Hensley-Arrow Hitch

[Doc Tinker]

Anybody using the Hensley hitch? I'm about to get one and would like to know if you think I'll feel comfortable riding shotgun while Mrs Doc drives the rig with the Hensley in use.



Doc

 

[Briar Hopper]

You wimp. Take off the equalizers and tow that flap shack like a real man !

I've got the Hensley video, it looks like a great product. Expensive, but still great... .

 

[C Schomer]

Doc, a guy in our RV club has one. He tows a 26-28' TT and swears by the Hensley hitch. Craig

 

[Diese1nut]

Hensley

Doc.

I had a Hensley on a 10k Holiday Rambler and would never tow a trailer of that weight with out one agian. It was everything that it advertized and then some. I towed at 75 mph for hours at a time, passing big rigs like nothing, with no sway at all.

The only reason I went to a fiver was because there was more room and it had real furniture. The leather recliners will change your mind in a hurry.

Find a used one if you can. Try IRV2.com

 

[Charley]

Same story on another 36 foot 10K Holiday Rambler. I didn't pull it but the owner said the same thing. Also it will give you a much tighter turning radius on a towed trailer than regular hitch.

 

[jeomelia]

I installed a Hensley back in September and after a 5k trip, we can say it does make driving the trailer alot more relaxing, we do not notice the big rigs shoving us around like before.



The reason I went with the Hensley is that we will be doing alot of traveling and the wife wants to be able to tow. We have friends who were on the road and the wife never towed until her husband had some problems and could not drive and they had to get home.



Since the wife liked towing with it I did not get a hassel over the cost for that toy.



It is expensive but if you are towing a $20+-K trailer with a $35+K tow rig it is only 5% of the cost of the rigs.

 

[Loren]

I have no experience with the Hensley, but I have heard nothing but good things about it. Another product that may be comparable is the Pull-Rite hitch by Pulliam Enterprises. They make a sliding fifth-wheel hitch that I use for my short-bed truck.



Check www.pullrite.com.



www.pullrite.com



(My first time inserting a link. I hope this works. )



Loren

 

[BV]

The Hensley

I also heard they are very good and see that the price is healthier than my wallet.



Here is a good place to check for used hitches and other towing stuff:

http://www.hitchtrader.com/indexaemfg.html

 

[OILBRNR]

The Hensley video is really pretty interesting to watch. There is a FWD Chrysler, Intrepid perhaps, pulling a 34' triple axle Airstream through a slalom course! Read that last sentence again! Not to mention other onroad antics like semi passing, and off shoulder driving.



Everyone that I've spoke with, and threads that I've come across over the years all speak VERY highly of the product. (Uh, and they also say it is pricy. )



But, man after you see that 34'r stay right in line in that video, it really gives the impression that emergency manuvers would be much more successfull than with conventional systems. That 2k could be the best money you ever spent.



As a side note, I have their McKesh mirrors, and have been very pleased with them.

 

[Doc Tinker]

Thanks for the responses, gents.



I have the McKesh mirrors too and have been very pleased with them.



I can save the cost of shipping on the hitch, because the warehouse is close to me and I will be able to pick the Hensley up myself, so that will help.



Now I've just gotta look around for some stray cash. Where's that money tree?



Doc

 

[Doc Tinker]

Oh - I forgot to mention that I have only found one used Hensley for sale for $1800 plus shipping. I guess I might as well get a new one, for $2300 + tax - shipping and get the life time warranty that comes with the new one.



Doc

 

[Diese1nut]

Doc

You can ask if they have a demo unit, and they will take $200. 00 off. Then if they don't have one you can get a new one for the discounted price. That was what happened when I bought mine.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Doc,

About a month ago Hensley sent a card offering $300 off thirty odd number 2001 hitchs. I had already bought a used Hensley Arrow so I threw the offer away. Might ask for their end of the year sale. I've towed both TT's and 5th wheel before the Hensley and never would have believed that any hitch could perform the way the Hensley does. Highly recommend it!

 

[RobG]

Before anybody spends $2500 on the (IMO) vastly overpriced Hensley (which I don't doubt is a good product), you owe it to yourself to check out www.equalizerhitch.com first. You can get the same thing for $500.



I've owned and used the Equalizer Hitch for three years and _I_ swear by it. I don't get pushed around my semis, and major crosswinds simply do not affect me. I get zero trailer sway even if I put my car on at the very BACK of the trailer, leaving a full 6' of open flatbed deck ahead of it. Yes, I've done this specifically to find out if the thing would sway, and it doesn't.



This hitch rocks.



Rob

 

[OILBRNR]

Yeah, well, sorry, but the Hensley does not use friction to solve the sway issue, rather pure geometry.



Are they overpriced for the actual device, yes. However, you loose an 80k rig, you'll think different.

 

[Partyat33]

Hey Doc,



I let Mrs. Party drive it without a fancy hitch. Course, I have still have training wheels and my camper is only 32 feet long.



Dennis

 

[Diese1nut]

HENSLEY

Hey Rob

Were not talking about the occassional towing of a flat bed with a car on it. Not that the Hensley wouldn't be great for that, but Seeing this is an RV forum we are under the impression that Doc was looking for a hitch that he could safely haul his mobil living quarters around the country with with out ever having any fear that he would lose control. This is a hitch that anyone would be comfotable towing any size trailer with. Well Well worth the price.

 

[Charley]

For what it's worth. Was in the Holiday Rambler dealership in

Albuquerque one day and was looking at the 36 foot travel trailer with a living room slide out. I then had a 32 foot. The 36 foot trailers were kind of new and had already developed a reputation for going berserk and taking trailer and tow rig to the ditch. This dealer would not sell the 36 foot to anyone who did not have a Hensley or a Pullrite hitch because of it. Said it was Holiday Rambler policy.



Charley

 

[Diesel Gunner]

I will have to agree with the majority here. I bought a 26' Artic Fox in May and the Hensly Arrow. Had towed a much smaller trailer for many years that wore me out every time. Now I get where I'm going relaxed and in a good mood.



I will highly recommend the unit. Definitely worth the money. You know, "You gets whats youz payz for"