Not owning a TT, but curious to know what the differences are (if any) between a WD hitch and a Hensley Arrow? Are they same thing? Have always read where a HA is super in keeping TT sway down, but I always was under the impression a WD does the same thing. If different, how so? Will a HA make a diff on a long TT ? Forgive me for asking a lot of questions, but as the old saying goes, curious minds want to know? LOLTIA.

The Hensley Arrow IS a WD hitch. Weight distributing simply means that spring bars are used to eliminate the sag at the hitch point by "distributing" weight from the tongue to the front and rear of the rig.The primary difference is that the Hensley design uses a 4-bar linkage to eliminate sway. Rather than allowing the trailer to pivot on the hitch ball like a regular WD hitch, the 4-bar linkage locks the movement of the trailer on the ball and uses geometry to create a "virtual pivot point" that is forward of the rear axle of the tow vehicle, making a TT tow like a 5er.There is a STICKY HERE on the TT forum titled Hensley Arrow- How It Really Works. It's many many pages and has some fantastic posts by Ron Gratz. Ron full times in a Class A and is a brilliant (retired) engineer who shed a lot of light into the mechanics of what makes the Hensley such a good hitch. Ron hasn't posted here in a while, not sure if he is still RVing.

Our Equal-i-zer `reduces' the sway but the HA `elimates' the sway. It's an engineering marvel. There is one other product that uses the same principle as the HA but I can't think of the name now. Senior moment...again.

Dick it's the ProPride 3P, they came to market with the same 4-bar design after Hensley's patent expired.

If I'm not mistaken, the ProPride is an improvement over the Hensley Arrow. Jim Hensley, the designer and holder of the patents on the design, licensed them to HA. He continued to make improvements and patents, and ProPride now licenses his improvements, creating a near similar hitch but with improvements. Does that mean it's better? I can't say, but we have used a ProPride and loved it.I'd take either one -- but when we bought the PP, it was a matter of cost...less $$$ to buy new than HA.

Curious: difference between a WD hitch and Hensley Arrow

BarneyS
Explorer III
Oct 24, 2020
FL JasonR wrote:
I currently have the Blue Ox WD, how does that compare tho the ones listed above?

Not in the same league as the Hensley at all.
Barney
deltabravo
Nomad
Oct 24, 2020
ACZL wrote:
.... w/ a Tahoe towing a 30'+ TT.... Imo tho, he'll still have a problem in that he has a Tahoe towing this trailer. Think it's a '10-'13 era, IDK.

Yep. The Tahoe is the problem.
FL_JasonR
Explorer
Oct 24, 2020
I currently have the Blue Ox WD, how does that compare tho the ones listed above?
4x4ord
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2020
If I ever go from a fiver to a TT I will most likely just bite the bullet and get a Hensley/Propride hitch but I don't doubt that many people can get their WD hitch set up to tow good enough without the added expense of one of these hitches. It's kind of like those who insist you need a dually for a larger 5ver .... it is likely that the dually adds a level of comfort to the towing experience but for many of us the wider/longer truck vs a SRW short box is, overall, more of a disadvantage that an advantage. The extra cost of a Hensley for those who seldom use their trailer can easily be understood as not worth the advantage.
hvac
Explorer
Oct 20, 2020
Added the 16k gen Y torsion hitch this year for our annual tour of the Midwest to the pacific coast. Usually a 13k mile adventure.
What a different way to travel! At first used the Andersen with the gen Y. But as we go down the coast just drop the coach on the gen Y ball and go.
Our rig is ATC 28 front bedroom. Overall weight over 8k but toungue heavy at just under 1200lb. The gen Y just soaks up the big ones. I love it. Tow vehicle is 2018 laramie CTD.
bikendan
Explorer
Oct 15, 2020
Z71K9 wrote:
I just checked my paperwork. I did not pay anywhere near the $2500 price that everyone is saying for my HA. What is average price of a good traditional WD hitch these days?

here's a 12,000lbs one for $479. shipping, to Washington, is 9.50

https://www.camperpartsworld.com/Equal-i-zer-Sway-Control-Hitch-12000-lb_p_22969.html

not sure how legit this site is because most are selling it for $670
Z71K9
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2020
I just checked my paperwork. I did not pay anywhere near the $2500 price that everyone is saying for my HA. What is average price of a good traditional WD hitch these days?
Z71K9
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2020
I have towed since 1994. Bought the Hensley after much research this year for my 2021 Grand Design 2800BH. Hands down, the best out there. Unless of course I get Peterbilt and a new fifth wheel.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 13, 2020
Much in the same way a F350 dually would improve your towing performance.
A Hensley would also improve your towing performance.
On a clear sunny day that improvement maybe negligible, on a bad Murphy's law kind of day that improvement maybe invaluable.
Those who own a Hensley are after the ultimate towing performance vs. adequate or very good. Buying a dually is not a pratical solution for most, however many find a Hensley a worthwhile way to obtain ultimate towing performance.
bikendan
Explorer
Oct 13, 2020
Lantley wrote:

Have you ever experienced towing with that $2,500.00 hitch?

Many of us don't need to because we have well-paired combos that do great with our regular WDHs. I've used mine for 15 years, in snow, ice, high winds, busy California freeways and multiple Western mountain ranges. NEVER had any kind of sway issues with my $400 4 point Equal-i-zer. Rock solid.

So why would I need to spend $2500 fir a PP or Hensley? I agree that they are the best and I think those with short wheelbase tow vehicles should definitely consider getting one.
I also think that a 1 ton dually would be the best tow vehicle but at this time, i don't need one. I do just fine with my F150 3.5 Ecoboost.