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05-25-2018, 03:06 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 63
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V-Nose trailer sway and hensley hitch
I just pulled my 2017 274VFK out of storage and will coming home had two semi trucks pass me, which resulted in major trailer sway. I mean trailer swayed into the neighboring lane.
I was using the standard WDH and already have installed a friction control sway bar.
After researching a lot of options and talking to several people, I have learned that v-nose travel trailers are prone to sway issues. Additionally, the Hensley Swift arrow hitch is the best at preventing sway.
Does anyone out there use a Hensley hitch? If so what is your opinion?
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05-25-2018, 03:21 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London, Kentucky
Posts: 630
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I had your same problems. Hensley solved them all. I now have a fifth wheel but will not sell my Hensley at any price, in case I ever go back to a bumper pull trailer.
The hitch is worth every penny you will pay for it. The safety factor is unbelievable.
They sell new and remanufactured units. I bought mine off of Craigslist used and saved enough to buy Hensley’s lifetime warranty.
Travel safe
__________________
2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty CC Dually 6.7 Diesel
2011 Cedar Creek 36CKTS Touring Edition
I Catch Fish......What is your SuperPower?
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05-25-2018, 03:28 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
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There is one for sale in the classified....I have a ProPride and is worth the cost.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ly-160457.html
__________________
Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
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05-25-2018, 03:34 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 42
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I have a Propride 3P which is the same design as the Hensley, towing a 35 ft Windjammer 3008 with a F250. No sway issues over the last 5 week trip on interstates, being passed by trucks and in crosswinds. I can feel the entire rig moving sideways as a unit in severe crosswinds, but I can look in my mirrors and see the trailer and truck are straight with one another.
The only time I can detect any hint of sway is on a downhill interstate bend where the truck has to initiate some turn. Even then it is a “less secure feeling” in the steering wheel as opposed to swaying of the trailer. It is quickly damped out either by the hitch mechanism or the F250 sway control.
Hope this helps. My parents experienced a major trailer sway incident on the way to Italy when I was 11. It’s a moment I’ve never forgotten which is why I bought a Propride and never bothered trying anything else first.
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05-25-2018, 03:34 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 21
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I "had" the same problem you're having prior to getting my Hensley. If I wasn't paying attention being passed by a semi, I would almost be pulled into their lane. Since I installed the Hensley I don't have to worry about that anymore. NO, movement whats so ever... I bought mine used from a friend. BTW, If you buy a used one, you can call Hensley and get the lifetime warranty for a cost $$.
They really do work!
__________________
2016 Tracer Air 235
2014 GMC Sierra
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05-25-2018, 03:50 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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Hensley's also solve both world hunger and world peace.
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05-25-2018, 03:53 PM
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#7
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,293
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I use the 4point Equalizer WDH and solved all my problems. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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05-25-2018, 04:39 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Frederica DE
Posts: 1,223
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We started with Andersen quickly went to Blue Ox sway pro then to Hensley. BO was better than the first hitch, but the Hensley was by far more superior. Then came the 3/4 T truck I thought I would go back to the BO. So I did just that for one trip NOPE Hensley was still the better way to go.
__________________
2016 Ford F250 XLT 4X4 6.2L
2015 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8329SS
Hensley Arrow
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05-25-2018, 05:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Centex
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno23
I just pulled my 2017 274VFK out of storage and will coming home had two semi trucks pass me, which resulted in major trailer sway. I mean trailer swayed into the neighboring lane.
I was using the standard WDH and already have installed a friction control sway bar.
After researching a lot of options and talking to several people, I have learned that v-nose travel trailers are prone to sway issues. Additionally, the Hensley Swift arrow hitch is the best at preventing sway.
Does anyone out there use a Hensley hitch? If so what is your opinion?
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I use an Equalizer 1200/12000 on our Wj3006. No issues. I'd like to see a comparison of an equalizer and a Hensley. For the money the Equalizer is the winner. I mean $700 or $3000, seems like an easy choice to me.
For the record friction sway bars are better used as boat anchors.
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05-25-2018, 05:40 PM
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#10
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Senior Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 288
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I've pulled my Flagstaff V-nose TT all over the USA. Probably have logged well over 30K miles in the past three years. I use a Fastway E2 WDH. Never had an issue with sway. I follow this and another RV message board and don't recall hearing any issues concerning major sway due to the v-nose design.
My secret.... pulling a 6500 lb TT with a 8000 lb truck. Really cuts down on tail wagging dog issues.
