Hensley Arrow and Dualls - make sense?

[dlbuchanan]

Is there any reason to pay the extra $$$ for a Hensley Arrow hitch now that I have a dually van? Or should I just get a basic $200 weight distributing hitch.

The last time I made a long trip with my old van (E350 Powerstroke SRW) I was pulling a 16', 8,000lb cargo trailer cross country and the trucks (Ford rangers and larger) blew me all over the road. I had not done the research to know about weight distributing hitches or sway control hitches.

After reading this site in preparation for another long trip with a much larger trailer (26', 10-12K lbs) - I planned to order the Hensley Arrow. A couple of days ago I found a nice E350 with dualls and bought it. Should the dualls take care of any advantage I would get out of the Hensley Arrow?

The trailer is a tandem axle enclosed cargo trailer. I am using the trailer to move, and plan to keep the trailer and go into the moving business.

Thanks for any suggestions or information,
Don

[drcampbell]

I haven't towed with one, but the four-bar linkage of the Arrow is incredibly ingenious. I really had one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments when I looked at their design.

Their claim sounds incredible at first glance: The truck can initiate a turn but the trailer can not. So I got out my old textbooks and notes on mechanisms (I'm pretty good with thermal work and energy conversion, but I skated through the one required class on mechanisms) and found out, much to my surprise, that's exactly how this linkage works. It's asymetrical in design and it's asymetrical in behavior.

(Illustration at http://www.hensleymfg.com/arrowdetails.htm if you'd like to follow along, although you may need to build a working model to really understand how it works)

Dual rear wheels will offer double the tire/road contact patch are and will resist sway and jackknifing better. The Hensley Arrow will prevent the trailer from inducing sway or jackknifing. They're not really the same thing.

With as much as Hensley charges, I can understand the hesitation. Then again, they offer a 60-day trial period. Remember Henny Youngman being asked why divorces cost so much, and replying "Because they're worth it."? I think the Arrow might also be. (and at the same time, I'm sure they enjoy their profit margins)

I ordered their free video, which was 98% useless sales pitches and testimonials, but there were a few seconds here & there where they showed how the hitch works, (which are also largeley useless without a background in mechanisms & kinematics) and some dramatic clips of panic stops. I dunno about you, but when I'm towing a big trailer, I panic a little bit every time I need to make even a normal stop. (Whoa, big fella, whoa) Being able to jam the brake pedal to the stops without worrying about seeing the back of the trailer in the front windshield has to be worth something.

If I was going to be towing regularly, I think I'd spring for it. But since they offer a 60-day trial period, why not take them up on it and see for yourself? If you don't like it, you're not out anything.

[Ehammond]

I own and tow with a Hensley and it really works. If I had a dually I think I'd go for the Equalizer. I chose to put money in the Hensley instead of a dually so I could have a more maneuverable truck in close parking lots. I think you would be fine with the Equalizer and duals.

[Diesel_Danny]

I tow my 34 foot Airstream (9,800 pounds) using a Hensley. The tow is rock solid steady under all conditions. Worth every penny.

[207]

I own a Hensley and and can confidently say that I bought the hitch thinking that I would return it after the test period as it "couldn't be that much better".

Well I wouldn't let them BUY it back from me now. Having towed almost exactly what you are towing (30 ft 10K) with both an equalizer and a Hensley, there is no comparison.

There is no movement from the trailer unless I initiate it from turning the truck. No movement from meeting or passing a semi and the truck and trailer seem to be tied together and moving more like one unit than a combination.

Is it expensive, yeah. Add the cost of my Ex and the cost of my trailer together and adding the Hensley doesn't seem like much for the advantage and confidence that the Hensley will give you.

Give it a try and I bet you will not send it back!!

[USBuilt]

Have you looked at the Pull Rite hitch? I had one on my F-350 towing a 33 foot TT and it worked great? Virtually no trailer sway. My wife even pulled it five hours to Gattlinburg. There are other advantages, since the trailer hitch swivels you can turn around in an incredibly small area. My only concern was the tires popping off the wheels (never happened).

I havent priced one in a while but it may be worth checking into. I think it's a good bit less expensive that the Hensley.
http://pullrite.com/

[ABrown134]

I purchased a used Hensley last August after being talked into it by a friend. Let's just say he is an even better friend now.
Having pulled travel/cargo/boat and utility trailer with every conceivable setup, I was pretty confident that the dual cam setup was the best way to go. That was before I installed the Hensley.
No sway at all. Just doesn't happen. 32ft of TT behind me, and crosswinds, semis or uneven roads don't affect it at all. I paid $1,000 for mine used; quite a steal. Would I have paid new retail price for it? I would now...

Aaron

[ramv]

After towing the 14-15K 34' trailer behind a SRW and dually, with an Equalizer hitch, I have to say I wouldn't spend any money over the $400 for the Equalizer on a hitch if I had a dually. You seriously never notice the trailer is there, except for a lack of power. Even on icey roads, it doesn't push or sway.