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03-23-2008, 08:00 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2007 28' Safari SE
Westlake
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 34
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My Used Hensley
I bought a 4 year old Hensley hitch yesterday. At $1400, I think it was well worth the 400 mile round-trip drive. Now, here's the question....
As you can guess, the paint is flaked and the unit is rusting in a few areas. I understand that Hensley paint is cheap, and the previous owner, although meticulous with greasing and adjusting, didn't get the "2 coats of clearcoat" tip.
So, my question is, for you Hensley owners- do you recommend that I paint it before I install it? If so, what should I do to prep for painting?
Also, is there any good reason to pay for installation (other than laziness)? I believe that installing it myself will help me "become one" with the hitch, helping me to know more about what is keeping me safe back there.
Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
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03-23-2008, 08:04 PM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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If you want to do the install yourself (understandable), try to find somebody knowledgable in HaHa's to "sit in" with you. They can assist if you get stuck.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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03-23-2008, 08:22 PM
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#3
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Stray
1987 32' Excella
1978 28' Argosy 28
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 314
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I agree with your idea to install yourself. You will be way ahead when it comes to adjustments as needed and the "where's and what-for's" of routine maintence. I am not that mechanically minded, but decided to do myself for these very reasons. Really glad I did!! I assume you got a manual with the unit. If not, you can download one. Also lots of great info already on the forum regarding installation tips, etc. If you plan to paint it, I definitely would do so before you install. Gook luck. I have never regretted my purchase of the HaHa.
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Stray
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03-23-2008, 08:25 PM
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#4
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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hi todd
here's a useful thread on this brand of gadget...
re-painting, installs, maintenance and so on, in text, prose, photos.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ide-26279.html
read it a bit, then add your questions, answers and user tricks to the collective.
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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03-24-2008, 10:43 AM
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#5
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ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
Holly
, MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toddnich
So, my question is, for you Hensley owners- do you recommend that I paint it before I install it? If so, what should I do to prep for painting?
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I would definitely recommend you paint BEFORE the install.
Remove as much of the old paint as you can and sand the rust spots. Prime and paint.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
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03-24-2008, 11:13 AM
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#6
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Tom, the Uber Disney Fan
2006 30' Safari
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,693
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Rich Lhur had his repainted about a year ago. He had his painted to match the tongue of the trailer. You might touch base with him for his thoughts on paint types.
__________________
2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821
https://streaminacrossamerica.com/
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03-24-2008, 12:31 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Classic
Hydes
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 713
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Cheap paint is an understatement. My Henley is a year old and is rusting on every part. I took it apart today to sand and prepare it for new paint. Their corporate color is the Orange and it starts fading the day it's exposed to sun. Good hitch but one of the worse paint jobs that I've seen on something that's made to be exposed to weather. The company should be ashamed of themselves for such low quality work. You'll get a better job if you paint it before install.
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03-24-2008, 01:05 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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There are several people on the forums who have painted their Hensley...myself included. Check out the thread 2airishuman references above. I used the Airstream Automotive (Dupont Metallic Gray (#360151-01) spray paint on mine so it matches my AS A-frame (which is actually Pewter Gray). It has been holding up well and looks much better.
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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03-24-2008, 01:44 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CA Streamer
There are several people on the forums who have painted their Hensley...myself included. Check out the thread 2airishuman references above. I used the Airstream Automotive (Dupont Metallic Gray (#360151-01) spray paint on mine so it matches my AS A-frame (which is actually Pewter Gray). It has been holding up well and looks much better.
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Nice job Mongo, err Steve. Did you get the stickers from Hensley?
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Vaughan
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03-24-2008, 02:57 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vswingfield
Nice job Mongo, err Steve. Did you get the stickers from Hensley?
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Vaughn, I masked the stickers off when I painted it. I believe Hensley will provide replacement stickers though...at least everything except the serial number sticker... if you want to remove them before you paint.
