Hensley Arrow - Really that hard to hookup?

I agree it is easier to hook up a HA on level ground vs. an incline. I also agree a ball hitch is easier to hitch than an HA.
Nevertheless hitching is not a problem. Keep in mind HA are most beneficial for those towing longer heavier trailers. Those trailer are not going to really remote off the beaten path areas. If one wants to do remote camping using an HA ground clearance will be a bigger issue than hitching.
In the end if you are camping in areas that have some sort of man made road or cleared path you'll be fine with an HA. If you going to areas so remote there are no roads consider a different hitch and maybe a different combo altogether.
If you have some sort of incline on the side of your house an HA will adjust and hitch without issue.
Focusing on the hitching characteristics of the HA is short sighted. The focus should be on how well the HA performs while towing. You do not need to feel or fear the push from 18 wheelers and large passing vehicles.
The HA and PP work far better than the conventional hitches. Since I have experienced the ability of the HA I would never tow a long heavier trailer without one.

You said reading....have you seen videos on how to ...?

Just like anything else , once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature. You won't need helpers or gadgets to assist you.

Hensley Arrow how to video

Huntindog wrote:
If you camp as I do boondocking in remote areas, then it can be a real bear. Mud rocks and uneven ground can make the attitude of the TV change with every inch it moves. Often it is impossible to back up the same as when unhitching.

Of course others will say that it is no problem at all... But there have been a few people that gave up on it for just that reason. If you are a campground camper, then this problem likely isn't an issue for you.

For situations like this I've found a measuring tape to be tool needed. I measure the stinger height and adjust the trailer to match and the screw jacks to adjust the angle.

Huntindog wrote:
If you camp as I do boondocking in remote areas, then it can be a real bear. Mud rocks and uneven ground can make the attitude of the TV change with every inch it moves. Often it is impossible to back up the same as when unhitching.

Of course others will say that it is no problem at all... But there have been a few people that gave up on it for just that reason. If you are a campground camper, then this problem likely isn't an issue for you.

What you describe is the prime reason I don't have a HA or even a ProPride. My trailer sets along side my house and because of the slight above grade the house sits on for proper drainage my trailer sets level, but my Van when hooked up is about 5 to 10 deg angle side to side and even the front and back axles on the Van are on different grades when I hook up to the trailer. There is even a slight front to rear grade over the total length of my tow combo when along side my home.

Larry

I've had very few problems hitching. I've actually had more problems unhitching. I've been in some situations where I actually gave up and took the hitch apart to unhitch. It always happens when I can't get the TV inline with the trailer. If you are inline with the trailer unhitching and hitching is pretty simple.

If'n we get into one of those weird situations we use this to align the head with the stinger:

I have the ProPride but believe hookup is about the same. I actually think its easier than a normal hitch. The ability of the hitch head to move side to side makes alignment simple. At least it doest for me.

cruz-in wrote:
"For the record my HA equipped TT towed/behaved just as well as my fiver"

Glad to hear that as I just put the deposit down on a Evergreen Amped 32GS....I was conccerned about the transition from a 5th wheel to a TT

This is absolutely correct. We've been to many RV shows where I hear salesmen telling prospective customers that a fifth wheel tows better than a TT or I hear fifth wheel owners saying that. Well, I can't keep my mouth shut so I tell them, "not if you have a Hensley".

empty tongue weight is 1150ish and expect it to be 1250 to 1300 when loaded.... lots goes behind the wheels in the garage....yeah it is a beast...I am 6 foot 3inches with long arms and I cannot touch the cieling inside...It actually has much more room than our current 5th wheel which is 28 feet long...