Hensley Cub Installation

[Skyron]

I need advice regarding installing a Hensley Cub I purchased. Is this adding too much stress and weight? The TT hitch is structurally sound on the TV. Plan the installation in April.
TV is a Toyota 4Runner with 7000# towing TT max.
TT is a 3500# 2012 FKV Skylark with 420# tongue Wt.
Includes 345# cargo. The TT channel frame is reasonable structurally but some what on the light side.
The Hensley Cub weighs approx. 150# v.s. the Reese 66151 at approx. 75#.*

I grateful for the positive information contributed on this Forum.
Ron

[Crabman]

Moved into new thread for better exposure to forum members.

[Seann45]

Ron it will work just fine they are great things to have on your RV. The very best advice I can give you is to read the instruction manual now.. and reread it several times before you start the install. Then have it open with you as you do the install. Go through all the parts and make sure they are all there. Good luck ..happy towing

[Rustic Eagle]

To address some of your concerns, I would first suggest contacting Jayco directly about the incorporation of the Hensley Cub on the Skylark's A-frame. The Jayco Skylark utilized many lightweight design considerations, and there may be some known WDH limitations with the Skylark's A-frame design that Jayco can confirm.

Like with any WDH proper sizing and adjustment is key to it's effectiveness. Based on a positive response from Jayco, I would then plan on taking your TV/TT under loaded conditions to your local CAT scale for a weigh-in. The CAT scale data will confirm your loaded tongue weight, confirm that you are within the weight limits stamped on your TV's receiver hitch, impact on TV payload capacity, within TV & TT GVWR, etc.. The CAT data will also confirm that your Cub is adjusted properly distributing the proper weights.

The one thing I wouldn't recommend when using any WDH is exceeding the weight limitations of one's TV receiver hitch. All WDH's utilize leverage via the TV's receiver to distribute weight.., but do to the unique design of the Hensley WDH it can exhibit enhanced forces via the TV's receiver.

CAT Scale how-to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv

Bob

[Skyron]

Thanks for the replies and and advise about installing the Hensley Cub on our Skylark.
I followed up on Rustic Eagle's advice. I called Jayco's technical department and was told there is no WDH test data available or WDH limitations for any WDH manufacturer's hitch available for the Skylak TT. This applies to any WDH. I understand this well because it would open Jayco to liability issues.
I believe Seann has the best solution for now. Common sense will rule.

Ron

V8 Toyota 4runner. 2012 FKV Skylark, Honda 2000 Gen. 600 watt inverter.

[Rustic Eagle]

Great that you touched based with Jayco, at least they don't have a known concern.

I do know that Jayco has put WDH maximum rating labels on some of the lite-weight A-frames, but sounds like it isn't an issue with the Skylark A-frame, plus the Cub isn't a high weight range WDH.

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Ron,

I found the past JOF thread that prompted some of my earlier comments. I'm not trying to steer you away from the Hensley, just forwarding additional data that may help address your initial questions/concerns. Please note post #3 in the following JOF thread:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...hlight=skylark

Bob

[Skyron]

Hensley Cub hitch installation report.
Hensley was supportive sending additional photos of other Cub installations on Skylarks with more install support and guidance. I did read the Hensley Cub Installation Manual a number of times which is a must.
The installation time was several hours. The assembly went together in an orderly fashion and very pleased. Vehicle and TT level.

The Hensley Cub Hitch assembly is designed for TT tongue weight maximum of 600 pounds.
We gave the Hensley a run this past weekend. The Reese 66151 was very good but truly this better.

Ron M.

[Rustic Eagle]

Ron,

Good to hear that your Cub installation went well, and that the first trip out was a success

If you get a chance sometime visit a CAT scale for a weigh-in....., the information will confirm if any minor adjustments need to be made with the HA.

Thanks for the follow-up, very helpful for those considering similar decisions.

Bob

[Skyron]

We enjoyed a 2000 + km. vacation trip around the north shore of the Great Lakes, the EAA Aviation Convention at Oskosh, Wisconsin also Mackinac Island.
The Hensley Cub WD Hitch performed as Hensley reports. The engineering of this hitch is spectacular. I am very comfortable with my wife driving now. The TV drives rock solid with a Hensley on the Skylark hitch.

Being proactive I welded a light steel angle brace from the tow vehicle's main frame each side to the TV hitch receiver to resist any side thrusts transferred to the TV from the hitch.

Ron M.

[Seann45]

Welcome to the Hensley club Ron

[perfpix]

I love our Hensley Cub too! I'm pretty much maxed out on my TV but with the Cub the rig feels solid. Much more stable than my last camper in the 90's pulled with a 1/2 ton pickup and Reese WDH/Sway.

How was Oshkosh? Have you been there before? I knocked that off my bucket list in 2001. Me and my family tent camped with 25,000 of our closest friends at the show that year I was in heaven all week. And although my family are not into Airshows like I am, they had a great time and still talk about the trip to this day. My son and I were sitting along the flight line one of the days and Chuck Yeager and Bud Anderson landed the P-51's they had been flying taxied over to the middle of the flight line, about were we were sitting, jumped out and started shaking hands. What a thrill!

John

[Skyron]

Thanks for the replies.
P e r f I x ; this is #7 excursion to the EAA Convention.
I have both a fixed and heli license . Recently sold my homebuilt aircraft so instead by air and a tent I now enjoy the luxury of a Jayco Skylark with a bed and fridge.
Re one week at EAA; 10,000 plus aircraft arrived in several days making Wittman Airfield the busiest in the world and the aircraft remained for the week. Numerous restored warbirds. There were more the 500,000 in attendance with fields and fields of campers. Many exhibitors, forums, and etc. I understand there were 7000 portable toilets where needed. The one week EAA show was pretty much run by volunteers. Well organized and great air shows with 2 awesome air shows after dark. JohnDeere provided tractors and etc for tram transportation. Ford was a great contributor as well. Cirrus provided a fireworks show thar was Hard to beat. The Thunderbirds provided thunderous act.
A great holiday
Ron M.