Hensley vs. ProPride

[AirReg]

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to decide between the Hensley and ProPride Hitches. ProPride claims to have enhanced the original design but its not clear there is a benefit over the Hensley. I will be using it on a 2014 25' Flying Cloud.

Thanks

[dznf0g]

I have a Hensley I bought used. If I were buying new, I'd go PP. Here's why:

1) stinger is tilt and height adjustable for various TVs. (I did buy an adjustable PP "stinger for Hensley" from Sean, but they are now out of stock)

2) The yoke design takes up less real estate on the tongue if you ever want to mount other things...like a bike rack. I had to modify the strut brackets on my Hensley in order to fit an Arvika bike rack.

3) The PP is lighter

4) The PP is less expensive.

[dkottum]

We have a ProPride because of the features Rich mentioned and the personal customer service from the owner. Sean (the owner) suggested 1400# w.d. bars to ensure weight transfer of our 2012 25' FC to our 2012 Ram 1500. Good move, it transfers the weight nicely and rides very smoothly with good connection flexibility.

I think Hensley or ProPride would perform exactly the same when towing.

[m.hony]

The benefit I see, in addition to the updated design and black paint instead of orange, is that you do not have to drill holes in your a-frame.

[moosetags]

I am also a Hensley owner. I bought it new and have towed with it for well over 100,000 miles. It has worked flawlessly. This unit is now on its second Airstream. I don't have any complaints other that the durability of the finishes.

That being said, if I were buying a new hitch system today, I would probably go with the PorPride for the reasons already stated.

I have even considered selling my Hensley and getting a new ProPride. If Sean took trade-ins, I just might tow Lucy to Michigan and treat her to a new hitch.

Brian

[Ridgerunner3]

I went through the same decision process you are going through. i bought the Propride at the end of my research and am sure I went the correct way. Reasons listed by the others in this thread is why I went with the Propride. I spoke to Sean at Propride and Terry at Hensley also.

[AirReg]

Many thanks for all the responses on ProPride vs. Hensley. I was leaning toward ProPride and your comments pushed me well over the edge!

[extiger]

I am a very happy Pro Pride owner. Works well and great customer service.

[Steve & Mary]

I am also thinking of purchasing a Pro Pride P3. Do they sell direct or should I be shopping for a dealer? I plan to install myself. Thanks

[dbj216]

I purchased my ProPride directly from the factory. Their website makes it easy. I comes in 4 neatly packed boxes, and with good installation instructions. I installed the hitch myself on my 34 footer without concerns. I did use my floor jack to lift the hitch head into the ball coupler. My 86 Airstream pulls true without a wiggle. I was in some nasty cross winds in eastern Colorado and was thankful the ProPride design locked the trailer solid behind my truck. A good back up camera makes hitching up much easier.

David

[Steve & Mary]

Thanks David. I'll give them a call........... Steve

[ghaynes755]

I think everything is factory direct. There are dealers, like Colonial or AirstreamNW, that do installs per my emails with Shawn.

[switz]

I installed a new Hensley Arrow on our first Airstream in October of 2012. When we decided to upgrade to a longer and heavier trailer, I decided to upgrade to the newest version of Jim Hensley's design as well: the ProPride.

[JFScheck]

ProPride - updated version of the Hensley Arrow and no one can beat ProPride's support, NOBODY! - Sean is the Best!!!

[TSchleff]

Back in 2009 I purchased a Hensley and it has worked quite well. No issues. I can't comment on the customer support because I have never had a reason to call. Everything works just like the day I bought it.

Both hitches use the same technology, which is really the most important thing and it works very well. I truly believe it makes towing easier and safer.

[switz]

I started my ProPride install on Wednesday afternoon. I tend to read each step several time, so was not making fast progress.

When I got to the measurements for the location of the spring bar towers, I found that the 26" location would have the inside forward corner of the stand base plate covering the battery box lid. The ½" rebar edge and corner on the forward outside corner would be under or rubbing the propane tank. I also discovered that the "u-channel" under the stand base was about ⅜" wider than the width of the Airstream frame. The supplied 3.5" positioning bolt was too long for the space available.

