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Jackknife with Hensley

mbutts
Explorer
Explorer
Saw this today in I-96 outside of Grand Rapids, MI today. No ambulance so hopefully everyone was OK.

Hensley
Mike Butts
DW+DD+DS+Poodles
2017 Forest River Forester 3011DS (first MH!)
Previously 1999 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up, 2007 Kodiak 23SS hybrid, 2013 Sunset Trail 29SS travel trailer
69 REPLIES 69

Airstreamer67
Explorer
Explorer
Well, I've seen a lot of Hensley owners in a lot of forums repeatedly say it doesn't matter. The Hensley will take care of the "shortcomings", since the Hensley design totally and completely eliminates any possibility of sway, unlike friction-based anti-sway hitch devices which merely "react" to any sway that might crop up. I believe that essentially is Hensely's story line too.

chevor
Explorer
Explorer
I have a hard time believing that a person has that beautiful trailer and wouldn't use a better tow vehicle.

Carluvr
Explorer
Explorer
The short Expedition has too short of a wheelbase for a trailer that size. Even though it is considered full size, it is still short in length, tall in height. I've seen so many accidents like this through the years (I'm a truckdriver) and a majority by far involve short-wheelbase vehicles like Grand Cherokees, Durangos, Trailblazers, Yukons, and Expeditions/Exploreres that have been involved in bad wrecks pulling trailers. Just because it has a V8 doesn't make it a good tow vehicle. Wheelbase matters too, especially when it comes to long trailers.
1999 Fleetwood Prowler 822L
1995 Chevrolet Z-71
1996 GMC Suburban

Fordlover
Explorer
Explorer
Tom/Barb wrote:
TXiceman wrote:

Where can you see that the trailer brakes failed? Ken


You only need to look at the picture to see that that trailer pushed that Ford SUV around like a toy. maybe the trailer brakes did not fail, maybe they were simply set wrong, either way, that trailer pushed that TV around into a jack knife and it will not do that if the brakes are working as they should.

Had he a dually we would not have this thread. that's my humble opinion.


Perhaps the driver had a heart attack and wasn't driving at all. The suggestion that the truck is inadequate is just that, a suggestion. It could be that the wreck wouldn't have happened if the driver had been pulling with a Dually, or maybe it wouldn't have changed a thing.
2016 Skyline Layton Javelin 285BH
2018 F-250 Lariat Crew 6.2 Gas 4x4 FX4 4.30 Gear
2007 Infiniti G35 Sport 6 speed daily driver
Retired 2002 Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4
Sold 2007 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK

93Cobra2771
Explorer
Explorer
A downhill curve with ANY hitch and incorrectly adjusted/applied brakes can push the rearend around on any truck. Even a fifth wheel.

I personally know someone coming down a fairly steep paved driveway. As he transitioned onto the road he let off his brakes, and the 12k fifth wheel pushed him across the street and down the hill untill he thought to hit the trailer brakes.

Given the right conditions, a trailer can push the rearend. An improperly adjust WDH can cause the same thing.
Richard White
2011 F150 Ecoboost SCREW 145" 4x4
Firestone Ride-Rite Air Springs/Air Lift Wireless Controller
2006 Sportsmen by KZ 2604P (30')
Hensley Arrow

chracatoa
Explorer
Explorer
Airstreamer67 wrote:
In fact, there have been cases where the trailer seems to push the tow vehicle to the side, sometimes completely off the road. This is particularly true on a downhill curve.


I've heard some cases where the driver did a tight turn (a full left or right turn) in slower speeds and the bump moved the back of the car due to slippery roads. Do you have links of this happening on a downhill curve?
2011 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD 5.7L V8 (next one will be a 3/4, someday)
2012 Jayco Flight Swift 267BHS (5963lbs dry, 6850 wet)
Propride hitch (I had a Reese dual cam round bar WDH for 4 months)

kvangil
Explorer
Explorer
Airstreamer67 wrote:


Does anyone know what happened in the accident pictured in the starting post?

No, but there sure is a lot of speculating... ๐Ÿ˜„
2004 Jayco X23b
2005 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x4

Airstreamer67
Explorer
Explorer
The Hensley Bump.

It occurs when the trailer pushes up against the Hensley, usually from the trailer brakes being too slow or too weak.

In fact, there have been cases where the trailer seems to push the tow vehicle to the side, sometimes completely off the road. This is particularly true on a downhill curve.

Does anyone know what happened in the accident pictured in the starting post?

Road_Ruler
Explorer
Explorer
PDX.Zs wrote:
I just need to say it...

That poor Airstream.


And now back to your regularly scheduling bickering. ๐Ÿ™‚


So true!!! LOL LOL

BenK
Explorer
Explorer
Unless the trailer brakes before (lead the TV's brakes), has GREAT
brakes to out do the TV...it will impart a 'push' onto the TV's tail (the ball)

If the setup is off line (turn, curve, etc), that 'push' will try to move the
TV's tail more off line

Even with the highly touted HA/Pro...this can cause an over steering
situation with the TV...which will drag the trailer into a jack knife
situation/potential

This is the kind of stuff I 'speculate' on all the time...curse of being a designer...

So for those who think it weird to 'speculate'...us types think it likewise
weird to NOT 'speculate' on stuff...
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...

ReneeG
Explorer
Explorer
rhagfo wrote:
Nothing is fool proof, nor will a great hitch save you in every situation! This guy may have had a great setup, but just the wrong time and circumstance.


Amen!
2011 Bighorn 3055RL, 2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley TrailerSaver BD3, 1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, Paris, Missy, and Maggie in spirit), Mica, Mabel, and Melton

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Nothing is fool proof, nor will a great hitch save you in every situation! This guy may have had a great setup, but just the wrong time and circumstance.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

wandering1
Explorer
Explorer
mich800 wrote:
Tom/Barb wrote:
Not enough truck to control the trailer when the trailer brakes fail. Towing is not about how much you can pull or carry. It is all about how much you can stop in a panic.
Just my humble opinion after nearly 50 years of towing.


I didn't see the article. Where did you read that?


All you have to do is look at the picture.
HR

93Cobra2771
Explorer
Explorer
06Fargo wrote:
earlier questions rephrased, and more questions:



If the TV initiates a turn, even an abrupt one to avoid something for example, the Hensley is going to allow the rig to bend at the hitch like it is supposed to, right?

If, during this swerve manouever, the TV piles on the brakes and the brake controller is any type that does not brake the trailer instantly, the trailer could push the Explorer around into a jackknife, could it not?

A Hensley didn't help this guy either. $300 hitch with good safety chains


That was wind, and not a Hensley. Of course, a Hensley wouldn't have helped either.

Your description above also describes what could happen while pulling a fifth wheel. Get in a tight turn, hit TV brakes, fifth wheel brakes don't engage quick enough/strong enough. A jackknife sequence could very well happen just as easily.
Richard White
2011 F150 Ecoboost SCREW 145" 4x4
Firestone Ride-Rite Air Springs/Air Lift Wireless Controller
2006 Sportsmen by KZ 2604P (30')
Hensley Arrow