Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?

bettered wrote:

Stressor wrote:
The lateral force is applied to the whole rig under those conditions, because the Hensley linkage is locked up tight, and with the exception of whatever play there is in the components, the rig is as stiff as a two inch steel bar can be stiff.

If you actually own a Hensley Arrow, you can demonstrate this to yourself on your next outing. Drive along and watch the rear end of your trailer for a while. Stop for a break, and while you are there, loosen the struts on the Hensley by a turn. Drive on, and watch the rear end of your trailer. You will see movement that was not there before.

In a locked linkage, there is no virtual pivot point. Steering input from the tow vehicle unlocks it, and as soon as things straighten out, it is locked again. The trailer cannot exert a yaw force in a Hensley equipped rig.

Check out the Hensley web site, they explain how the hitch "actually works" very clearly.

:B

The links between the upper and lower components of the hitch are fixed in place about their axis of rotation by double tapered roller bearings (both top and bottom) in the hitch, entirely similar to the way wheels are mounted on axles.

If this system operates as you've suggested, why don't we have cars driving down the road suddenly "locking up" and skidding out of control to a panic stop. With millions of cars on the road, surely one of them would have experienced lockup by now.