/clean & lube. Make sure all is still adjusted correctly. No big deal really.

[Brian Hobin]

Hello,
I can confuse myself quite ealily. When you say "--hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle, unlatch the ball, and then lower the trailer by lowering the jack so that I could put a large dollop of grease on the ball." I am not sure what you mean by the ball. We insert the square steel bar into the van and secure it and then we back the bar into the Henlsey receiver. Should I lubricate the bar and if so with grease?
Regards
Brian

Originally Posted by BigAl

Hi Brian,
I've got a 94 30' with a Hensley as well. And I live in Ontario. Go figure.
I have put some oil in the hole on the side of the screw jacks. Did that three years ago. Someone from Hensley warned me that if it is lubricated too well, they can unscrew by themselves when driving. This hasn't happened to me yet.
Notice I said three years.
What I have done is hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle, unlatch the ball, and then lower the trailer by lowering the jack so that I could put a large dollop of grease on the ball. It is easy to forget that there is still some movement at that connection.
Also grease all the strut mounts.
And most important, always grease the Zerks. You can't overdo this.
Al
PS my hitch is really rusty but is such heavy duty construction that it doesn't worry me too much. Just doesn't look very nice.
I guess I'm lazy. No, too busy camping.
Al

[Brian Hobin]

May I ask where are these bearing caps are? I din't lnow that the Hensley had bearings--honest.
Regards
Brian

.

Originally Posted by 94Tri

I agree with AL. The main thing on the equalizers is to make sure they are working freely. If so, I would not overdo it on the lube, but as he said keep an eye on the grease at all other points. I just pulled the bearing caps off mine a couple of weeks ago and added a little extra grease(not that they really needed it). Whatever paint Hensley used does not hold up well and makes they hitches look rough, but they seem really durable.

[Brian Hobin]

Hi Robert, may I ask what is clear coat? When you say that you remove it in the fall, are you gettig ready to go South?

Regards
Brian

[87MH]

Originally Posted by Brian Hobin

May I ask where are these bearing caps are? I din't lnow that the Hensley had bearings--honest.

A pictorial can be found in this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...=hensley+arrow

Posts # 659 and 712.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Brian Hobin

Hi Robert, may I ask what is clear coat? When you say that you remove it in the fall, are you gettig ready to go South?

Regards
Brian

Brian,
Before I installed the Arrow I took it in in to work,(Chev store) and had the body shop spray several coats of automotive clear-coat paint. The same that is on all the late model cars. The same could be done with a spray can of clear Rustoleum. I use the vinyl cover that Hensley sells to protect it during the camping season.

I take the Arrow and tires off for Winter storage, and cover the tanks. (we're in Buffalo afterall)

No I'm not a snowbird, we stay here thru the snow season.

[BigAl]

Brian,
Those two shiny half moons in the picture on the right of the post above cover two tapered roller bearings(just like wheel bearings). Not a bad idea to pop the covers off and check if they are ok. (ie did water get in there?).
Also in the same photo above you can see that the Hensley Hitch does actually have a traditional ball that mounts into the front receiver of the trailer A frame. That is the ball connection that should be greased. After you have hooked up the trailer the way you usually do then you take out the lock or clevis and open the latch on the trailer.
Now if you extend the jack so that it raises the front of the trailer you should see the ball exposed so that you can grease it.
Al
In my previous post I believe I said lower the trailer. You should raise it.
You say you are going south in March. Any chance you can stop in at the Dogwoods and Bluegrass Rally in Kentucky?
Al

[94Tri]

Originally Posted by BigAl

Brian,
Those two shiny half moons in the picture on the right of the post above cover two tapered roller bearings(just like wheel bearings). Not a bad idea to pop the covers off and check if they are ok. (ie did water get in there?).
Also in the same photo above you can see that the Hensley Hitch does actually have a traditional ball that mounts into the front receiver of the trailer A frame. That is the ball connection that should be greased. After you have hooked up the trailer the way you usually do then you take out the lock or clevis and open the latch on the trailer.
Now if you extend the jack so that it raises the front of the trailer you should see the ball exposed so that you can grease it.
Al
In my previous post I believe I said lower the trailer. You should raise it.
You say you are going south in March. Any chance you can stop in at the Dogwoods and Bluegrass Rally in Kentucky?
Al

Couldn't have said better myself.

[Brian Hobin]

Thanks Al for the pictures and the information. I am beginning to understand---slowly
Regards
Brian