Visit our Popular Forums

2airishuman · 04-15-2007, 09:46 PM

hi breakaway and welcome to the our user group!

excellent photo...

and thanks for sharing the best approach,

to greasing the ball.

now since we can't hear your popping noise...

how about describing it in more detail...

when does it happen, under what conditions, how long and so on....

going slow/fast,
straight/turns,
forward/backward,
road conditions,
accelerating/braking

or other situations?

more info may help us sort this out...

cheers
2air'

and gail/hapitauk...
glad we could help you and
have a great trip.
we all gain from the photos and tips and challenges presented, so...

pass on to others using a hensley,
our efforts here in the air forums...
and
the ultimate haha users guide

Mike Lewis · 04-15-2007, 10:36 PM

I saw a trailer with a Hensley where the owner had put a Zerk fitting in the top of the trailer hitch to grease the ball. It takes such a small hole to drill and install a fitting I can't believe it would weaken it ,still I haven't got up the nerve to try it on mine.-----pieman

2airishuman · 04-15-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Zerk fitting in the top of the trailer hitch to grease the ball-----pieman

hi pieman...

i considered that 4 a time as well...

my concern isn't the leaking but

the risk of hitting/bending/breaking the zerk...

with a flag pole or wrench or cordless drill or martini glass

which is 100% likely for me.

and really since there is so little movement at the ball,

the grease is more of an anticorrosive coating or space filler, than a lubricant...

mine was regreased at 18month/30,000 miles...

but didn't really need it.

cheers
2air'

Mike Lewis · 04-15-2007, 10:57 PM

2air----you're exactly right ----with the exception of a little rocking it moves very little---what's wrong with me????---I knew that !!! ---Thought I would get througt the day without making a mistake!!!---oh well I'll try again tomorrow------------pieman

breakaway · 04-16-2007, 06:33 PM

Hi 2AIR,
The noise happens at slow speed when turning a corner, both left and right, and sometimes when first starting out.
I noticed that he “Frame Bracket” requires grease where the “Jack Assembly” is connected so I will be taking care of that today.
I have also read where some owners have lubricated the “Hitch Bar”, but I truly want to avoid that simply due to the “MESS” factor.

So again I was wondering if anyone else is hearing things? Or is it just me…. I think I hear my Airstream calling me now…

**azflycaster** · 04-16-2007, 06:40 PM

When I was watching Silverback hitchup at the Tucson Rally I noticed that he has a fitting on his.....

2airishuman · 04-16-2007, 07:09 PM

hi john...

how old is your haha?

as always photos may help.

my concerns would be...

1. check the shear bolts; torque 2 spec.
2. check the jacks at the hex attachment; tighten and lube.
3. check the spring bars at the jack extensions; the bolts and little U bracket.
4. check the spring bars at the bushing/grease zerks; are they fully up, is there much play?
5. check the strut assemblies and tighten to 'firm'
6. check the strut assemblies at the pins/main haha body; are the holes worn or stretched.
7. check all the retentiion pins for wear...
and of course...
8. check the reciever for play or wear; the haha puts a lot of stress on the tv receivers

noise isn't a regular feature of the haha that i've found...

like, for example the haha 'bump' associated with trailer brake delay...

we have one report in the thread of what can happen IF the shear bolts back out or break...

and do i recall he heard or felt something prior?

this post http://www.airforums.com/forums/360236-post186.html

we also know play in the struts makes noise/problems...

this post http://www.airforums.com/forums/323997-post143.html

and general wear must be an issue too.

anyone worn OUT their haha?

i'm sure the bushing wears and the spring bars can shift/move at the zerks...

this post http://www.airforums.com/forums/302976-post93.html

so john, those are my thoughts...

others?

2air'

hi azfly' thanks for the photo addition for reference...

that is exactly where i drop the martini glass!

pmclemore · 04-16-2007, 08:17 PM

Jeez.

2airishuman · 04-16-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Jeez.

is that a good jeez or a bad jeez?

cheers
2air'

hapitauk · 04-18-2007, 12:02 AM

When you are stopped for the night and don't unhitch should you loosen the spring bars--hoping to get pull throughs on our trip cross country so we don't have to unhitch. I am hoping that this is the end of my questions--at least until after our trip

Gail

2airishuman · 04-18-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hapitauk

When you are stopped for the night and don't unhitch should you loosen the spring bars-Gail

hi gail...

personal choice on this.

i do loosen mine.

