Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Curious: difference between a WD hitch and Hensley Arrow

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Topic: Curious: difference between a WD hitch and Hensley Arrow

Posted By: ACZL on 09/25/20 08:56am

Not owning a TT, but curious to know what the differences are (if any) between a WD hitch and a Hensley Arrow? Are they same thing? Have always read where a HA is super in keeping TT sway down, but I always was under the impression a WD does the same thing. If different, how so? Will a HA make a diff on a long TT ? Forgive me for asking a lot of questions, but as the old saying goes, curious minds want to know? LOL

TIA.

2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

Posted By: BurbMan on 09/25/20 09:07am

The Hensley Arrow IS a WD hitch. Weight distributing simply means that spring bars are used to eliminate the sag at the hitch point by "distributing" weight from the tongue to the front and rear of the rig.

The primary difference is that the Hensley design uses a 4-bar linkage to eliminate sway. Rather than allowing the trailer to pivot on the hitch ball like a regular WD hitch, the 4-bar linkage locks the movement of the trailer on the ball and uses geometry to create a "virtual pivot point" that is forward of the rear axle of the tow vehicle, making a TT tow like a 5er.

There is a STICKY HERE on the TT forum titled Hensley Arrow- How It Really Works. It's many many pages and has some fantastic posts by Ron Gratz. Ron full times in a Class A and is a brilliant (retired) engineer who shed a lot of light into the mechanics of what makes the Hensley such a good hitch. Ron hasn't posted here in a while, not sure if he is still RVing.

Posted By: Dick_B on 09/25/20 09:11am

Our Equal-i-zer `reduces' the sway but the HA `elimates' the sway. It's an engineering marvel. There is one other product that uses the same principle as the HA but I can't think of the name now.
Senior moment...again.

Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)

Posted By: BurbMan on 09/25/20 09:13am

Dick it's the ProPride 3P, they came to market with the same 4-bar design after Hensley's patent expired.

Posted By: mleekamp on 09/25/20 09:35am

If I'm not mistaken, the ProPride is an improvement over the Hensley Arrow. Jim Hensley, the designer and holder of the patents on the design, licensed them to HA. He continued to make improvements and patents, and ProPride now licenses his improvements, creating a near similar hitch but with improvements. Does that mean it's better? I can't say, but we have used a ProPride and loved it.

I'd take either one -- but when we bought the PP, it was a matter of cost...less $$$ to buy new than HA.

Posted By: dedmiston on 09/25/20 10:42am

Moved from Roads and Routes.

2014 RAM 3500 Diesel 4x4 Dually long bed. AISIN trans & 4.10 rear. B&W RVK3600 hitch • 2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead Toy Hauler ("The Taj Mahauler") • Hooligan #3

Toys:

18 Can Am Maverick x3
05 Yamaha WR450
07 Honda CRF250X
05 Honda CRF230
06 Honda CRF230

Posted By: Lwiddis on 09/25/20 01:00pm

No TT should have much sway. Is the tongue weight adequate?

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Posted By: Gdub2 on 09/25/20 03:13pm

About $2,200

Posted By: bgum on 09/25/20 03:24pm

HA is a very good hitch and controls sway very well. Unfortunately there are several parts considered wear parts. Those parts wear quickly and can cause other problems. For some reason I had lots of problems connecting the hitch to my TV. It was so frustrating that I sold the hitch with the trailer. I know I don't want any more and other hitches can do the job in a perfectly acceptable manner with much less care and feeding.

Posted By: PhilipB on 09/25/20 04:02pm

I once owned a Hensley Arrow. I started with traditional WD and friction sway control. The HA was a game changer. If they cost $500 instead of $2500 I think many more TT owners would have one. I never had any wear or maintenance issues.

2015 Ram 2500
2013 Raptor 310TS

Posted By: dedmiston on 09/25/20 05:01pm

If you're looking for something more affordable, we had great luck with our Reese Dual Cam WD & sway control setup.

I started out with the Reese Weight Distribution hitch and it was great, but the big rigs still pushed me around. I added the Dual Cam sway control and it was a game changer.

If we ever get another big bumper pull, I'll probably go with the Reese again.

