BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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APT wrote:Lantley wrote:
A HA and PP are designed totally different from any friction based hitch such as a Reese Dual cam or an Equalizer.
Just to clarify, the Reese Dual Cam system is not friction based sway control.
Anyway, I think the consensus is the Propride P3 is better than the Henesey Arrow and costs less.
Wrong on both counts! 
The Dual Cam system is just a different and more effective kind of friction based sway control.
I don't believe that there has been a survey on whether the P3 is better or worse than the Hensley.
Barney
* This post was
edited 07/29/10 09:50am by BarneyS *
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Lantley,
There is no merit to the logic that a $25,000 truck mated to a $25,000 trailer is justificaton to spend money on a high end quality hitch. The hitch doesn't connect money or value, it connects tow vehicle capabilities with trailer weights/lengths. Hitch decisions shouldn't care what the tow vehicle or trailer costs, rather those decisions should be about safety and doing the job regardless if you have a $1000 beater trailer and a 40 year old pickup rebuilt three times and worth $500; or a $60,000 truck and $98,000 Airstream trailer. Hitch justification should be based on weights/lengths and tow vehicle capabilities.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed airbags overload springs bumpers
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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BarneyS wrote:APT wrote:Lantley wrote:
A HA and PP are designed totally different from any friction based hitch such as a Reese Dual cam or an Equalizer.
Just to clarify, the Reese Dual Cam system is not friction based sway control.
Anyway, I think the consensus is the Propride P3 is better than the Henesey Arrow and costs less.
Wrong on both counts!
Sorry, I disagree, on both counts. 
Quote:The Dual Cam system is just a different and more effective kind of friction based sway control.
Not really. The dual cam uses gravity as well as friction to limit sway.
I don't think its fair to call the dual cam friction based, 'cause it really is not. Its true that friction plays a part in how it works, but gravity plays a larger part.
Quote:I don't believe that there has been a survey on whether the P3 is better or worse than the Hensley.
Barney
No, not an actual 'survey', but its been discussed at very great length on here a couple times (you should know, you locked the thread the last time it was discussed, haha). In both cases, I think it was shown pretty clearly which of the 2 hitches was the overall better choice.
Will
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pasusan
PA
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jmtandem wrote:Lantley,
There is no merit to the logic that a $25,000 truck mated to a $25,000 trailer is justificaton to spend money on a high end quality hitch. The hitch doesn't connect money or value, it connects tow vehicle capabilities with trailer weights/lengths. Hitch decisions shouldn't care what the tow vehicle or trailer costs, rather those decisions should be about safety and doing the job regardless if you have a $1000 beater trailer and a 40 year old pickup rebuilt three times and worth $500; or a $60,000 truck and $98,000 Airstream trailer. Hitch justification should be based on weights/lengths and tow vehicle capabilities.
Wow... Good point. Look again at my sig. Money is not always the object. Safety is.
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Susan & Ben ~
84 Bronco & 90 Award Classic 23 joined with a Hensley Cub
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Willald wrote:... Not really. The dual cam uses gravity as well as friction to limit sway.
I don't think its fair to call the dual cam friction based, 'cause it really is not. Its true that friction plays a part in how it works, but gravity plays a larger part. ...
Gravity?  How do you figure that? The pressure of the spring bar tries to keep the notch on the cam. If gravity plays a part it must be a VERY small part. As the bar slides/rises on the cam on both sides, the pressure from the bars increases. This pressure causes the friction to increase. I don't see where gravity comes into the picture.
Quote:No, not an actual 'survey', but its been discussed at very great length on here a couple times (you should know, you locked the thread the last time it was discussed, haha). In both cases, I think it was shown pretty clearly which of the 2 hitches was the overall better choice.
Yes, you are correct that it has been discussed several times on the forums but I don't think there was even close to a consensus of opinion. Until SW urged his disciples to come over here to push his hitch the opinions were about even. That is when I locked the thread.
Barney
* This post was
edited 07/29/10 12:51pm by BarneyS *
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peirek
Dallas, Tx
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mamatoablessing wrote:I know there is a 53 page thread already about the Hensley Arrow, but it seems a little more technical than what I'm looking for.
We've been told the HA is the Mercedes of hitches. Because I'm a little nervous about pulling a 34 foot trailer (we're purchasing a 2011 Keystone Bullet 294 BHS), I asked DH to look into it. After doing his own research, he still has a few questions he's hoping can be answered by you experienced rv'ers.
Our dealer, Camping World, doesn't sell the HA nor will they install it. DH was told by HA that it's easy enough for him to install himself. Is this true?
Our dealer also told us that the HA was overkill for our trailer, based on it's dry weight of aprox 5500lbs.
Are there any other comparable products to the HA that might be better for us?
Any advice, suggestions or guidance would be much appreciated!
So now that the thread has gone south, have your questions been answered? Really as you can see it is a much debated subject and in the end you need to make up your own mind.
