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
Milt, you've got to be careful about how literally you take marketing language such as that found on the Hensley website. Through the years they have changed their language dramatically.
In patent #4,722,542 that was linked to early in this thread, Hensley's patent attorney writes near the end,
Hmmmmmm. Methinks that the marketing guys have significantly modified their talk despite the hitch remaining fundamentally the same.
Tim
In patent #4,722,542 that was linked to early in this thread, Hensley's patent attorney writes near the end,
..snip..
In use, the hitch assembly C couples the trailer A to the tow vehicle B such that the combination of the two is extremely stable at high speeds, even in the presence of gusty side winds or on uneven road surfaces. This derives from the fact that the effective pivot axis for the trailer, at least when it is aligned directly behind the tow vehicle B, is between the rear bumper 8 and the axis x for the rear wheels 6 of the vehicle B (FIG. 2), and not at the rear bumper 8 where the actual pivoting is accommodated. In this regard, the towing force is transmitted through the hitch bar 30 to the hitch box 34 and front pivot mount 36 and thence through the connecting links 50 to the rear pivot mount 56 to which the trailer A is connected at the hitch ball 58. Since the struts 60 prevent the trailer A from turning with respect to the rear pivot mount 56, that is rotating about a vertical axis at the hitch ball 58, the turning must be accommodated through the connecting links 50, the pins 40 and 52 of those links, and the bushings 46 and 54 in which the pins 40 and 52 fit. The bushings 46 and 52 are spaced such that the connecting links 50 converge and indeed if projected forwardly would meet along the centerline m of the tow vehicle B somewhat ahead of the rear bumper 8, but most likely behind the axis x for the rear wheels 6, assuming of course that the trailer A is aligned with the tow vehicle B, that is directly behind the tow vehicle B, as would occur while driving straight segments of highway. By displacing the pivot point forwardly, the tendency to sway or fishtail is significantly reduced. Actual tests of applicant's hitch assembly C have demonstrated a marked reduction in fishtailing. ..snip..
Hmmmmmm. Methinks that the marketing guys have significantly modified their talk despite the hitch remaining fundamentally the same.
Tim
