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
I've updated the reactionary moment diagram I posted some 30 or 40 posts back with numbers updated to reflect Will's towing setup. I used the numbers I would get if I put my trunnion hitch head in Will's receiver for a "conventional" lashup.
The resulting reactionary moment from Will's X to a 1000 ft-lb moment from his trailer with a conventional hitch would be 233 ft-lb compared to only 78.8 ft-lb with his HA.
This would result in such a slight flex in the sidewalls of the tires using an HA that a driver would be hard pressed to notice anything at all. I would submit to you that even the best friction-based sway inhibitors would have a negligible ability to reduce the 233 ft-lb moment felt with a conventional hitch. Since the sidewalls of the tires would flex more reacting to this moment, I'm certain that most drivers would feel something.
Additional good news with the HA is that even if there was a slight flex of the tire sidewalls, the recovery of the sidewalls to that flex would act through such a relatively short lever that it would result in virtually no lateral movement at the front of the trailer even if the linkage allowed it (which I believe it does).
With a conventional hitch, not only is there going to be a greater flex in the tire sidewalls, but the inevitable recovery (rebound) of the sidewalls will act through a longer lever and would result in a measureable lateral movement at the front of the trailer. An effective friction-based sway control greatly dampens this give-and-take to prevent a dangerous recyling sway event.
Tim
The resulting reactionary moment from Will's X to a 1000 ft-lb moment from his trailer with a conventional hitch would be 233 ft-lb compared to only 78.8 ft-lb with his HA.
This would result in such a slight flex in the sidewalls of the tires using an HA that a driver would be hard pressed to notice anything at all. I would submit to you that even the best friction-based sway inhibitors would have a negligible ability to reduce the 233 ft-lb moment felt with a conventional hitch. Since the sidewalls of the tires would flex more reacting to this moment, I'm certain that most drivers would feel something.
Additional good news with the HA is that even if there was a slight flex of the tire sidewalls, the recovery of the sidewalls to that flex would act through such a relatively short lever that it would result in virtually no lateral movement at the front of the trailer even if the linkage allowed it (which I believe it does).
With a conventional hitch, not only is there going to be a greater flex in the tire sidewalls, but the inevitable recovery (rebound) of the sidewalls will act through a longer lever and would result in a measureable lateral movement at the front of the trailer. An effective friction-based sway control greatly dampens this give-and-take to prevent a dangerous recyling sway event.
Tim