1. lower the tongue jack to relieve tension.
2. loosen bars evenly (watch the receiver twist)
3. now adjust tongue jack for some levelness, keeping in mind the tv rear end rise...
4. block a wheel on unit ans set the tv brake...

have a safe and fun trip!

2air'

DPeakMD · 04-18-2007, 06:33 AM

John, I think you're on the right track. I had popping noises from mine on tight turns and greasing exactly where you indicated solved the problem (b/t the jacks and the frame brackets).

Gail, I'm one who usually doesn't loosen the jacks at an overnight pull through. A lot of those sites are designed so the front of the trailer is low. I just crank up the jack and watch it doesn't lift up the back of the tow vehicle too far. That should take pressure off the spring bars I think. Hope you have a great time on your cross country trip!

pmclemore · 04-18-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

is that a good jeez or a bad jeez?

cheers
2air'

Sorry - didn't mean to say that out loud. It's just that whenever I think that I should save my pennies for a haha, I read some more of these helpful hints and think maybe I'm not up to the challenge.

Pat

2airishuman · 04-18-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

and think maybe I'm not up to the challenge.Pat

true true...

and an honest philosopher once closed...

"a man's got to know his limitations."

cheers
2air'

of course he also said...

"do i feel lucky?"

pmclemore · 04-18-2007, 02:23 PM

lucky is what I'm working on now, by the way. Gonna roll 'dem bones a little tonight.

hapitauk · 04-20-2007, 07:27 PM

Just want to report that all the aggravation we went through with the Hensley Hitch has been worth it--at least so far--and it was a lot of work. At one point my husband said that when we bought the motor home we just got in it and drove it--didn't have to go through all the work that the Hensley entailed. And we do miss the room we had in the Winnebago BUT I will gladly give up the room for the ease we are now having towing. We have put in 3 days (420 miles today) and two of them in very heavy winds and did not feel a thing except the occasional push on the Suburban from an extra strong gust of wind. I drove 3 hours yesterday and again today in the winds and it was like nothing was behind me and I would not drive the motor home. So we are very pleased so far and are finding the trip across country much easier than it has been in the past. Thanks so much to everyone for all the help you gave us.

Gail

Mike Lewis · 04-20-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Sorry - didn't mean to say that out loud. It's just that whenever I think that I should save my pennies for a haha, I read some more of these helpful hints and think maybe I'm not up to the challenge.

Pat

Pat------
I must admit I had some of the same feeling until I saw one in person. My thought's then and still are, "Hey what's the big deal?". Quit frankly this is a straight up piece of cake !!!.. Everyone here that has had problems seem to struggle with the same thing, that being able to look at the geometery of this thing and understand what happens as different components move. I worked as an auto mechanic 40 years,mostly with steering and suspention systems so maybe this come a little easier for me than some. My point "don't be afraid of it". ----pieman

breakaway · 04-22-2007, 07:46 PM

2AIR and all HAHA believers,
The noise has stopped now that both the Hitch Ball and Frame Brackets have been greased. [See Picture]

The Hensley was new in the spring of 2005. It has been used on about 20 trips and 10,000 miles. The noise started this spring but now is gone. I just towed over 1200 miles and the noise issue is cured!!
I checked all the 2AIR suggestions and everything else seems fine.
My only Hensley disappointment is the paint failure. It seems to be a common problem.

2airishuman · 04-22-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breakaway

[COLOR=black]]The noise has stopped now that both the Hitch Ball and Frame Brackets have been greased.
I just towed over 1200 miles and the noise issue is cured!![/SIZE]

thanks for the update john...

hope the inspection didn't take long,
and a good going over is a healthy habit!

now that 2 users (thanks dallas) have reported popping noises cured by lubing the frame brackets...

well that IS a good user tip!

and keeping a fat glob of grease on the ball/in the cup may help too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hapitauk

Just want to report that all the aggravation we went through with the Hensley Hitch has been worth it...
I drove 3 hours yesterday and again today in the winds and it was like nothing was behind me and I would not drive the motor home. Gail

and gail...

good to read that your efforts paid off...
relaxed towing is a great reward.

looks like we are back in happy haha land!

cheers
2air'

mmfly4fun · 05-09-2007, 10:48 AM

Hello All,
Inspired by the previous postings of repainted Hensley Hitches, I decided to do the same with my used Hensley, which I acquired to use with my new to me 2005 30' Classic. I have yet to tow with it...maiden voyage begins this weekend...wish me luck!!!

OK, now on to the photos...remember, I am NOT a professional painter.

Michael