Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?

Stressor wrote:
The liberal scientific method requires us to accept the simplest possible explanation that covers all the bases. The ghost of Sir William of Occam stands guard with a cudgel in hand for those who would violate this principle.

Actually, Milt, Occam's Razor does not require us to accept that the simplest possible explanation is correct. It only states that the simplest explanation is preferred.

But, since you've raised the issue of multiple interpretations of observations, let's discuss some possible interpretations of your photo and let the readers decide which, if any, is correct or preferred.

Here is the photo, and it is the only factual evidence available.



The following observations can be made based on the photo:

1. The main object in the photo does appear to be a Hensley Arrow hitch which is supported off the ground by some means and appears to be oriented in the "straight ahead" position.
2. Other objects appear to be a WD bar swung to the left and a WD bar swung to the right.
3. Another object which might be a cable and clevis assembly appears to be connected to the HA's right strut pin.
4. The photo appears to have been made on June 4, 2005.
5. The photo has a label, "view of hitch with come-along attached", although no come-along is visible.

Given the above, it takes a tremendous stretch of imagination to say, "This picture proves, real world, inarguably, that the Hensley hitch locks up from the travel trailer end." Your claim is only one possible explanation of the evidence presented by the photo. Some other possible explanations of what we can see are:

A. The hitch has been modified so it is fixed in the straight-ahead orientation.
B. There is no tension applied to the cable -- therefore no force on the rear unit.
C. The unseen end of one or both WD bars is anchored so the HA's rear unit cannot move to the side.
D. The rear unit was at some other angular orientation prior to applying tension to the cable; and the rear unit simply moved to the shown orientation when the cable was tensioned.
E. The cable was oriented at an angle which would cause no movement regardless of the magnitude of the force.
F. The HA's linkage "locks up" whenever a tension force is applied at a strut pin.

Let's assume that A and C can be rejected although the photo does not prove they are false. Let's accept your word that B is not true although the photo does not give proof. Let's accept that D is not true although this possibility has not been addressed and the photo does not prove that D is false.

Of these six possible explanations, we are left with E and F. I contend that E is the simplest and preferred explanation. To prove that your assertion is the only possible explanation, requires that you prove there are no other possible explanations. To prove that your claim is the preferred explanation, requires that you prove no other explanation is preferred. There is no way that the photo can substantiate your assertion.