Clearly the Hensley vs. ProPride debate has been flogged to death, and I still think I'd be happy either way, but is there a clear front runner when it comes to doing a better job of distributing weight? Additionally, is there any merit to the claim that the Arrow is the better choice when towing a heavier trailer, whereas the 3P was designed for lighter trailers with surge brakes? Much obliged in advance for the wisdom!

They are nearly identicle hitches. They will both tow similarly. I personally would go Hensley...for me, it's not even close. I really like the solid stinger on the Hensley, I like the chain and snap up bracket option, I like the Hensley Cub option. For Lighter trailers, I like their refurb program, I like I can buy a used Hensley and transfer the lifetime warrenty on my used hitch for a price. In the end, both hitches are great. You really can't go wrong with either. Thanks!Jeremiah

rangerbait wrote:Additionally, is there any merit to the claim that the Arrow is the better choice when towing a heavier trailer, whereas the 3P was designed for lighter trailers with surge brakes? I have never heard this before, and don't think there is any merit to this statement. Both come with up to 1400 lb spring bars and will handle heavy trailers, both do the same job at distributing weight. Jim Hensley was the original designer of the Arrow, he sold the production rights early on to some investors who established Hensley Mfg. When his non-compete expired he teamed up with Sean Woodruff, a former Hensley Mfg employee, to form Pro-Pride. The 3P is the same basic design, but adds some things that Jim thought would make the Arrow better, like the adjustable stinger. You might call the 3P the Arrow 2.0.I have never towed with the 3P but from what I have read and from others here who have them, it is every bit as capable as the Arrow. Since the Arrow has been around a lot longer, there are more used units available. Hensley had (maybe they still do?) a program where they would pay $500 for any Arrow, sight unseen, as part of their owner buyback program. The then do a reman on the unit and resell it.Cost is the major issue with these hitches...if you are shopping used then buy the best deal you can find, either will do a great job for you.There's an Arrow for sale on Hitch Trader, located in Naples FL....not sure if that is close to you.

BurbMan wrote:rangerbait wrote:Additionally, is there any merit to the claim that the Arrow is the better choice when towing a heavier trailer, whereas the 3P was designed for lighter trailers with surge brakes? I have never heard this before, and don't think there is any merit to this statement. Both come with up to 1400 lb spring bars and will handle heavy trailers, both do the same job at distributing weight. From what I gather, the context of the statement pertained to the adjustable stinger in particular, and maybe a couple other design aspects of the 3P that Hensley thought would be good options for lighter duty applications. It's hard to sift through the hyperbole from loyalists on both sides to determine what the actual differences really are. You've been pretty satisfied with your setup, I take it?

Yes, extremely satisfied with my set up, but my choice was easy because ProPride wasn't around in 2002....I could be wrong but I thought the enhancements were just general usability items and not necessarily geared toward towing lighter trailers. Having an adjustable stinger to me is no big deal because my rig doesn't change. On the other hand if you had multiple vehicles that towed the same trailer, and adjustable stinger is probably handy. I don't think making it adjustable reduces the weight rating, just about every other WD has an adjustable head and they are rated for heavy trailers.

BurbMan wrote:Yes, extremely satisfied with my set up, but my choice was easy because ProPride wasn't around in 2002....I could be wrong but I thought the enhancements were just general usability items and not necessarily geared toward towing lighter trailers. Having an adjustable stinger to me is no big deal because my rig doesn't change. On the other hand if you had multiple vehicles that towed the same trailer, and adjustable stinger is probably handy. I don't think making it adjustable reduces the weight rating, just about every other WD has an adjustable head and they are rated for heavy trailers.If you were going to buy another hitch system in this class today, which would you choose?

Arrow vs. 3P: which one is better at distributing weight?

Lantley
Nomad
Apr 22, 2015
While I agree for the most part both hitches are identical. I do prefer the smaller stinger of the HA.
When I used the Hensley I really disliked moving the stinger just because it was so heavy.One of the great things about the HA and PP is there are not a lot of bars and things to carry and move around. Unfortunately you must still handle the stinger
I really would not like a heavier larger stinger. Since most of us don't change vehicles regularly the adjustable stinger is really not beneficial. The fact hat it is heavier and bulkier makes it a deal breaker.
I would not however pay a $500-$700 premium for a HA over a PP. If HA would not reduce there price, I would take the savings and go with the PP.
Lspangler
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
If you call each company they will price match. I have read where a few people got the PP hitch for $1900

I went with the Propride and I like it a lot. I added a handle to the top of the stinger and it doesn't seem all that heavy to me

One of the airstream forums has a great comparison of the two hitches. When comparing them side by side, the Hensley looks like it was cobbled together by a beginning welder while the PP looks to have automated welds and a finish you get from something factory produced

Whichever you buy will give you a great towing experience

Linc
rangerbait
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Lantley wrote:
While I agree for the most part both hitches are identical. I do prefer the smaller stinger of the HA.
When I used the Hensley I really disliked moving the stinger just because it was so heavy.One of the great things about the HA and PP is there are not a lot of bars and things to carry and move around. Unfortunately you must still handle the stinger
I really would not like a heavier larger stinger. Since most of us don't change vehicles regularly the adjustable stinger is really not beneficial. The fact hat it is heavier and bulkier makes it a deal breaker.

