Choosing the right size WD+Sway hitch - Page 2

David472 · 02-13-2014, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salsa03

David, I see where you are going with your comment... but even with a 1000 / 10,000lbs WDH, I'll hit those same bumps on the road... the effect will be the same on the hitch receiver...

I'm not planning on overloading my TT beyond my truck or hitch capacity.... therefore I shouldn't have an issue...

Okay
The question becomes, which will flex or bend first, the spring bars or the receiver?
You may be fine, as others have said, I'm just saying, measure your receiver before hand, and watch this measurement over time. The receiver will tend to bend upwards. Better to be aware of what to watch for.
When reading the posts, be aware also that 2500 models have a beefier receiver.

Camper_bob · 02-13-2014, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David472

You will find your receiver is spec'd at 1,000 lbs in WDH mode.

On the 2012 Sierra, the receiver with WDH is spec'd higher than 1000. IIRC, it's 1150 with WDH. I don't know if the 2011 is lower for some reason, but I'm relatively certain of the rating on my receiver. I would walk outside and look at it, but I drove DW's X-Terra today...

David472 · 02-14-2014, 08:38 AM

A good friend of mine has a 2011 GMC half-ton pickup. His TT has a tongue weight around 1,000 lbs. He has a Hensley Arrow hitch. The hitch shop installing his HA recommended he beef up his receiver because it was flexing too much, not solid enough. He let them go ahead and do this modification. Many RVers don't think about this type of thing. I don't intend to be negative, but rather to bring attention to something that deserves attention.

Camper_bob · 02-14-2014, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David472

A good friend of mine has a 2011 GMC half-ton pickup. His TT has a tongue weight around 1,000 lbs. He has a Hensley Arrow hitch. The hitch shop installing his HA recommended he beef up his receiver because it was flexing too much, not solid enough. He let them go ahead and do this modification. Many RVers don't think about this type of thing. I don't intend to be negative, but rather to bring attention to something that deserves attention.

Definitely a good point. I know personally I didn't think much of it. I just looked at the specifications, determined I was within the listed specs and moved on. Perhaps that receiver deserves another look. It's a shame, I was under the truck last weekend with the wheels off, I would have had a great view to look for anything out of the ordinary...

Rustic Eagle · 02-14-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David472

snip.....The hitch shop installing his HA recommended he beef up his receiver because it was flexing too much, not solid enough....snip

I'm not surprised, the Hensley Arrow WDH is unique in design, very heavy, and can exhibit enhanced forces at a TV receiver's pin box. It also sounds like the combination of "around 1,000lb" TT tongue weight and the weight of the HA may have exceeded the receiver's 1,000lb WD weight limit ..... thus influencing the receiver modification (good recommendation by the hitch shop).

..... but the HA is another thread discussion.

Bob

Bob

1wayhighway · 02-22-2014, 12:55 PM

New owner of a 28 DSBH white hawk. Lots of great info here but just wondering if any one with similar trailer with the underslung hitch? What WDH do you use and do you have any pictures? I like the Reese dual cam but I'm a little worried about ground clearance.

Thanks

Rustic Eagle · 02-22-2014, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1wayhighway

snip....... wondering if any one with similar trailer with the underslung hitch?.....snip

Welcome to JOF

By "underslung hitch" are you referring to the 28DSBH's ball-coupler being welded to the bottom of the TT's A-frame?

Bob

1wayhighway · 02-22-2014, 06:00 PM

Yep

Rustic Eagle · 02-22-2014, 07:11 PM

I'm sure some White Hawk 28DSBH members will chime in shortly with specifics, but I don't believe you will have ground clearance issues with the Reese Strait-Line (w/Dual Cam) WDH when adjusted properly.

I know that 28DSBH members have been using both the Trunnion bar and Round bar style Strait-Line WDH's, along with the Equal-i-zer brand WDH, and I don't recall any ground clearance issues brought to light.

In general, the Reese Trunnion spring bars tend to be angled downward (spring bar tail lowest point), and the Reese Round spring bars tend to run parallel to the TT's A-frame (spring bar lowest point). It's possible to end up with the same overall ground clearance between to the two, because the round spring bars exit below the ball mount and the trunnion exit out the back of the ball mount.