I called Sean Thursday after sending him photos of my situation. He concurred that I could trim the corners as necessary (used a portable band saw and a grinder) and he would send me a pair of filler plates for the gap the put a locator hole for the positioning bolt to hold the plates in place.

Being on the Eastern outskirts of Phoenix means next day air is late afternoon Friday. I had done the necessary surgery and primed and painted the raw steel by the time the plates arrived. One side was an easy slip fit, the other needed a little coercion with a 2x4 and a hammer. I was able to get the two towers positioned and installed and the two spring bars attached before calling it a day. They were installed 26 ⅝" from the center of the ball.

Saturday afternoon, I was able to install the yoke and finish up the installation.

I used a lift table cart to position the major head part to put it on the stinger as I lack the strength to both lift and position that piece. Otherwise, this mature 69 year old was able to do the job alone.

The other challenge was getting two bolts torqued to 250 ft pounds. I had acquired a ¾" drive torque wrench from Harbor Freight and that did the trick. In fact it was overkill. The slightly shorter ½" drive 250 pound rated torque wrench I purchased from Airstream would have done the job.

Sean was quick to respond to my request for help. Great customer service.

I can readily see the design improvements between my Hensley Arrow (first generation) I installed on our 25FB International Serenity and the ProPride I installed on our Classic model 30 (second generation).

I will be selling my Hensley in the near future.

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by switz

.....and the ProPride I installed on our Classic model 30 (second generation).

Glad to hear you got your hands on your new Classic. Would love to see some pics!

My Classic is on its way out...I pulled the PP hitch off of it and am letting it go with a Hensley (good riddance...for the hitch, that is). Although I am really fond of the Classic (and all the improvements I made on it), I've found another AS that I want worse and I don't have room for three, so if everything works out, I will be rigging up the ProPride for a different (heavier) application by the middle of this month.



PS....It's a good thing that you are a young 69 year old. Though I have known you 4-5 years, I never would have guessed you've seen that many birthdays and that's the truth. I just figured you retired at an early age after riding the tech bubble. As busy as you stay and as many things as your are involved in, I guess you don't have time to show your age. I'll be 39 in August. Time flies when you are having fun.

Z

[m.hony]

What is the "another Airstream I want worse"?
Looking forward to pics of it.
The trailer you are getting rid of resembles my trailer.
I have decided to hold out for a ProPride hitch because there is no drilling into the a-frame.
I really like the looks of those rock tamers.

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by m.hony

What is the "another Airstream I want worse"?

M.Hony,

I can't tell you what it is just yet for fear it will jinx the deal. I already have fingers crossed and occasionally find myself holding my breath. Sometimes its not about money but more about the opportunity. It is looking good at this point, however. I'm not superstitious but I'm pulling out all the stops on this one until I have it in my hands and which time I will proudly post pictures. I've got a camera and am not afraid to use it!

IMO, holding out for the PP is the right way to go. When people tell you "they both do the same thing", you can say the same thing about those $2 sun-glasses you see at the gas station and pair of Ray-Bans. Putting the HA back on the Classic and having to fool with those rinky-dink spring-loaded dog points that hold the WD bars in the hitch head was just another good reminder to me that I did the right thing going with the PP. I didn't/don't consider myself a fool for ever owning or using a HA but I would if I bought another especially at a higher price...but that's just me. There is something to be said for knowing the complete history of your hitch that you only get from buying it new.

Z

[m.hony]

10-4.
Let us all know after the deed is done...
I agree that the ProPride is a better, updated version of the Hensley Arrow.
From now until I get my ProPride I am sticking with my Equal-i-zer.
Sold the EazLift.
One thing at a time, one day at a time...
I still can get a used ProPride from a guy in Texas- shipping is gonna be killer, but the price is right.