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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03-25-2008, 08:42 AM
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#11
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ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
Holly
, MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craftsman
Cheap paint is an understatement. My Henley is a year old and is rusting on every part. I took it apart today to sand and prepare it for new paint. Their corporate color is the Orange and it starts fading the day it's exposed to sun. Good hitch but one of the worse paint jobs that I've seen on something that's made to be exposed to weather. The company should be ashamed of themselves for such low quality work. You'll get a better job if you paint it before install.
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Unfortunately, I heard this from customers for years. I just never could get the buy-in to fix the problem.
I have paid considerable attention to the paint process on the new ProPride 3P hitch because of this very complaint.
I've heard through the hitch vine that the orange company is now supposed to be doing something about their paint job. In fact, I think it was posted in a thread here too. I know that doesn't help you all here but it has been said that now they are doing something about it.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
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03-25-2008, 11:59 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,321
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I purchased new stickers so I can repaint my hitch this spring. I have a question for those who may know. Can the the hitch be disassebled where it hinges? Are these just dust caps that I see and will there be a spindle nut with bearings beneath the dust cap?
I plan on using a good epoxy type of paint with finish coat on top. I typically use Chassis Saver or Eastwood products. These seem to less hassle than the Por 15 products.
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03-25-2008, 02:17 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Classic
Hydes
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 713
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After posting, it made me so mad that I called Hensley. Although aware of the problem, at this time, I didn't get the impression from my heated conversation that they were doing anything about it. After disassembling my hitch there wasn't one piece that didn't have rust on it. Some parts are powder coated and it just flakes off. Other parts are sprayed right over bare untreated , unprimed metal.The brackets that attach to the A-frame were the worse with heavy rust in the spaces created by the welds. Heavy machinery is painted to protect it from the elements. I know that they could do a better job. I was told if they got more calls like mine , maybe management would do something about it. I wish they'd put me in one of their videos.
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03-25-2008, 02:52 PM
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#14
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Tom, the Uber Disney Fan
2006 30' Safari
Orlando
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,693
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Gee Craftsman, would you put on some fake crying and talk about how safe you now feels? (alluding to the little old lady whose husband has obviously passed the safe driving age )
__________________
2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821
https://streaminacrossamerica.com/
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03-25-2008, 03:30 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Classic
Hydes
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 713
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No,but management might feel like crying after they heard what I'd say.
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03-25-2008, 03:41 PM
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#16
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craftsman
Cheap paint is an understatement. My Henley is a year old and is rusting on every part. I took it apart today to sand and prepare it for new paint. Their corporate color is the Orange and it starts fading the day it's exposed to sun. Good hitch but one of the worse paint jobs that I've seen on something that's made to be exposed to weather. The company should be ashamed of themselves for such low quality work. You'll get a better job if you paint it before install.
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This is how I did all the "black" parts before installation last fall.
The "Orange" will get it's two coats of automotive clear before re-installing
this Spring. And yes, it spent the Bflo. Winter inside the trlr. No since
tempting Fate.
As 2air mentioned hop on over to the HAHA user guide too see what others
have done.
Good luck, and start right away studying the owners manual it will really
help with the install.
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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03-25-2008, 06:11 PM
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#17
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ProPride Industries, Inc.
Commercial Member
Holly
, MI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craftsman
After posting, it made me so mad that I called Hensley. Although aware of the problem, at this time, I didn't get the impression from my heated conversation that they were doing anything about it. After disassembling my hitch there wasn't one piece that didn't have rust on it. Some parts are powder coated and it just flakes off. Other parts are sprayed right over bare untreated , unprimed metal.The brackets that attach to the A-frame were the worse with heavy rust in the spaces created by the welds. Heavy machinery is painted to protect it from the elements. I know that they could do a better job. I was told if they got more calls like mine , maybe management would do something about it. I wish they'd put me in one of their videos.
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I'm sorry to say the response you received doesn't surprise me.
It takes two extra steps to prepare the steel and get the powder coat to properly adhere to the steel. Not a lot more added cost. If done correctly you have to run it back through the oven to get the paint off the steel. It really just takes someone paying attention to it.
__________________
ProPride Hitch
"The Most Advanced Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination"
Holly, MI
Tu ne cede malis
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