School me on 5th wheel hitches please

dlleno wrote:

ReneeG wrote:
Well, not one of you mentioned the Hensley TrailerSaver hitches. We've had the BD3 model from the onset of getting our FW and wouldn't tow with anything else. It's an air ride hitch and easily removed. Costly? Yes, but for us well worth it.

As a prospective/hopeful new 5ver owner, this solution interests me, especially with today's factory puck hitch systems. the BD5 appears to match up to Ford and GMs puck system just as the Companion does. At the risk of thread drift I would like to know more about the hensley:

* does it eliminate the need for a mor ride or similar pinbox?

* is this one really the premiere and most effective solution for the problems it is meant to address?

*a BD5 that fits the RAM puck system would be nice...

Bouncing and chucking forces are created by the trailer. Some trailers are better or worse than others. As the trailer rotates around an axis when the tires sequentially go over a bump the pin will push down and forward at the same time, then raise and retract.

If you are looking at a long fifth wheel which will most likely have more bouncing forces than chucking forces a BD3 or BD5 would be the hitch of choice. These work particularly well combined with a MORryde pin box.

If you chose a shorter trailer then the amount of chucking forces will increase relative to bouncing forces due to a larger hitch angle. The TS3 would be the hitch of choice due to the high hinge design. As the trailer's pin pushes down and forward the hitch compresses and retracts dissipating both of the forces. With the BD3 and BD5 the chucking forces of the trailer are still pushing against the solid vertical stanchions.

The TS3 is an ingenious design and I am am a believer. My trailer went from terrible chucking with a Patriot to a very pleasurable tow. Another advantage of the TS3 is braking safety. As you stop the TS3 pushes down on the rear of the truck to further load the rear tires. If you get a rear hinged pin box with air bag it will serve to lift the rear and unload the rear tires during panic stopping. An air hitch will also protect your trailer's frame and welds in addition to the electronics in both your truck and trailer. Your back and bottom will also thank you. I can't figure why so many people are sold on solid joint hitches.