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Old 08-29-2007, 07:11 PM   #281
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Sky, you are welcome. I'm happy to share the knowledge as other owners have done before. This thread is really helpful.

I don't know exact mileage but from going back through my blog I see that the hitch was installed March 7, 2006. The U-brackets were original equipment. The truck has accumulated about 30,000 miles since then, and so I figure the hitch has gotten about 20-22k miles.

Keep in mind that we are full-timers. We will probably replace the U-brackets annually. For less frequent travelers, I'd suggest annual inspection for cracks or stretching of the holes.

By the way, I forgot to mention that during today's service I found one zerk with the nub mostly chewed off, so I replaced that too. I kept the worn zerk as an emergency spare but I plan to buy another new pair ASAP. I seem to have to replace the zerks every 10,000 miles or so, regardless of greasing, so I consider them to be another annual service item.
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Old 08-30-2007, 11:31 AM   #282
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By the way, I forgot to mention that during today's service I found one zerk with the nub mostly chewed off, so I replaced that too. I kept the worn zerk as an emergency spare but I plan to buy another new pair ASAP. I seem to have to replace the zerks every 10,000 miles or so, regardless of greasing, so I consider them to be another annual service item.[/quote]

Rich, I had the same problem last time I serviced my HAHA.(both zerks were worn down to nubs) I called Hensley and found out that I had seated the zerks too deep.(the outside threaded part of the zerk was rubbing the bar) Now I just seat the zerks till they hold the bar. I twist out the bar and insert my gloved finger up to the zerk and make sure that only the spring loaded nub is sticking out. This seems to be working so far.
Ps thanks for all the photos! I will check my brackets tonight!

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Old 09-18-2007, 08:34 PM   #283
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Thumbs up Powder Coating

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAl
Hi Joe,
Painting can't be a priority for you! Seems to me you had the paint way back in June at the Morraine View rally. I was hoping to see a silver Hensley by now. Great posts by the way. I was going to get those fluorescent rods but figured looking at them would blind me so I just use the "force" and seem to nail it the first time every time.
Al

HAS ANYONE TRIED POWDER COATING.
Just ordered yesterday, and if Mother Nature follows her pattern I probably wont install til next season so I'll have some time to read this thread from cover to cover. Already wrapped my head around some very good ideas, which I'm sure will become a lot clearer when the Arrow lands.
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Old 09-19-2007, 03:06 AM   #284
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Forgot To Ask

NOW THIS MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN ASKED, BUT HAS ANY ONE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE TV CONNECTIONS, ELEC, S.CHAINS AND BREAK-AWAY?
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Old 09-19-2007, 09:19 AM   #285
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hi robert and welcome to haha land.

powder-coating?

not seen anyone do this. it's a great idea.

the hitch would need to be stripped to bare metal and dipped or spray/baked.

some assume the orginal finish is a p/c, it isn't.

i considered line-x or rhino or other durable top layers but the a/s paint works and is easy to touch up.



extension?

i have extended the safety chains about 6-8 links; it was necessary.

a/s may have started using longer chains in the last 2 years to solve this issue.

the breakaway and 7 pin on my unit are almost tooo long.

in many of the pix the 'connectors' are all visible and most look adequate.

good luck, get yer haha installed and take photos!

cheers
2air'
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Old 09-22-2007, 04:08 PM   #286
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Thumbs up Install Question???

Got shipping conformation yesterday!!! Hoo rah!!

Spent a couple hours getting my Resse off the "Frantic Banana"

Cleaned some rust from under the stainless covers, used some spray-on bedliner looks pretty good.

Is there any reason not to re-install the stainless A-frame covers?, do they interfere with the haha brackets?, think I did see them in one of 2airs posts.

Thanks gang.........Bob
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Old 09-22-2007, 06:36 PM   #287
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hi robert

funny thing about the stainless covers...

yes they are on my rig.

i learned this summer at the a/s factory that those covers are only intended 4 use during shipping/transport to the dealers...

the factory guys said we should NOT leave them on with ANY of the hitches...

because of the inevitable rust that forms under them.

according to the factory guy LOTS of us use them regardless and they laugh about it....

specifically with the haha they aren't a great idea either.

the U brackets that snug the struts MIGHT slip with the stainless sleeves in place.

and when the U brackets are tightened to the specified torque...

the stainless sleeves get bent/dimpled anyway.

so why did i put the sleeves back on?

guess i just like shinny!

cheers
2air'
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Old 09-22-2007, 06:39 PM   #288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman
hi robert

funny thing about the stainless covers...

yes they are on my rig.

i learned this summer at the a/s factory that those covers are only intended 4 use during shipping/transport to the dealers...

the factory guys said we should NOT leave them on with ANY of the hitches...

because of the inevitable rust that forms under them.

according to the factory guy LOTS of us use them regardless and they laugh about it....

specifically with the haha they aren't a great idea either.

the U brackets that snug the struts MIGHT slip with the stainless sleeves in place.

and when the U brackets are tightened to the specified torque...

the stainless sleeves get bent/dimpled anyway.

so why did i put the sleeves back on?

guess i just like shinny!

cheers
2air'
You lost me on the A frame covers. Not sure I've ever seen these. Can you post a picture?
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Old 09-22-2007, 06:56 PM   #289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CA Streamer
You lost me on the A frame covers. Not sure I've ever seen these. Can you post a picture?
steve...

look at the pic in post 33...

see the A frame change from grey to stainless under the strut bracket....

