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
bettered wrote:tluxon wrote:
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the primary function of the strut to keep the TT square to the back "bar" of the HA?
I don't think so Tim. The rear link wants to be square to the TT centerline, but it's so the TT will track straight. The primary function of the strut bar(s) is to prevent all motion of the rear hitch bar (the orange part) relative to the hitch ball in the yaw plane; that is, to keep the orange part from turning on the ball thus forcing all turning through the linkage itself.
Ed
The function of the struts is to ensure that the TT cannot yaw relative to the rear (upper) unit of the HA -- i.e., so the ball coupler cannot pivot (yaw) relative to the ball.
However, it is of interest to consider what happens if the struts are adjusted so that the longitudinal axis of the TT is not perpendicular to the HA's rear link. Let's say the TT is 5 degrees out of alignment. If the HA locks up when the TV is moving straight ahead, then the misadjusted struts would cause the "locked" linkage to tow the TT at a 5 degree yaw angle. In reality, the linkage is not locked and the rear (upper) unit will rotate until the TT tracks at an angle between 0 and 5 (probably closer to 0) degrees.
