ProPride 3P and wind

[Kash76]

I have an Equal-i-zer 4 point WDH currently and yesterday we experienced our first pull with some good wind gusts. Four times some large gusts really pushed me over. There were many times looking in my side mirrors where I could see the back and swaying.

I would really like to target responses from PP users that have come from Equal-i-zer or similar hitches with this question....

Is the PP really going to stop the sway or being pushed hard versus what I have now with the Equal-i-zer? Please share you experiences with the PP or Hensley.

Thanks.

[Ripley711]

I purchased a 26ft Salem and was very concerned about trailer sway, especially due to my very short wheelbase on my 4Runner. After much research and talking with Sean at PP, I decided to purchase the hitch from him. At $2300 it was alot to shell out, but figuring it was easy to put on and I would save the install cost the dealer wanted to charge me for the EZ-4 setup. Sean even mention that the unit can be moved to another TT down the road, and they sell used all day long for $1800. And if it did not work, Sean has a trial period for you. So after install, which I must say was no problem, I took the trailer for a ride. The day was only a few weeks ago, but we had a storm rolling in and the wind gusts were variable and high enough to keep the flags out straight. With my wife behind me in another vehicle, we went down the local expressway. At 65mph the TT did not move at all, it tracked right behind me. My fingertips were just on the steering wheel and the truck acted like there was nothing there. The TT weighs 4500# dry and my TV has a GVW of 7000#. I will be more than willing to send you photos if you want, but I am a believer in this product. Look at this way, you have over $30k invested in your TV and another $35k in your TT, why be foolish and not use a proper connection between them. All other brands "control" the sway, the PP setup "eliminates" it. The PP is the next design of the Hensley hitch. Some additional design improvements were made to an already good design which makes it an even better product.

[Itsthetwoofus]

Originally Posted by Kash76

I have an Equal-i-zer 4 point WDH currently and yesterday we experienced our first pull with some good wind gusts. Four times some large gusts really pushed me over. There were many times looking in my side mirrors where I could see the back and swaying.

I would really like to target responses from PP users that have come from Equal-i-zer or similar hitches with this question....

Is the PP really going to stop the sway or being pushed hard versus what I have now with the Equal-i-zer? Please share you experiences with the PP or Hensley.

Thanks.

I don't know about the PP but I can tell you for sure that the Hensley will not let you get blown around and it will stop all sway.
We pulled from MI to AZ one time with a weight distributing hitch and friction sway control thing with our Rockwood TT and it was a scary ride, and I drove a semi for 30 years, The suck and push is enough to scare the he-be-gee-bees out of ya, and the wind was awful...Then I got wise to the Hensley and the next year there was no suck and push, no wind problems (same truck). The Hensley was a life saver and I'd never pull a TT with out one.
Then we changed to the 5th wheel and a heavier truck and traded in my Hensley for the Hensley BD-3 trailer saver hitch. Hensley is a bit pricey but can you really put a price tag on safety and piece of mind? It will be the best money spent to get one for your towing safety.
They say don't control sway, eliminate it with a Hensley...That's true.

[Campingnut]

I would not tow another TT without a Hensley or ProPride period. Well worth the money.

[Kash76]

Suck and push is a great explanation of what was happening.

Thank you for the feedback. Keep it coming please.

[MtnGuy]

Kash, that is a 35' travel trailer you are pulling with a 1/2 ton pickup.

Some questions:

Even though you have the maximum tow package on your truck, do you have the maximum payload package also ??

Do you have the 5.5 or 6.5 bed on your Crew Cab ??

What is the rating on your Equalizer spring bars ??

Have you done the fender measurements as outlined in your Equal-i-zer instruction manaual, or done some weigh-ins to make sure your Equal-i-zer is setup correctly ??

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Kash76]

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

Kash, that is a 35' travel trailer you are pulling with a 1/2 ton pickup.

Some questions:

Even though you have the maximum tow package on your truck, do you have the maximum payload package also ??

Yes, Max Tow bought me an additional 400lbs of payload

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

Do you have the 5.5 or 6.5 bed on your Crew Cab ??

5.5

[QUOTE=MtnGuy;448548]
What is the rating on your Equalizer spring bars ??
[QUOTE]
10,000/1,000

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

Have you done the fender measurements as outlined in your Equal-i-zer instruction manaual, or done some weigh-ins to make sure your Equal-i-zer is setup correctly ??

No, but the level of the truck and the measurements as defined by the instructions are in range.

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks for the response. I did some research and found two others with this same combination of truck and camper on camping forums with positive comments. One of these users has the ProPride. Also, I know that based on the divide by 5 rule that I am over on length of my camper based on the wheel base.

[MtnGuy]

Kash, looks like you have covered the bases. Other than a bigger, longer wheelbased truck, your best bet is probably the ProPride or Hensley hitch.

If you are running P rated tires, LT tires may help some, but not sure that would be enough.

[Kash76]

Thank you Sir.

I have already purchased Michelin LT tires based on a recommendation from my uncle. It sounds like the Hensley model will complete my puzzle.

[Ripley711]

You won't be disappointed with Jim Hensley's design, but I would suggest you look at the ProPride design. The height adjustment on the towers is easier to reach, from my research the powder coating is a better quality and the key item is the adjustable hitch height. No more games sending hitches back and forth to find the right height. Also the adjustable height allows movement from one vehicle to another.

[Kash76]

Yep, I will go with the ProPride due to the newer design and lower costs.

[Ripley711]

Kash76 you won't be disappointed. Please tell Sean we talked, he was a very big decision maker for me, due to the short wheelbase of my 4Runner. Not the best tow vehcile by any means, but the PP makes it possible.
Darryl Pereira

[Campingnut]

Sean was great to deal with when I bought mine.