everyone else that posted pix of this area... 'brow, tin diesel, jim clark and so on...

has frame only (which is correct) under the brackets....

cheers
2air'
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Old 09-22-2007, 07:15 PM   #290
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Thanks 2 Air. I get it now. You like a shiny A! I'll check it out at Bev. Cheers!
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Old 09-23-2007, 04:12 AM   #291
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman
hi robert

funny thing about the stainless covers...

yes they are on my rig.

i learned this summer at the a/s factory that those covers are only intended 4 use during shipping/transport to the dealers...

the factory guys said we should NOT leave them on with ANY of the hitches...

because of the inevitable rust that forms under them.

according to the factory guy LOTS of us use them regardless and they laugh about it....



guess i just like shinny!

cheers
2air'

Only for transport? Then why do all the sales brochure's make such a big deal about it, a lot cheaper to just wrap the A-frame in plastic!!

But I like shinny too, so if they haven't caused a problem, they go back on!!
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Old 09-23-2007, 06:04 AM   #292
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
Only for transport? Then why do all the sales brochure's make such a big deal about it, a lot cheaper to just wrap the A-frame in plastic!!

But I like shinny too, so if they haven't caused a problem, they go back on!!
My unit did not have the SS covers and the frame was marked from the transport WD hitch. Plastic would would not have prevented the scratching. I like the shinny also and would seal under the cover and the edges to prevent water intursion if I had a set.
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Old 09-29-2007, 06:24 PM   #293
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Thumbs up Haha Preperation

Spent the afternoon today getting the HAHA ready for tomorrows install.


Thought it would make sense to deal with the rust before it

happened. Chipped the weld slag off all the black parts. Used Scotch-Brite

Pads and Acrysol to prepare the surface, and spray-on bed liner as the

finish coat. Plan to clearcoat the main assembly after the first shakedown

cruise over the Columbus Day weekend.

A lot of work, but very satisfying...........to be continued.
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Old 09-30-2007, 08:54 PM   #294
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Thumbs up Done

NOT BAD, JUST A ONE BEER JOB!

Kind of did it bass akward though, installed the frame brackets first, used a

floor jack to lift the main assembly, most everyrhing else followed in line.

Two minor problems slowed the install, the zirk fitting threads had some

buring inside the bore for the WD bars, half round file and a swipe with a

brake cylinder hone took care of that.

Also one of the WD jacks was very difficult to adjust, had to disassemble

and clean weld slag from the bore, same repair as above. Gouged it up

good, not visable though, so what the hay!

Plan a couple practice runs this week before heading out to Letchworth

State Park this weekend for a real shakedown and some Leaf Peep'n.

Hope to see some fellow Streamers out and about.

Take care all...... and be safe.
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Old 09-30-2007, 09:23 PM   #295
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RC,

Did you order yours direct from Hensley? I think my dual-cam is overloaded for my rig.

Pat
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Old 09-30-2007, 09:51 PM   #296
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Thumbs up Haha Order

Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
RC,

Did you order yours direct from Hensley? I think my dual-cam is overloaded for my rig.

Pat
Hensley Arrow - Trailer Towing Safety

Pat:

Yes, except for second hand, all new orders are handled directly at the

Factory. I e-mailed them for the info packet, If you order it, watch the DVD

first, it's much easier to understand how the system works.

It is a big whack up front, but it's one well designed and built piece

of equipment. The customer service is first rate, and as far as I know MI. is

still part of the U.S.A.

All ya really need do is spend some time reading this thread, 2air has got his

S--T together on this one!!!!
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Old 09-30-2007, 10:31 PM   #297
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Road Clearance?

..any issues with heading up a "steep" incline and bottoming-out the spring bars (as the TV heads up the incline and the trailer is still on the relatively flat road)?
It appears from people's pictures that the haha apparatus is significantly closer to the pavement than looks comfortable.
What have people experienced with:
- Speed bumps (both the low wide ones and the high narrow ones)?
- Steep driveways?
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Old 09-30-2007, 10:53 PM   #298
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Thumbs up Haha Clearence

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2333
..any issues with heading up a "steep" incline and bottoming-out the spring bars (as the TV heads up the incline and the trailer is still on the relatively flat road)?
It appears from people's pictures that the haha apparatus is significantly closer to the pavement than looks comfortable.
What have people experienced with:
- Speed bumps (both the low wide ones and the high narrow ones)?
- Steep driveways?


In my post above there is no tension on the wd jacks, when hitched, the

the rear of the bars would be up at least a foot. As far as level, with

the 4inch drop stinger the factory supplied, both the tv and trailer are dead

on. I just Installed the haha today, and still have a new brake control to set

up, so I'm not able to comment on the performance. Should have an update

after our shakedown next Sunday............Bob
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Old 10-01-2007, 07:19 AM   #299
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2333
..any issues with heading up a "steep" incline and bottoming-out the spring bars (as the TV heads up the incline and the trailer is still on the relatively flat road)?
It appears from people's pictures that the haha apparatus is significantly closer to the pavement than looks comfortable.
What have people experienced with:
- Speed bumps (both the low wide ones and the high narrow ones)?
- Steep driveways?
To my surprise when I installed mine my trailer stopped dragging on the rollback curb in my driveway on the way in and out. I had even purchased a ramp set at Sam's to make the transition smoother and did not have to use it. Your experience may be different.
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Old 10-01-2007, 08:29 AM   #300
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No drag yet

After 20 months of towing 31' classic with HA, have not had a drag yet. It does look close to ground, but no dragging.
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