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
OK, now let's see if the marketing guy can understand the engineers....
If I understand Ron and Tim correctly, the 4-bar configuration of the HA doesn't negate the lateral forces applied to the TT, but it eliminates the moment arm magnification of those forces.
So, if a 20mph crosswind hits your TT from the left, some force will be applied to the trailer, pushing it to the right. With a conventional hitch, the force applied to the TT will be transferred to the TV at the ball, which is some distance behind the TV. This force at that point is then multiplied by the distance from the ball to the TV, creating a moment arm that has the ability to influence the stability of the TV.
With the Hensley, the same lateral force is still present, and with the same magnitude, but the VPP created by the 4-bar linkage effectively moves the force forward in the TV, eliminating the leverage of the moment, and greatly increasing the TV's ability to resist the force.
How'd I do guys?
Don
If I understand Ron and Tim correctly, the 4-bar configuration of the HA doesn't negate the lateral forces applied to the TT, but it eliminates the moment arm magnification of those forces.
So, if a 20mph crosswind hits your TT from the left, some force will be applied to the trailer, pushing it to the right. With a conventional hitch, the force applied to the TT will be transferred to the TV at the ball, which is some distance behind the TV. This force at that point is then multiplied by the distance from the ball to the TV, creating a moment arm that has the ability to influence the stability of the TV.
With the Hensley, the same lateral force is still present, and with the same magnitude, but the VPP created by the 4-bar linkage effectively moves the force forward in the TV, eliminating the leverage of the moment, and greatly increasing the TV's ability to resist the force.
How'd I do guys?
Don