Paul & Lisa
2010 GMC Denali 6.2L with Integrated Brake Controller and backup camera God bless the backup camera!
2009 MVP RV Coast 26LRBS
Hensley Arrow
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bmuller
Airdrie Alberta
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The debate is simple... those of us without an HA hitch are trying to justify our position because we arent so special like the HA people...  (Sad Day)
Do I feel unsafe with my Reese hitch... Nope.. did I spend 3K on it.. nope... you have to do what you feel comfortable with.. what you have now are everybodies opinion use what you can and decide for yourself whats best..
Good Luck
TV - 2008 F150 S/C w/Superchip Cortex & K&N CAI
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Wes Tausend
Bismarck, ND
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...
In reference to the differences between the Pro-Pride and Hensley, the geometric advantage principle is exactly the same. One difference that made a plus to me was that the P3 has an adjustable stinger height just like thousands of other non-linkage equalizing hitches in use. When I got the "pre-owned" Hensley, it came with a two inch offset stinger to match the tow vehicle, and trailer, ball height from the ground. Unfortunately, my truck at the time needed a straight stinger. Our taller Excursion might accidently work with the 2 inch offset.
Since I was not the original owner of the Hensley, I would have had to outright buy the correct offset from Hensley (about $200+ each, I think) and pay shipping. Even original owners must pay shipping (at the time $40 each way, $80) to factory-trade their stinger whenever they get a different TT and/or TV. Hensley offers the trade feature for life for the original owner. But for those of us that buy or sell used, it is a bit unhandy.
For that reason, I bought just the modified adjustable height stinger from Pro-Pride that is expressly made to work with the slightly different dimensions of the Hensley. (A P3 assembly will not work, but they are very close.) Not only will this allow me to fit my Hensley to any combination, but it will also enhance resale since the next guy doesn't have to depend on the Hensley factory, or Ebay, to match the Hensley to his trailer/truck combination. I believe the cost was under $500, if Pro-Pride still offers the deal.
In another reference to whether fear is a factor in buying such an expensive hitch, I believe it is. The "safety factor" is played up big time by Hensley sales because of this. I believe Pro-Pride is a little more sedate in their promotion, believing that if you inquire, you already have your own personal reasons and know the difference. They are more likely to tout their "updated" engineering over that of the Hensley, which has basically remained unchanged, and quite effective, over many years.
After a bad experience, the quote, "Maybe some day I will get one but that decision will not be borne out of fear", may not hold up for everyone. Like I stated in my post above, the original owner, of mine, definately bought his Hensley out of fear, and I would say it was justified. He said the TT was not more than 4 feet high after the rollover and the TV, which went down further, was balled up.
To add to the original owners story, first, he was driving a short wheelbase Tahoe, the short wheelbase being more susceptable to sway. Secondly, he was descending a mountain road and I believe the TT tongue loading tends to increase, making the tow vehicle tail heavy and far more susceptable to poor handling and sway. The TT and tongue not only "lean" forward, but the braking further increases tongue loading. The TT axle load may actually reduce somewhat in this weight distribution "exchange", just as the weight distribution changes between the front and rear axles on a truck during a downhill or stop. The axle exchange on the truck should somewhat offset the extra hitch weight, one would think. Some static weight measurements on a severe downhill, as opposed to our common level measurements, might be interesting food for thought.
In my opinion, it is almost like we should re-set our equalizing bars a bit looser on the way up and a bit tighter on the way down. Equalizer bar settings are only correct on the level, since they are set in this position. Notice I said almost re-set. I'm not going to do it either. But if I go very far, I'll probably install the Hensley.
Wes
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Cimriver
Colorado
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APT wrote:Anyway, I think the consensus is the Propride P3 is better than the Henesey Arrow and costs less.
Who's consensus?
Gordon & Patti
2008 F-350, 6.4L. Power Stroke, CrewCab
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RangerJay
Northern Ontario
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Never heard the Mercedes parallel - but it's a good one.
I think it is probably fair to say that those who are dissatisfied with the towing performance and comfort of their current hitch will often move towards either a Hensley or a ProPride - but it would be exceedingly rare for anyone to move away from either a Hensley or a ProPride to another brand of hitch for those same reasons.
Hensley also sells rebuilt units - much cheaper - and they come with the same warranty - just give them a call for the details. In addition - the 60-day trial period gives you ample time to make a decision based on your own experience with the unit. Finally, Hensley will buy the hitch back off of you when you are finished with it.
Hooking up a Hensley does mean learning a few different rules - not harder - just different - but once understood it is no more difficult than any other hitch.
As far as I am concerned - the only reason to get another brand of hitch would be to fully appreciate the difference when you finally upgrade to the Hensley .....
Good Luck,
Jay
2002 Bambi 19' - the "Toaster"
2003 Nissan Pathfinder - the "Buggy"
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