Posted By: RobWNY on 09/26/20 05:06am

BurbMan wrote:

The primary difference is that the Hensley design uses a 4-bar linkage to eliminate sway. Rather than allowing the trailer to pivot on the hitch ball like a regular WD hitch, the 4-bar linkage locks the movement of the trailer on the ball and uses geometry to create a "virtual pivot point" that is forward of the rear axle of the tow vehicle, making a TT tow like a 5er.

I had the ProPride hitch which is the "upgrade" over the Hensley Arrow. Both of those hitches are fantastic hitches and do what they are designed to do but towing a 5er, which is what I have now, is heads and shoulders a better experience than with either of those hitches.

2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.

Posted By: Lantley on 09/26/20 06:29am

Once upon a time I towed a 36' 11KGVW TT with a Hensley and a 7.3 PSD Excursion.
It was a fantastic combo. It towed as well as my current fiver.

19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
BD3,RV safepower,22" Blackstone
Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan,Sailun S637
Correct Trax,Splendide

Posted By: BackOfThePack on 09/26/20 07:26am

A Hensley-patent hitch is night & day different. Makes all other types obsolete. Sway is guaranteed eliminated. Handling problems (solutions) are now limited to the TV, and even MPG improved as trailer DOES NOT move out of alignment thus reducing a huge number of minor steering corrections (especially with adverse wind direction).

A 5er is a pig to tow in comparison. Top-heavy & unstable. Any winds and it’s time to stop.

Set the hitch as with any other (same as 5er): Steer Axle same weight value solo or hitched.

The trailer cannot move out of alignment UNLESS the TV initiates a turn.

2004 555 CTD QC LB NV-5600
1990 35’ Silver Streak

Posted By: Seon on 09/26/20 07:58am

I recently replaced my class c with a TT that had a Husky WD. The OP set the WD on my TV and while driving home experienced the swaying when the big rig passed. That decided me to buy a Hensley which eliminated swaying and I don't regret spending the high $$ for piece of mind.

Here's a good video about Hensley.

https://hensleymfg.com/how-does-the-hensley-hitch-work/

Posted By: Lantley on 09/26/20 10:18am

BackOfThePack wrote:

I would not go as far as to say fiver is a pig.
Fiver's do not require weight distribution. Weight is placed directly over axles. 5'er tows well right out the gate. I have towed both fiver and Hensley equipped TT.

Posted By: aftermath on 09/27/20 10:50pm

To the OP,

1. There are WD hitches out there that distribute the weight between the trailer and TV. They level things out and return weight back to the front end of the TV.

2. A WD hitch by itself does not reduce sway. The first level to help this is the add on friction sway bar.

3. Today there are hitches that combine WD with Sway control at the same time. Andersons, Equalizer Brand and Reese hitches are examples of this.

4. The Hensley or Pro Pride are different, have an entirely different design and suggest that you will never have to worry about sway....ever. People who own these are high on them but this thread is the first time that I have heard an owner actually claim that aside from all the miraculous claims, they will increase MPG too! Wow!

I have been towing for over 20 years now and have ONLY used an Equalizer. Back in the day I had to get a hitch, I was looking for a quick and easy set up. I did not like any of the spring up chain type hitches for they were problematic when backing up. You had to disengage these before backing into your spot upon arriving. This has changed and is no longer an issue. The Hensley is heavy, and you have to back the truck into the stinger. Most owners say this is not an issue after you have sufficient experience and I will accept that. I only knew that after watching two different owners struggle with hooking up in a camp that was a bit off level, I decided that this was not for me.

I went with the Equalizer and have yet to experience any issues. If I did have trouble with WD or sway episodes I would look at a different hitch. But since I now have over 50K miles towing my current trailer without any issues, I am not in a hurry to get something "new". That and the cost of a new Henlsey keeps me happy with my setup. Hensley is a very good hitch, not question. The best? Perhaps, but.....is the extreme cost a justification to drop a hitch that works for me?

