Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?
There have been several discussions on this hitch that have become somewhat 'controversial'. I am NOT trying to stir this controversy/bashing back up. Instead, I'd like to see a good, intelligent di...
Forum Discussion
Claude B wrote:
We also agree that sway only occur at speed over 45 to 50 mph (+/-)
So, at this speed, TT and TV are in straight line 99% of the time. This is where the HA desing is unique, it locks completely (from the TT point of vue) the TT and TV just like riding on a railroad. It has the same effect as welding a 6" I beam from the back of the TT to the front of the TV. Rotation is impossible if induce by the TT (sway). The HA trapezoïd 4 bars linkage combined with the 2 struts bars are locking the TV and TT. On highways or country roads, the TV and TT are always almost straight so with the HA, there is no apparent pivot point of rotation close, after or forward the TV axles. Lateral forces will be on the entire TV frame (from the HA to the receiver to the TV frame)..
Claude,
I must respectfully disagree with this part of your post.
Yes, the HA does "lock" the TT tongue to the upper (rear) part of the hitch via the struts. In similar manner, the PullRite locks the TT tongue to the hitch via the WD bars. However, both hitches effectively extend the TT's tongue forward to a new pivot point.
With the HA, although the TT is "locked" to the rear part of the hitch, the rear part of the hitch is not "locked" to the front part of the hitch. The linkage allows the rear part to simultaneously rotate and move sideways relative to the front part. Therefore, the TT is not "locked" to the TV.
The key point to remember is that when the TT and TV are aligned nearly straight ahead, the HA and the PullRite act in the same manner except that the pivot points generally are at different distances from the TV's rear axle.
Ron