Bob

Big Sky · 02-22-2014, 07:20 PM

I haven't installed this myself, but started looking at it after someone posted an issue with losing their trailer in a strong side wind. Personally we have and use the 1200/12,000 WD set up, along with a dual side, sway control set up. The Hensley Arrow is very intriguing and albeit expensive ($3,000.00). I don't know. We tow a great deal, and may end up with one of these. I wish I had known about it prior to spending money on a simple weight distribution and sway control set up. Check it out and make up your own mind. I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts about it.

http://hensleymfg.com/watch-video/yo...os-by-hensley/

David472 · 02-22-2014, 07:30 PM

The Hensley Arrow hitch needs the tires to have good traction to the road for it to works it's magic. If you're on icy and slippery roads in a strong cross wind, it won't help you as much as you would think. A very good hitch to be sure, but there are limits. If you're worried about costs, a used HA is worth hunting for. They can be had for a lesser price.

Skyron · 02-22-2014, 07:47 PM

Hensley introduced the lighter Hensley Cub model hitch system for light weight trailers recently.
The introductory price was around $1500.00. A fantastic price. I understand there is a Skylark out there with a Cub installation already... Apparently that Skylark in comparison to trailering before and after installation now has very superior handling as I was told.
FYI
Ron

LiftedAWDAstro · 02-28-2014, 06:01 AM

A slightly cheaper option than the Hensley is the Propride 3P. I bought one last year and towing is now completely different. I find the truck drives better towing with the Propride than it does empty. Side winds and tractor trailers are absolutely NO issues now.

Camper_bob · 02-28-2014, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiftedAWDAstro

A slightly cheaper option than the Hensley is the Propride 3P. I bought one last year and towing is now completely different. I find the truck drives better towing with the Propride than it does empty. Side winds and tractor trailers are absolutely NO issues now.

I told DW I needed the budget cleared to buy one of these. I almost got to stay in the trailer by myself for a couple nights!

Some day (hopefully sooner rather than later) I will convince her this is what we need...

Salsa03 · 02-28-2014, 09:37 AM

Camper Bob, I told my wife yesterday that we would go with the Equal-I-Zer....but that if I find the back end swaying too much, that I'll be ordering a ProPride 3P....

The Equal will cost me around 900$ and the ProPride is 3000$

Camper_bob · 02-28-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salsa03

Camper Bob, I told my wife yesterday that we would go with the Equal-I-Zer....but that if I find the back end swaying too much, that I'll be ordering a ProPride 3P....

The Equal will cost me around 900$ and the ProPride is 3000$

Yeah, if my setup were just a little worse, I would push harder for the Equalizer, or even just say eff-it and get the HA or ProPride. But as it is, there's nothing wrong with what I have, it's just not quite as optimal as I would like. I still do fine with the wind and the big rigs, so it's okay for now...

LiftedAWDAstro · 02-28-2014, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Yeah, if my setup were just a little worse, I would push harder for the Equalizer, or even just say eff-it and get the HA or ProPride. But as it is, there's nothing wrong with what I have, it's just not quite as optimal as I would like. I still do fine with the wind and the big rigs, so it's okay for now...

Wait until you are white knuckling it at 30 mph and the wife feels like she has a great chance to see you, her, the truck and camper spread across the ditch because of wind…the budget all of a sudden opens up!

All we had to do is travel 130 miles in 40 - 50 mph side gusts with me telling the wife we NEEDED a better hitch…she asked how soon I could have it at the house! Cost didn't matter when she felt like there was a pretty good chance we were going to wreck at any moment!

Camper_bob · 03-01-2014, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiftedAWDAstro

Wait until you are white knuckling it at 30 mph and the wife feels like she has a great chance to see you, her, the truck and camper spread across the ditch because of wind…the budget all of a sudden opens up!

All we had to do is travel 130 miles in 40 - 50 mph side gusts with me telling the wife we NEEDED a better hitch…she asked how soon I could have it at the house! Cost didn't matter when she felt like there was a pretty good chance we were going to wreck at any moment!

40-50 mph winds? Yeah, I would just stop. Hitch or no hitch, I'm not driving through that!

Truth be told, I could use another little white lie and tell her that it's actually really dangerous (it's not) and that I'm not willing to risk her safety. I know LOTS of little tricks to "open up the budget", and I'm not afraid to use them when I need to. I could just put it on the credit card with the air miles (we'll need to fly somewhere at some point

). One of those times where it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. In our world though, $2500-3000 is more forgiveness than I think she's capable of, but I might be able to get away with an Equalizer or a Reese at less than $600 without the threat of divorce. Either way, it's probably better to just use part of my bonus this year...

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