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Looking at either the Hensley BD1 or Reese M5 20K for the 5th wheel coming at the end of the month. Pin weight empty is about 1250 so not too heavy. I like the idea of the air ride based on reviews and youtube videos. The Reese comes apart in 4 pieces so easy in easy out. Half the price of the Hensley though....thoughts?
Thanks.
I believe the chucking/bouncing is somewhat rig (truck/camper) dependent. My truck actually rides the same or smoother with our fiver and its 2000lb hitch weight. I don't feel the need for an airbag hitch.
No chucking or any other adverse sensations from my rail version AUH either. We have use the AUH for years with two different 5th wheels and will never use another hitch. It provides confidence in hooking up, towing and braking.
No checking to make sure hitch jaws are locked. No checking to make sure trailer is securely hitched. No heavy and difficult to move equipment.
I sometimes put my AUH in the back seat of my super cab 2000 truck when it is not in use. Yesterday my wife removed the hitch and carried it to the garage.
Too many benefits not to consider it. The AUH is not for everyone, but it is my hitch of choice for the rest of our 5th wheeling life.
I believe the chucking/bouncing is somewhat rig (truck/camper) dependent. My truck actually rides the same or smoother with our fiver and its 2000lb hitch weight. I don't feel the need for an airbag hitch.
Was about ready to get one off Amazon when I looked at the reviews. Last month a guy had a 10mph forward fender bender and the ball broke in half sending the 5th wheel into the trailer...☹️...sigh.....Chief saw that and was “yeah, NO”....
I believe the chucking/bouncing is somewhat rig (truck/camper) dependent. My truck actually rides the same or smoother with our fiver and its 2000lb hitch weight. I don't feel the need for an airbag hitch.
Based on my own experience and I share that impression. Same fiver, same hitch, same truck dimensions (8' beds, super cabs), exact same route, Last truck - lots of chucking; no chucking at all with current combo. Hum!
I will never have another solid mount hitch. I never had any issues with chucking or bouncing but since switching to the Goose Box the difference in ride quality is night and day. With a standard hitch every bump or pot hole is transmitted through the hitch to the truck.
The AUH I had used an aluminum ball, that would not have been my first choice for a 20k lb. load.
FYI, don't believe all you read in AMAZON reviews ! ANYONE can post a review in there...even the competition !
Oh, we have looked at the reviews with one eye for sure. These two reviews came with pictures of the incident so that pretty much swayed the wife on the Andersen.....
I will never have another solid mount hitch. I never had any issues with chucking or bouncing but since switching to the Goose Box the difference in ride quality is night and day. With a standard hitch every bump or pot hole is transmitted through the hitch to the truck.
The AUH I had used an aluminum ball, that would not have been my first choice for a 20k lb. load.
My first choice was the Goose Box, but since the trailer we got has the Turning Point pinbox, that was off the table....😕
Looking at either the Hensley BD1 or Reese M5 20K for the 5th wheel coming at the end of the month. Pin weight empty is about 1250 so not too heavy. I like the idea of the air ride based on reviews and youtube videos. The Reese comes apart in 4 pieces so easy in easy out. Half the price of the Hensley though....thoughts?
Thanks.
First there is never overkiill when it comes to a hitch, you never know when you will upgrade to a bigger trailer. The Hensley air cushioned hitch would be nice but like you said expensive and I'm not sure about adaptability when switching brands of trucks, the puck systems on the big three are not the same and on the Reese hitch you can change the side arms and keep the same hitch. I know a few that have air cushioned hitch and they really like them but they have heavy trailers. As far as clunking goes the newer Resse hitches have improved on that with there jaw system. The only time I get any clunking on my old Reese 20K is when the trailer brakes aren't adjusted properly.
Thanks Denny,
As far as changing trucks, we spent a couple of years actually looking for a set up like we have and there was nothing out there so we ordered. At my age this should be the last truck we buy so we built it exactly like we wanted😊. As far as the trailer, same thing. Many RV shows, online looking at new and used. When the model we bought - GD Reflection 150 series 268BH - it checked all the boxes EXCEPT for the Pin box. It only has a GVWR of 9594 so not to heavy. No Goose Box so had it narrowed down to the new Reese M5 20K, B&W 3300 and the Andersen like many have. After seeing the two reviews on Amazon, (yes,I know) with pictures of the failure, I am pretty much down to the two others. Both have their Pro’s and Con’s of course.
Can you post the link to that AUH failure? There is one photo I know of that an AUH failed but it was because the owner failed to follow the instructions to NOT use the aluminum AUH. The steel version would NOT have done that.
