Jackknife with Hensley

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

Airstreamer67 wrote:


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

No, but there sure is a lot of speculating... :D

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?

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

That poor Airstream.


And now back to your regularly scheduling bickering. :-)

So true!!! LOL LOL

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...