Hensley BD3
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Deer Park
Hensley BD3
Got my hitch in today. What a good looking unit. Anyone else using one of these? If so how do you like it. Also what is your hook up / un hook procedure. Things will be different for be now that there is a loaded air bag below the hitch head.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 630
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From: Green Acres, Ca.
Picture? My truck came with a class 5 hitch installed. I did the air bags myself.
OPPS!!!! Sorry, I should have looked it up first, that is one heck of a set up!!! Can you remove it when not in use?
OPPS!!!! Sorry, I should have looked it up first, that is one heck of a set up!!! Can you remove it when not in use?
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From: Deer Park
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 187
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From: WA
Works great
I use a BD3 with the adaptor that fits the factory 5th wheel prep package perfectly in my 11 F350. Love the hitch... major improvement over the fixed hitch slamming and banging and love the Holland head. Worth the proud price they sell at IMO.
My hook up and unhook procedure has evolved as I used this combination. Now I leave the hitch attached and padlocked to the 5th wheel when I unhook and then just lower and center the feet into the 4 bed holes when I get ready to load and go. Also, I have a cart I set under the hitch and I lower the hitch a bit onto the cart using the 5th wheel front jacks to unload most of the dead weight on the king pin while stored. Works well for me and I no longer get messing with the two part assembly drill on load or unload.
My hook up and unhook procedure has evolved as I used this combination. Now I leave the hitch attached and padlocked to the 5th wheel when I unhook and then just lower and center the feet into the 4 bed holes when I get ready to load and go. Also, I have a cart I set under the hitch and I lower the hitch a bit onto the cart using the 5th wheel front jacks to unload most of the dead weight on the king pin while stored. Works well for me and I no longer get messing with the two part assembly drill on load or unload.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Terrell, Texas
What is the price of this hitch in comparison to the reeses elite hitch for the factory installed hitch rails?
Is there a big difference between this hitch and the trail air king pin setup?
Just curious because I'm looking at a toy hauler weighing in between 16k - 18k gvw. And pin weight of about 3200 lbs.
Side note: I'll pull the trailer with a DRW Fx4 CC lwb
Is there a big difference between this hitch and the trail air king pin setup?
Just curious because I'm looking at a toy hauler weighing in between 16k - 18k gvw. And pin weight of about 3200 lbs.
Side note: I'll pull the trailer with a DRW Fx4 CC lwb
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From: Deer Park
The BD3 runs around 2300 but for your set up I would go with I believe the TS3 it's has a higher weigh and pin capacity. I am not familiar with the pin box you speak of and have only used my hitch to pull my trailer about 10 miles so far but I love my jus from the little bit that I used it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,223
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Ive used a BD3 for 2 seasons now, and pulling with a DRW CC.
You don't need the TS3, the BD3 is more then sufficient for your trailer. My trailer has weighed in at 19 K with about 3000-3400 pin weight depending on how it is loaded. Works fine. I have some issues with squeaking which I resolved with a bit of work and installation of grease fitiings.
I use my AirLift wireless controller to control the bags in the hitch using an air solenoid and volume tank.
The hitch is heavy. I have used the pin box to haul it as well as an engine hoist.
But most of the time when it comes out I use an electric hoist at my buddies shop, and store up in the loft.
I drilled four small holes on the side plates and made a sling up with chain and small shackles for lifting.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Terrell, Texas
I tried a Trail Air king pin. Used a MOR/ryde pin box first, got a great deal on the Trail Air (with the Tri-glide). Couldn't stand it so I put the MOR/ryde back on and sold the Trial Air. That was on my GMC short bed with a Pullrite SuperGlide hitch.
Ive used a BD3 for 2 seasons now, and pulling with a DRW CC.
You don't need the TS3, the BD3 is more then sufficient for your trailer. My trailer has weighed in at 19 K with about 3000-3400 pin weight depending on how it is loaded. Works fine. I have some issues with squeaking which I resolved with a bit of work and installation of grease fitiings.
I use my AirLift wireless controller to control the bags in the hitch using an air solenoid and volume tank.
The hitch is heavy. I have used the pin box to haul it as well as an engine hoist.
But most of the time when it comes out I use an electric hoist at my buddies shop, and store up in the loft.
I drilled four small holes on the side plates and made a sling up with chain and small shackles for lifting.
Ive used a BD3 for 2 seasons now, and pulling with a DRW CC.
You don't need the TS3, the BD3 is more then sufficient for your trailer. My trailer has weighed in at 19 K with about 3000-3400 pin weight depending on how it is loaded. Works fine. I have some issues with squeaking which I resolved with a bit of work and installation of grease fitiings.
I use my AirLift wireless controller to control the bags in the hitch using an air solenoid and volume tank.
The hitch is heavy. I have used the pin box to haul it as well as an engine hoist.
But most of the time when it comes out I use an electric hoist at my buddies shop, and store up in the loft.
I drilled four small holes on the side plates and made a sling up with chain and small shackles for lifting.
What was so bad about the trail air pin box that made you sell it? Does the TS3 stay below the bedrails of the truck, so that I might be able to put on a flip cover bed cover? Would there be any additional benifit to using the TS3 along with the Trail Air pin box? I just want the rig to ride as smooth as possible because if the Madam sitting shot gun feels "something wierd" shes on edge the whole trip.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
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What was so bad about the trail air pin box that made you sell it? Does the TS3 stay below the bedrails of the truck, so that I might be able to put on a flip cover bed cover? Would there be any additional benifit to using the TS3 along with the Trail Air pin box? I just want the rig to ride as smooth as possible because if the Madam sitting shot gun feels "something wierd" shes on edge the whole trip.
Overall, the MOR/ryde pin box gave a smoother ride. With the TA you also have to raise the trailer high enough to clear the pin when hitching unless you dump the air. My trailer has hydraulic landing gear so that was fairly quick, but the electric gear may take an excessivly long time to raise.
You might still have to raise the trailer higher then normal with the TS3, but it is fairly easy to dump the air and add it it back into the bags if you prefer that method.
I use a American Truck roll up aluminun cover over my hitch. That cover sits level with the top of the bed rolls and is about an inch or so in depth.
It just hits the hitch on the rear edge of teh cover when rolling it up.
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