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
Thanks, Ron. Wow - 225 ft lbs of 'moment' on the truck, down to 78 ft-lbs with the Hensley. Thats pretty amazing.
You know, this kind of has me thinking: Suppose I took the truck to a welder/'chop shop', and had them work it over. Specifically, suppose I had them move the rear axle backward, such that the distance from the rear axle to the ball hitch (with a conventional hitch) was about the same as the Hensley projects it to now - about 20". This would require the rear axle to be practically right up against the rear bumper and may well be impossible to do, but still, lets assume it IS done.
Would that mean, with the axles moved back that far, that the rig would handle essentially the SAME with a conventional hitch, as we do now with the Hensley? I mean - the 'moment' on the TV would be the same, right?
If I'm understanding this right, I think the answer is yes, it would handle the same. That being the case, it brings up a point that is really kinda upsetting - the ONLY reason we have to have a $3000 Hensley to make our rig stable, is because of the rear overhang the Excursion (and nearly every other tow vehicle) has.
Sheez, why can't they make tow vehicles with little or no rear overhang, and the back axle right up against the back end? Would sure make for a much better tow vehicle! Only vehicle I can think of built that way, would be the Hummer. Too bad the rest of that Hummer isn't very well designed for towing.
You know, this kind of has me thinking: Suppose I took the truck to a welder/'chop shop', and had them work it over. Specifically, suppose I had them move the rear axle backward, such that the distance from the rear axle to the ball hitch (with a conventional hitch) was about the same as the Hensley projects it to now - about 20". This would require the rear axle to be practically right up against the rear bumper and may well be impossible to do, but still, lets assume it IS done.
Would that mean, with the axles moved back that far, that the rig would handle essentially the SAME with a conventional hitch, as we do now with the Hensley? I mean - the 'moment' on the TV would be the same, right?
If I'm understanding this right, I think the answer is yes, it would handle the same. That being the case, it brings up a point that is really kinda upsetting - the ONLY reason we have to have a $3000 Hensley to make our rig stable, is because of the rear overhang the Excursion (and nearly every other tow vehicle) has.
Sheez, why can't they make tow vehicles with little or no rear overhang, and the back axle right up against the back end? Would sure make for a much better tow vehicle! Only vehicle I can think of built that way, would be the Hummer. Too bad the rest of that Hummer isn't very well designed for towing.