I seriously doubt the V-nose design is more apt to cause trailer sway. I know for sure it does not increase your fuel mileage.
__________________
2015 Flagstaff Super V 26VFKSS Emerald... SOLD
Now camping with a new SOB Winnebago pulled by a 2021 Ford Ranger.
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05-25-2018, 05:40 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 75
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I love my Hensley. Well worth the $ to me.
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05-25-2018, 06:06 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Deland, Florida
Posts: 354
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I knew they solved a lot of problems but did not know about world hunger and world peace.
__________________
Rockwood 2604WS
Ford F250 Diesel
Blue Ox Sway Pro
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05-25-2018, 07:09 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Centex
Posts: 182
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I agree. It's really silly to think a v nose trailer is more prone sway and spending $3k on a hitch is silly too.
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05-25-2018, 07:28 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vmax
I agree. It's really silly to think a v nose trailer is more prone sway and spending $3k on a hitch is silly too.
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Interesting how I ask the opinions of those people who USE Hensley hitches. Yet I get the opionions of those who never used one or even research one.
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05-25-2018, 07:33 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Centex
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno23
Interesting how I ask the opinions of those people who USE Hensley hitches. Yet I get the opionions of those who never used one or even research one.
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Used no. Researched,yes. I won't charge you for my advice on the equalizer and you're welcome. Forum, what a concept.
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05-25-2018, 09:41 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Irma, Wisconsin
Posts: 174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno23
I just pulled my 2017 274VFK out of storage and will coming home had two semi trucks pass me, which resulted in major trailer sway. I mean trailer swayed into the neighboring lane.
I was using the standard WDH and already have installed a friction control sway bar.
After researching a lot of options and talking to several people, I have learned that v-nose travel trailers are prone to sway issues. Additionally, the Hensley Swift arrow hitch is the best at preventing sway.
Does anyone out there use a Hensley hitch? If so what is your opinion?
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Now all y'all got.me thinking.
I've been pining after a Hensley or a propride, but I owned a reese trunion bar WDH.
I looked at the straight line, which I have heard very little about in these forums.
I contacted reese, and bought the the additional cam arms and dumped the friction sway brake.
First pull was only 35 miles, but it seemed to work well.
Any one else using straight line cam type?
__________________
2018 Salem 27DBK/2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie
Days past:1996 Coachman Capri-Ruby Ed. 27DS
2004 Ram Quad 1500
1995 GMC Yukon Sport
1986 Jayco1016PUP
Days Camped:'13-10 '14-20 '15-6 '16-9 '17-14 '18-3 '19-12 '20-14 '21-12
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05-26-2018, 09:25 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,219
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Tons of people use the Reese Cam system. Never read a story of anyone being disappointed with it.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
EQUALIZER E4 1200/12000
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05-26-2018, 09:35 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,219
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Dano,
If you got 2.5K laying around get a Hensley or Propride. Do you need one? Heck no. Any hitch with integrated sway control will solve your problem. If you want one, get one. Personally I would rather back up and line up with the ball, rather than backing up into the stinger. Both of those hitches are the top of the line and their prices reflect that.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
EQUALIZER E4 1200/12000
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05-26-2018, 10:08 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,033
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I think the most telling set of posts are from folks who have had SOB hitches and then got a ProPride or Hensley. Granted, there will be some bias to justifying the purchase price. You decide.
My view, friction sway control is less effective than the dual cam or Blue Ox style. Dual Cam and Blue Ox are less effective than the Hensley design. All provide a level of control and add to your safety. The Hensley site has a video of a trailer being driven over the edge of a road and back on. I suspect other designs would not allow as graceful a recovery.
There is also a u-tube out there showing a lab test of a Hensley design (not an actual hitch) with the "trailer" badly loaded, excessive weight behind the axle, the trailer would not misbehave. Similar tests with a ball hitch were scary.
I compare the hitch types to brakes. Drum brakes are effective and low cost. Disc brakes are more expensive, more complex, but stop faster and with less fade.
You pay your money and you take your chances.
I personally prefer the ProPride version - the jacks on the hitch allow much more precise dialing in of weight distribution and with a battery drill driver, very quick and easy to use.
Lastly, I don't see how a stinger is harder than lining up a ball, especially if your TV has a backup camera.
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
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05-26-2018, 10:08 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 292
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I pull our Windjammer 3006WK with a Ram 2500 diesel using a Reese dual-cam, and have not experienced any issues. The Reese worked great on our prior trailer, so that’s what I chose for the Windjammer.
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