To PullRite for a TT or not?

[MojaveJoe]

Wondering if the additional expense ($2500 +/-) for a PullRite hitch for a TT is worth the investment?



The concept makes sense, but Im interested in the personal experiences of you gents out there that have used one or know someone who has.



Using the stock factory hitch I will be towing a 34ft total length TT, with a hitch wt of 1200 and a GVWR of 12000, behind an '04 3500 SRW w/48RE. Considering the overall weight and strength of the tow vehicle, would I notice any real benefits if I upgrade to PullRite?



All experiences and opinions welcome.

 

[R-N-R]

I agree the PullRite makes sense. What turned me away a when I was shopping couple of years ago was the PullRite being vehicle specific. A year after I purchased the Hensley unit, which is transferable, I traded my 1500 for a 2500. I went with The Hensley unit due to user ytestimonials and because is is transferable from vehicle to vehicle.



How is the turning radius on the PullRite?



When I was shoppping, the PullRite was $1600 compared to the Hensley at $2500. I've read here on the TDR that the Reese Dual Cam product is also a good design.



Either product, No Sway is really cool!



Good luck,

Bill

 

[Casey Balvert]

Both the Pullrite and the Hensley place the trailer pivot point or fulcrum behind the rear axle, in effect making it handle like a fifth wheel and eliminating sway. With the trailer weight you have, one of these makes sense and you will thank yourself for a wise decision with every cross wind and every time a truck passes you. It makes the effort of towing much more manageable.



If you are going to keep your truck for a few years the Pullrite makes sense, if you trade every couple of years the Hensely makes sense. I have a Pullrite fifth wheel hitch that I am very happy with and found Pullrite's customer service to be second to none. Just my two cents.



Casey

 

[Fireman]

I haven't used one, but D. A. Hare has. He has owned an Airstream dealership and repair center for 50 yrs. and wouldn't tow anything with any hitch but a Pullrite. He has Pullrite hitches on all of his tow vehicles. His famous quote is "spend your money on a good hitch, and if you have any left over buy a trailer"

That's all I know,
Fireman

 

[ISB RAMBO]

MojaveJoe, I used to have the 20,000# version on my 78 Dodge truck for a few years so I can honestly give you my opinion on the pull-rite hitch.

Good

* It works just like they say with very little sway.

Not so Good

* The old hitch would not fit on my new truck due to differences in the width of the frame. (money down the drain)

* It is much more difficult to hook the trailer up to the truck than a conventional hitch with a sway bar. The truck must be aligned almost perfectly with the trailer or the bars will not attach easily. (The pull-rite video shows misalignment to be not a problem - don't believe it!)

* You will loose the place for the spare tire

* The safety chains attach to the pull-rite swing arm and not to the truck (you may consider this good if you want the trailer to go off by itself)

* It takes more swing to back in a trailer due to the extra length to the swivel point

* At least in my case, the dual exhaust outlets had to be change from back of the wheels to front of them - It's a pretty big hitch

* You will loose rear ground clearance. I got my 78 stuck on a beach when I sunk it to the hitch

It's a great hitch for towing just be aware of pitfalls. If I were to spend that type of money again, I'd go with a Hensley. Right now I have the heavy duty Equal-izer hitch and it's great - almost as good as the pull-rite.

Stan

 

[Dean Upson]

I don't know about the TT hitch other that how it works, but I am sure impressed with the quality of my fiver hitch. As Casey says, their customer service is great, too.



Dean

 

[Roger rodbolt]

You may have to shop a bit but there are used Hensley Arrow hitches at attractive prices. I bought mine from a fellow selling his Holiday Rambler that had only been towed to a lake/park and permanently unpinned! I agree with ISB Rambo that loosing your spare tire space is tough with the Pullrite. There is a older review/test of the Pullrite and Hensley hitches on one of the RV websites. I think it was done by Trailer Life tweny or more years ago. If I remember correctly both hitches towed about the same and handled well. The Hensley was slightly favored but I don't recall why. Larry

 

[Fireman]

Joe,



It probably won't help you, since you will have such a new truck, but look on Hitch trader .com. You can find some really good deals there on any kind of hitch imagimable. I had a special hitch to sell, and had it sold in no time on hitch trader. Good site, check it out.



Fireman

 

[KPerkins]

If anyone is interested I have a nos. pullrite I would like to sell. I towed with one on a older suburban and loved it. I bought this hitch for my '98 then decided to go to 5ver. They have a universal mount so should be easy to adapt to any truck. You will have to move your spare and alter the exhaust.

 

[RedRamer]

Hi Joe;

I've been pulling with a PullRite for 2 yrs now.

I tell you, once you're on the highway or gravel roads, it's like there's no trailer behind you. I never look back anymore because I know where it is, always right behind me. It never sways an inch. If you meet a transport on 2 laners, the whole truck and trailer does a little side shift at the same time. Hit the shoulders and it's right behind you. It's great pulling with it and it does what I expected it to do. It think it also helps keep the truck straight down the road because once I'm cruising, I hardly adjust the wheel to keep it straight.

Now I can't comment on the other ones as I read they do just as well, but this one I can tell you works.



Some of the pitasses are...

I found mine used and back then they were solid metal so I had to re- fabricate the mountings for my Dodge. Good thing anyway cause the previous owner had it mounted wrong and way too low. Also put on 4 new rollers.

The exhaust was re-routed straight out the back - see pic.

The spare tire must go.



As far as hooking up goes, you always want to make sure you unhook with the struck and trailer lined up straight cause that's the only way I can hook back up. Takes about the same time as anything else with torsion bars.



Turning is the same as with a 5er cause your pivot point in now behind the axle. Took me some time to stop jumping curbs in town.

Backing up you need wider turns for the same reason but it's a lot easier than with a standard trailer cause the movements don't happen as fast. The wife still needs a bit of training though



Last thing is you have to bolt and unbolt the swing arm to the radius after and before every use.



Would I buy it again. I'd like to try out the other ones only to see if they work as good then compare on prices, because to work any better than this one, they'd have to weld the trailer to the back of the truck.



Oh ya... you get a lot of stares too cause when you're not pulling, everyone wants to know why your hitch is over on the shoulder.



denis



somehow I can't seem to put up the picture but if you need it send me a message and your e-mail.