ProPride 3p hitch

BarneyS wrote:

Ridgerunner29 wrote:
Snip...
Also, in reference to an earlier post in this thread, I don't see how tension on Propride WD bars could cause any more stress on your hitch receiver than any other WD hitch.

It is not the tension on the WD bars that can cause problems.
The Hensley and PP hitches put terrific horizontal (left,right) stresses on the receiver while a normal hitch only puts vertical stresses on the receiver.
Barney

You know this side to side forces is what often gives me pause when someone gets one of this hitches and has a light/SWB vehicle with what normally would be an oversized trailer, both length and weight. Maybe these side to side forces aren't that large in the overall scheme of things, but it still makes me question at times if jumping to something like the ProPride or HA is the best thing in all cases.

Larry

Ridgerunner29 wrote:
Snip...
Also, in reference to an earlier post in this thread, I don't see how tension on Propride WD bars could cause any more stress on your hitch receiver than any other WD hitch.

It is not the tension on the WD bars that can cause problems.
The Hensley and PP hitches put terrific horizontal (left,right) stresses on the receiver while a normal hitch only puts vertical stresses on the receiver.
Barney

The PP and HA are almost 1' further back than a typical WD hitch. You need longer chains and 7 pin plug. By being further back you need more leverage to achieve weight transfer. At least that's how I see it.

I have been using a Propride for a year now over 5000 miles. It is great. To me, one of the benefits of the Propride is that the Weight Distribution and Sway Control are two different processes... very different from a hitch like Reese Dual Cam or Equalizer that depend on trunion bar tension to provide sway control. The Propride & Hensley prevent sway, the others brands attempt to control sway. Also, in reference to an earlier post in this thread, I don't see how tension on Propride WD bars could cause any more stress on your hitch receiver than any other WD hitch.

2 friends use the Hensley Arrow, similar to the Pro Pride and both swear by them.

Wise choice Mike. I ordered one last October and finally got around to installing it in Feb. Took the TT out in March and I didn't have to "death grip" the steering wheel. With a few adjustments and several conversations with Sean at PP it works like a charm. I had the yolk bracket and WD Jacks welded onto the TT frame, I now have peace of mind when dragging that TT behind us. Have a great summer!

If you have the stock GMC hitch, it will have a round bar from one side of the frame to the other, (drivers to passenger side) and is made of thinwall tubing, then heat treated to give it some strength. With time, these crack, and the Hensley or Propride hitch will put additional stress on the stock hitch.

So if you have a stock hitch, replace it soon, or it will come off suddenly, and require trailer and hitch replacement as well.

At least check the hitch closely for cracks, or rusty lines, and perhaps have it inspected by someone. It might be a poor hitch, that allows the weight distribution bars to wiggle, that is the root of your problem.

One Rv.Net member measured his hitch with and without the weight distribution bars on. He found he back end of hitch is moving about 0.040" when the bars are tightened. With the replacement hitch, it did not move a significant amount.

Fred.

Thumperpull wrote:
I bit the bullet today and ordered my new ProPride 3p 1400 hitch. Whadaya think? DW grabs the dash every time the trailer sways with the other friction bar sway control and we're thinking of getting a longer heavier trailer in the near future too. We're planning on south Texas to St. Louis later this summer and I'm looking forward to not fighting the trucks as they pass me on the interstates.

I think you made a wise decision in the purchase, strong, well engineered hitch that does exactly what it is intended to do, prevent sway. Your trips will not have your wife grabbing the dash ever again! Enjoy your new safe hitch.