Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?

Hensley Website wrote:
The secret of the Hensley Arrow rests in its patented converging linkage design. The Arrow allows movement on the ball in every direction except side-to-side.

Milt, you have misread a key word. It says, "movement on the ball". It does not say, "movement of the ball". Other movement on the ball which is not allowed is: front-to-rear, up-and-down, and rotation in a horizontal plane (due to the struts).

Hensley Website wrote:
Side-to-side movement is forced to go through the linkage system which is one directional.

I interpret the phrase, "side-to-side movement" to mean that something is moving side-to-side. Since they are talking about the linkage, they obviously are referring to the side-to-side movement of the HA's upper (rear) unit relative to its lower (front) unit.

Hensley Website wrote:
From the trailer side, the linkage is solid. Pivoting by the linkage must be initiated through the tow vehicle.

Pivoting by the linkage can be initiated from either end. If the convergence of the side links were reversed, you still could steer the TT with the TV. Of course, it would handle differently because the VPP would be to the rear of the hitch instead of forward.

Stressor wrote:
This says what I have been saying, and I have provided an illustrated explanation of how a converging linkage works in this thread.

"Side-to-side movement is forced to go through the linkage system which is one directional. From the trailer side, the linkage is solid."

I am always happy to be quoted by a manufacturer.

That is not what you have been saying. You have been saying the ball cannot move side to side and you attempted to prove it with your photos and diagrams. The ball does move side-to-side relative to the front of the hitch and a properly conducted "demonstration" would clearly show it. You were not quoted by a manufacturer. You are quoting them -- simply parroting their marketing hype.


Milt, if you want to cite from Hensley literature accurately describes how the HA really works, I suggest you refer to the Hensley Patent Document. It provides a description which has a sound physical basis. The Hensley marketing materials do not. Unfortunately, in the Patent Document, you'll not find any discussion of terms such as "locked", "one directional", straight truck", etc. And, please, don't respond to this suggestion with your Patent Lawyers argument. I'd hate to have to go through all of that again.


The HA does not "lock up".
The HA does not prevent the trailer from swinging.
Lateral forces on the TT's tires control the swinging.
The HA works by reducing the magnitude of lateral force and by moving the effective point of application closer to the TV's rear axle. This significantly reduces the ability of the TT to "steer" the TV.
This, alone, is sufficient to explain the HA's anti-sway capabilities.