2017 Toyota Tundra, Double Cab, 5.7L V8
2006 Airstream 25 FB SE
Equalizer Hitch

Posted By: goducks10 on 09/28/20 09:19am

I've used a Hensley Arrow, Equalizer 4pt Sway control, Blue Ox, Eaz-Lift and an Andersen WDH. The Hensley was hands down the best.
With that being said, if you don't have a trailer that is a bit loose feeling then don't waste your money on an HA. While it is the best WDH IMO it is not needed if you have a rock steady trailer using any friction based WDH.
If you have the money and want the best even though it's not needed then go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Posted By: ACZL on 09/28/20 10:24am

Thanks to everyone who replied. Reason I asked was I have a relative w/ a Tahoe towing a 30'+ TT and heard he had his hands full recently towing w/ a very stiff wind. Doesn't have a HA but guess now he's considering it. Imo tho, he'll still have a problem in that he has a Tahoe towing this trailer. Think it's a '10-'13 era, IDK.

Posted By: BurbMan on 09/28/20 11:23am

Some unsolicited advice....yes, the Hensley or Propride will completely eliminate any sway issues and that Tahoe will tow that trailer as straight as an arrow with zero sway in any and all conditions. I towed a 34' with my Suburban.

Now for the bad news...that hitch design places a lot of stress on the receiver. I twisted my factory hitch receiver like a pretzel with the Hensley. Upgrading the receiver is an easy bolt-on but definitely advisable. Next is the rear differential...GM 1500 series trucks that is a weak like (I had a 2500). Would advise synthetic fluid if he's not already running it and a Mag-Hytec finned extra-capacity cover. Would also strongly advise adding a transmission temp gauge.

Think of it this way....a strong cross wind or load imbalance will exert a sway force on the trailer. The hitch resists that sway force, but in doing so applies much of it to the the tow vehicle.

Wheelbase and suspension stability help the tow vehicle resist those forces, and the Tahoe is at the minimum edge on both of those. If the lack of sway makes in turn makes the driver overconfident about the rig he might wind up in trouble with the Tahoe.

Posted By: mkirsch on 09/29/20 07:35am

BurbMan wrote:

Upgrading the receiver is an easy bolt-on but definitely advisable.

Except if it's a new enough Tahoe the hitch is integrated and there is no upgrade option available.

Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.

Posted By: drsteve on 10/10/20 12:31pm

For 95% of all TT setups the Hensley is a solution in search of a problem.

2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

Posted By: goducks10 on 10/10/20 06:41pm

drsteve wrote:

For 95% of all TT setups the Hensley is a solution in search of a problem.

If they were cheaper everyone would have one. Why not have the best if you can?

Posted By: Lantley on 10/10/20 07:12pm

drsteve wrote:

For 95% of all TT setups the Hensley is a solution in search of a problem.

A Hensley would improve 95% of the set ups out there.
It is simply a better mouse trap!

Posted By: BarneyS on 10/10/20 07:30pm

Lantley wrote:

A Hensley would improve 95% of the set ups out there.
It is simply a better mouse trap!

Agree!
Barney

2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

Posted By: bikendan on 10/11/20 02:51am

goducks10 wrote:

drsteve wrote:

For 95% of all TT setups the Hensley is a solution in search of a problem.

If they were cheaper everyone would have one. Why not have the best if you can?

because if you have a well matched combo, they aren't necessary, especially for the price. a good modern WDH with integrated sway control works great with no need to spend 8x the money.

Dan- Firefighter, Retired">, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur">, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP">), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

Posted By: drsteve on 10/11/20 06:38am

bikendan wrote:

goducks10 wrote:

drsteve wrote:

For 95% of all TT setups the Hensley is a solution in search of a problem.

If they were cheaper everyone would have one. Why not have the best if you can?

because if you have a well matched combo, they aren't necessary, especially for the price. a good modern WDH with integrated sway control works great with no need to spend 8x the money.

Exactly. I use a Husky Centerline (equalizer clone) and my setup is rock solid under all conditions. No need to spend $2500 on a hitch.

Posted By: ACZL on 10/12/20 03:31pm

DW & I both agree a bigger truck should be had, but guess that isn't in the cards anytime soon. So I guess to make up for it, they are looking into the HA, hence this topic.

Posted By: Lantley on 10/12/20 04:09pm

drsteve wrote:

bikendan wrote:

goducks10 wrote:

drsteve wrote:

For 95% of all TT setups the Hensley is a solution in search of a problem.

