drfife
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Joined: 11/02/2002
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robsouth wrote:Seems to me that if I thought I needed a HA, I would be inclined to switch to a 5th wheel and be done with it. I cannot imagine paying the price of an HA. I have never needed one and don't expect to. JMHO.
Your logic does not make financial sense.
The cost of a 5th wheel trailer and 5th wheel hitch is much more than the cost of a comparable travel trailer and Hensley hitch.
* This post was
edited 10/09/07 01:19pm by an administrator/moderator *
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bettered
UpCountry SC
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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robsouth wrote:Seems to me that if I thought I needed a HA, I would be inclined to switch to a 5th wheel and be done with it. I cannot imagine paying the price of an HA. I have never needed one and don't expect to. JMHO.
Sorry Rob. I can only hope to encourage you to trade in your TT for a 5er and then tell us how much you saved over the cost of an HA. But with a 22' rig, you're probably right, you may never wish you had an HA. At least I hope not.
BetterEd
DW + 2 grandkids + Mini Schnauzer
2005 Chev 3500 Crew D/A 6.6L LLY, 6 x 6 DRW, 3.73
Tru-Flow + Banks, 2005 Flagstaff 831FKSS
Hensley + Prodigy
"Genius may have its limitations...." E. Hubbard 1856 - 1915
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robsouth
Metro-Atlanta, GA
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Joined: 06/20/2004
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I know not. Hee Hee.
"Sometimes I just sit and think. Sometimes I just sit." "Great minds like a think."
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Stressor
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
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Joined: 05/29/2001
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bettered wrote:Stressor wrote:The lateral force is applied to the whole rig under those conditions, because the Hensley linkage is locked up tight, and with the exception of whatever play there is in the components, the rig is as stiff as a two inch steel bar can be stiff.
If you actually own a Hensley Arrow, you can demonstrate this to yourself on your next outing. Drive along and watch the rear end of your trailer for a while. Stop for a break, and while you are there, loosen the struts on the Hensley by a turn. Drive on, and watch the rear end of your trailer. You will see movement that was not there before.
In a locked linkage, there is no virtual pivot point. Steering input from the tow vehicle unlocks it, and as soon as things straighten out, it is locked again. The trailer cannot exert a yaw force in a Hensley equipped rig.
Check out the Hensley web site, they explain how the hitch "actually works" very clearly.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
The links between the upper and lower components of the hitch are fixed in place about their axis of rotation by double tapered roller bearings (both top and bottom) in the hitch, entirely similar to the way wheels are mounted on axles.
If this system operates as you've suggested, why don't we have cars driving down the road suddenly "locking up" and skidding out of control to a panic stop. With millions of cars on the road, surely one of them would have experienced lockup by now.
Bettered, you are another one who needs to buy a clue.
Milton Findley (and Kerene)
A small piece of my mind...
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Ron Gratz
full time RVer
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Stressor wrote:The trailer cannot exert a yaw force in a Hensley equipped rig.
Milt, I just love it when you demonstrate your knowledge of physics.
Perhaps you would like to explain why the trailer cannot exert a yaw force?
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bettered
UpCountry SC
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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Stressor wrote:Bettered, you are another one who needs to buy a clue.
There are opinions, and there are facts.
The design of the Hensley Arrow uses double taper roller bearings to secure the links to the upper and lower elements (the front and back links of this 4 bar linkage.) The method of operation and application of roller bearings has been around longer than you yourself Milt. It's a proven design for securing members that rotate. There is certainly no wild theorem as to how they might work, the technology exists and has been a part of accepted design practice for well over 50 years.
You are free to argue your opinions and theories in the confines of your classroom, where you are the arbitrar of the grades your students receive. But in the real world, your opinions and theories can be readily tested by thoughtful people with far more experience than I.
You may pronounce a grade for me on this exam, but it really is of supreme indifference to the world or how it really works.
Cling to your opinions as you will, but facts are always stronger than opinions.
Was it the students who coined your forum name? Just curious.
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Trail-Mate
Frederick, MD
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Joined: 01/22/2004
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Go out and Price some good 5Th weel hicthes, They are not that cheap either.
1997 Ford F250 Extended Cab, 7.3 Diesel, 8 foot bed.
Reese 16K Hitch
(Moved into Shed) Hensley Arrow
Jordan Brake Controller, Hensley TruControl Gold Shelved.
Open Range 5th Wheel, Roamer RF392 BHS
Happy Camping !!
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