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I have towed over 12,000 miles with a Hensley and would not want to use anything less. F250 with a 10,000 lb. camper
It can be a pain to connect if the setup is awkward, after several years of use I can connect it quicker than a traditional WDH.
It does reduce sway considerably, however if you get a big push from the side the camper and truck move together as a unit, I find that more comfortable than the trailer swaying.
I purchased used for $500
This sounds very much like my situation. I love my Hensley and would never consider anything else.
I use the Hensley Arrow, which is almost identical to the Pro Pride, both were designed by the same guy, Jim Hensley.
They are definitely not snake oil, they just work exactly as advertised. The trailer can not sway behind the tow vehicle, the combination moves like a straight body truck where crosswinds and passing trucks can cause the trailer to wag the dog with lesser hitches.
I tow a very large (41' hitch to bumper) TT that scales at 12K lbs with the relatively short-ish (137" wheelbase) Excursion. I wouldn't want that big of a TT behind my EX without a HA or PP in the mix.
I have logged over 47K heavy towing miles on this Hensley Arrow that I bought used for $600 ten years ago, it been on two trailers with us so far and we couldn't be happier with it.
In my opinion hitching and unhitching is actually easier than a traditional WD hitch once you work through the learning curve as they are a different animal.
I am also a big fan of the ProPride hitch, it really changes the feel of the trailer in a good way. Bought it when I had the Excursion and still use it on my 3/4 ton pickup. Overkill perhaps, but as the poster above said it is a small investment compared to the truck and RV. Most of the time, it's quicker and easier to hook up than a typical WD hitch.
One huge advantage of a Hensley or ProPride, you don't have to disconnect the WD bars before backing up. @WE3ZS and @ExxWhy
I see this brought up a lot, not just for the Hensley or ProPride. None of the WDH I've used have prevented me from backing up while connected. What brand/style of WDH has that limitation?
I see this brought up a lot, not just for the Hensley or ProPride. None of the WDH I've used have prevented me from backing up while connected. What brand/style of WDH has that limitation?
I think that’s old wives tales. I’ve run Equalizer, Reese, Blue Ox, and a few others I’ve the last 30 years, and none have this limits. I’ve never found someone who has had to pull bars off to back up... yet.
I think that’s old wives tales. I’ve run Equalizer, Reese, Blue Ox, and a few others I’ve the last 30 years, and none have this limits. I’ve never found someone who has had to pull bars off to back up... yet.
That's what I'm thinking. Those marketing geniuses tried to come up with an "advantage".
That's what I'm thinking. Those marketing geniuses tried to come up with an "advantage".
I believe it's the old friction style sway control that you have to disconnect to backup and turn. The modern ones like Equal-i-zer are fine, just a little loud.
It might be better to tow with but nothing will take all the sway out of a bumper pull. Especially 3 grand it better do something that ridiculous financing a trailer hitch anyway. You dont like how a bumper pull pulls get a fifth wheel.
One huge advantage of a Hensley or ProPride, you don't have to disconnect the WD bars before backing up. @WE3ZS and @ExxWhy
You NEVER have to disconnect the WD bars before backing up. At least I never have, and I've been almost bumper to tongue.
For you guys thinking I'm confused - I'm not. The things just aren't worth the money if you're towing properly. If you're getting sway under normal driving, then you likely aren't set up right.
To keep this short I towed with a lot a different W/D hitches in my life before I got our 5th wheel and all I have to say is if I can afford it, and if I go back to a tow behind, I will definitely be towing it with a hensley or propride. Yes I had one at the end and it was night and day over anything I had towed with previous.
For you guys thinking I'm confused - I'm not. The things just aren't worth the money if you're towing properly. If you're getting sway under normal driving, then you likely aren't set up right.
^^^ Never used one^^^
Originally Posted by camping nut
To keep this short I towed with a lot a different W/D hitches in my life before I got our 5th wheel and all I have to say is if I can afford it, and if I go back to a tow behind, I will definitely be towing it with a hensley or propride. Yes I had one at the end and it was night and day over anything I had towed with previous.
Ahhhh the Hensley/ProPride naysayers. They know not what they spew. While I haven’t justified the costs currently, once the DW and I settle on a long term trailer, it will have a ProPride on it, unless it’s a fifth wheel. There is absolutely no sway with a ProPride. It’s just physics. Frankly, though, I’ve pulled slot of miles with Equalizer brand hitches with no issues, but the closer you get to your limits, whether it’s payload or tow capacity, the ProPride is a lot more forgiving.
It might be better to tow with but nothing will take all the sway out of a bumper pull. Especially 3 grand it better do something that ridiculous financing a trailer hitch anyway. You dont like how a bumper pull pulls get a fifth wheel.
I'd have to spend a lot more than $3,000 to pull a fiver with my Excursion, those automated safety hitches run about $5/6,000 I believe.
Maybe you missed where I described my combo above, but with our 41' TT behind our 137" wheelbases EX there is no trailer sway at all. Even in strong crosswinds or when passing big rigs the entire combo moves like a straight body truck, zero tail wagging the dog with the HA or PP hitches when setup correctly. With this trailers huge sail area and the shortish wagon it would be a handful in the wind with a lesser hitch, we started out with a traditional WD hitch and the upgrade to our HA, bought used for $600, was a night and day difference.
I am assuming that you haven't ever used one of these pivot point projection hitches? If you like how a fiver pulls, then you would like the HA/PP as they mimic a fivers handling by use of the pivot point projection geometry. And not everyone is in a situation where "get a fifth wheel" is possible for a variety of reasons.
Does every bumper pull trailer combo need a PP/HA type WD setup, no, of course not, there are plenty of other very good WD hitches with built-in sway control available. But it's great to have the option to step up to one if the situation or desire is present, they do deliver an excellent towing experience.
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