I've seen the weight comparison several times in various threads, but the weight of the 8" drop Hensley stinger is within 6lbs (42 vs 48) of the PP stinger assembly. My current WD hitch is 49lbs, and while it IS a PITA to carry around, I don't do it frequently enough for it to be a factor in my decision making process.

Lantley wrote:
I would not however pay a $500-$700 premium for a HA over a PP. If HA would not reduce there price, I would take the savings and go with the PP.

Yeah, they did both price match each other, and made offers that were significantly below MSRP. Competition is good for the consumer, and these guys are in a cage death match it seems.
rangerbait
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Lspangler wrote:
If you call each company they will price match. I have read where a few people got the PP hitch for $1900

I went with the Propride and I like it a lot. I added a handle to the top of the stinger and it doesn't seem all that heavy to me

One of the airstream forums has a great comparison of the two hitches. When comparing them side by side, the Hensley looks like it was cobbled together by a beginning welder while the PP looks to have automated welds and a finish you get from something factory produced

Whichever you buy will give you a great towing experience

Linc

Thanks Linc, do you happen to have a link to that forum?
rangerbait
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Ron Gratz wrote:
James C. Hensley was awarded a patent for the design of a hitch which could be used with a surge brake

However, part of the new mechanism which would allow for use of a surge brake was not incorporated into the PP hitch.

Therefore, I would say there is no merit in the claim the 3P was designed for lighter trailers with surge brakes.

Additional information can be found in this post.

Ron

Well, that info did come directly from Hensley, so I figured I might need to take it with a grain of salt.
rangerbait
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
mbutts wrote:
Sean of PP is absolutely unparalleled in customer service and support, too.

That's one of the reasons I decided to go with the 3P...Sean answered my call on a Sunday evening, and has been super quick to respond to emails.
BigFly10
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
rangerbait wrote:
mbutts wrote:
Sean of PP is absolutely unparalleled in customer service and support, too.

That's one of the reasons I decided to go with the 3P...Sean answered my call on a Sunday evening, and has been super quick to respond to emails.

My personal experience with Sean is that he was quick to respond to my emails and questions.........until I had actually purchased the hitch and then communications went silent.

I had some questions and issues that I was looking for help with shortly after installing and first using my 3P. I sent several emails and left Sean a voicemail - all went unanswered.

I know a lot of folks rave about the customer service from Sean, but my experience was not good.
rangerbait
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
BigFly10 wrote:
rangerbait wrote:
mbutts wrote:
Sean of PP is absolutely unparalleled in customer service and support, too.

That's one of the reasons I decided to go with the 3P...Sean answered my call on a Sunday evening, and has been super quick to respond to emails.

My personal experience with Sean is that he was quick to respond to my emails and questions.........until I had actually purchased the hitch and then communications went silent.

I had some questions and issues that I was looking for help with shortly after installing and first using my 3P. I sent several emails and left Sean a voicemail - all went unanswered.

I know a lot of folks rave about the customer service from Sean, but my experience was not good.

I've read the same criticism of Hensley, that they're heavily sales-biased, but not nearly as Johnny on the spot when it comes to CS. The bottom line is they both seem to function similarly, and both seem to be high quality products. I'm satisfied with the amount of research I've committed to the hitch buying process, and am ready to move on to more fulfilling pursuits, such as debating whether or not to replace my incandescent bulbs with LEDs :B
Lspangler
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
rangerbait wrote:
Lspangler wrote:
If you call each company they will price match. I have read where a few people got the PP hitch for $1900

I went with the Propride and I like it a lot. I added a handle to the top of the stinger and it doesn't seem all that heavy to me

One of the airstream forums has a great comparison of the two hitches. When comparing them side by side, the Hensley looks like it was cobbled together by a beginning welder while the PP looks to have automated welds and a finish you get from something factory produced

Whichever you buy will give you a great towing experience

Linc

Thanks Linc, do you happen to have a link to that forum?

It's a lot to read but interesting

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464/the-unofficial-pp-users-guide-57179.html
rangerbait
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Lspangler wrote:

It's a lot to read but interesting

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464/the-unofficial-pp-users-guide-57179.html

Excellent reference...thanks!

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Arrow vs. 3P: which one is better at distributing weight?

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