Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?

bettered wrote:

tluxon wrote:
In addition, I'm having a hard time imagining what kind of forces outside of a broadside hit at the axles that could result in anything other than a moment on the CG of the TT. I've already shown above how a lateral force resulting from the moment of a TT results in a reactive COUNTER moment generated by the trans-rotation of the hitch linkage. We just don't know how much of a reactive moment the hitch CAN generate given its relatively minimal leverage and unknown compressive strength.

One of the more astounding testimonials on the Hensley website is from an owner who was involved in an accident where another vehicle lost control and rammed the TT at just about the axles. The TV and control of the TT were not affected in terms of directional stability. I find this hard to swallow, but that's what the fellow said.

bettered wrote:
Here's the 'astounding' testimonial direct from the Hensley web site that I referred to earlier...

"...we were involved in an accident after being hit by another car ... was in a spin hitting our trailer on the rear wheel, knocking the trailer up and the car going under a partial part of the rear of the trailer. My husband was able to control the rig and drive smooth: although shaken up, to the side of the freeway and bring us to a safe stop...

"I also feel very comfortable driving our rig and now share the "road-time" with my husband..."

"Sincerely,
"Mr. & Mrs. Glen Shelinbarger"

Great example! Yes, any kind of broadside hit at the axles OR a sideslip of the tires could easily result in a moment that was NOT halfway between the axles or at the CG of the TT. This may in fact represent the most serious test of a hitch that was designed to negate typical sway. The Hensley clearly passed the test with flying colors in that case.

I'd like to comment on Mrs. Shelinbarger's last statement. To this date my wife has insisted that she doesn't want to tow our big trailer. She says if anything happened to me she just wouldn't use it if she had to tow it. Largely because of that and the fact that I have a LOT of experience and am very confident in the laws of physics, I have been very satisfied with the HP Dual Cam. However, if my wife ever even suggests towing the trailer herself, I wouldn't feel comfortable for her, me, or the family, without her using at least a Hensley. I know the Hensley isn't accident proof, but I suspect there are significantly fewer Hensley accidents per Hensleys used than any other kind of TT hitch with the possible exception of a Pullrite.

Tim