If they were cheaper everyone would have one. Why not have the best if you can?

because if you have a well matched combo, they aren't necessary, especially for the price. a good modern WDH with integrated sway control works great with no need to spend 8x the money.

Exactly. I use a Husky Centerline (equalizer clone) and my setup is rock solid under all conditions. No need to spend $2500 on a hitch.

Have you ever experienced towing with that $2,500.00 hitch?

Posted By: bikendan on 10/13/20 03:04am

Lantley wrote:

Have you ever experienced towing with that $2,500.00 hitch?

Many of us don't need to because we have well-paired combos that do great with our regular WDHs. I've used mine for 15 years, in snow, ice, high winds, busy California freeways and multiple Western mountain ranges. NEVER had any kind of sway issues with my $400 4 point Equal-i-zer. Rock solid.

So why would I need to spend $2500 fir a PP or Hensley? I agree that they are the best and I think those with short wheelbase tow vehicles should definitely consider getting one.
I also think that a 1 ton dually would be the best tow vehicle but at this time, i don't need one. I do just fine with my F150 3.5 Ecoboost.

* This post was edited 10/13/20 07:41am by an administrator/moderator *

Posted By: Lantley on 10/13/20 05:18am

Much in the same way a F350 dually would improve your towing performance.
A Hensley would also improve your towing performance.
On a clear sunny day that improvement maybe negligible, on a bad Murphy's law kind of day that improvement maybe invaluable.
Those who own a Hensley are after the ultimate towing performance vs. adequate or very good. Buying a dually is not a pratical solution for most, however many find a Hensley a worthwhile way to obtain ultimate towing performance.

Posted By: Z71K9 on 10/13/20 09:12pm

I have towed since 1994. Bought the Hensley after much research this year for my 2021 Grand Design 2800BH. Hands down, the best out there. Unless of course I get Peterbilt and a new fifth wheel.

Posted By: Z71K9 on 10/15/20 01:31pm

I just checked my paperwork. I did not pay anywhere near the $2500 price that everyone is saying for my HA. What is average price of a good traditional WD hitch these days?

Posted By: bikendan on 10/15/20 02:52pm

Z71K9 wrote:

I just checked my paperwork. I did not pay anywhere near the $2500 price that everyone is saying for my HA. What is average price of a good traditional WD hitch these days?

here's a 12,000lbs one for $479. shipping, to Washington, is 9.50

https://www.camperpartsworld.com/Equal-i-zer-Sway-Control-Hitch-12000-lb_p_22969.html

not sure how legit this site is because most are selling it for $670

Posted By: hvac on 10/20/20 09:23am

Added the 16k gen Y torsion hitch this year for our annual tour of the Midwest to the pacific coast. Usually a 13k mile adventure.
What a different way to travel! At first used the Andersen with the gen Y. But as we go down the coast just drop the coach on the gen Y ball and go.
Our rig is ATC 28 front bedroom. Overall weight over 8k but toungue heavy at just under 1200lb. The gen Y just soaks up the big ones. I love it. Tow vehicle is 2018 laramie CTD.

Posted By: 4x4ord on 10/20/20 10:42am

If I ever go from a fiver to a TT I will most likely just bite the bullet and get a Hensley/Propride hitch but I don't doubt that many people can get their WD hitch set up to tow good enough without the added expense of one of these hitches. It's kind of like those who insist you need a dually for a larger 5ver .... it is likely that the dually adds a level of comfort to the towing experience but for many of us the wider/longer truck vs a SRW short box is, overall, more of a disadvantage that an advantage. The extra cost of a Hensley for those who seldom use their trailer can easily be understood as not worth the advantage.

2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

Posted By: FL JasonR on 10/23/20 07:30pm

I currently have the Blue Ox WD, how does that compare tho the ones listed above?

Posted By: deltabravo on 10/24/20 04:59am

ACZL wrote:

.... w/ a Tahoe towing a 30'+ TT.... Imo tho, he'll still have a problem in that he has a Tahoe towing this trailer. Think it's a '10-'13 era, IDK.

Yep. The Tahoe is the problem.

2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator

Posted By: BarneyS on 10/24/20 08:09am

FL JasonR wrote:

I currently have the Blue Ox WD, how does that compare tho the ones listed above?

Not in the same league as the Hensley at all.
Barney

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