Switching From Hensley To SwayPro

[Roadtech]

Has anyone switched from a Hensley design hitch (Hensley Arrow or ProPride) to a Blue Ox SwayPro or other non-Hensley design hitch in order to simplify hitching and unhitching. I understand that the sway elimination may be compromised somewhat, but it would sure make life easier not to have to line up those angles to get the stinger to seat into or disengage from the hitch box, especially when you are dealing with uneven ground and severe angles when backing into tight spaces.

[gmw_photos]

I have not used a hensley or a PP. That said, I have not felt the need to. Close to 50K miles towing two different trailers ( this TT and my horse trailer ) with the blue ox has worked well for me.

Why change when what I have works ? In 50K miles, I've driven in just about everything you can imagine. I make the trip across Kansas multiple times a year between home and the family farm. Kansas usually has wind out of the south or SW or north or NW. In other words, most trips I have cross winds. They are no problem for my setup.

If I felt the need for a PP I would not hesitate to spend the money.

EDIT: all that said, I have read of some folks who simply could not get a good towing trailer with anything but a hensley or a propride. Several folks over on the airforms ( Airstream ) had much difficulty getting their trailer to tow safely until they went to a HAHA or PP.
So it could come down to that. You may "need" one of those hitches to make it work.

[BurbMan]

carringb wrote:
Yes, I did. Because the Hensley isn't as strong as the Dual Cam or Sway Pro.

Only guy to ever break a Hensley LOL!

[carringb]

Yes, I did. Because the Hensley isn't as strong as the Dual Cam or Sway Pro.

[Lantley]

Roadtech wrote:
"Do you keep your pivot head loose."
Yes, struts loose when hitching

"Grease your Stinger?"
Yes

"With a camera I had no issues."
I have a camera

"Yes there is a learning curve to it"
I've had it 4 years, but I might be a slow learner!

I get it... LOL

Another pointer is try to have the vehicle straight in line with trailer. don't be afraid to give it gas to push stinger into box.
I also used the Hitch Helper gizmo that Hensley made to make small adjustments L to R if needed.
Originally I used the hitch helper regularly, but by the end I realy did not need it. With the helper and the tongue jack you have adjustment to align the stinger

[pasusan]

Another one pushing for you to keep the Hensley...

We made a couple of things to make hitching easier.

These are wedges that hold those hookup arms back and out of the way:




This we use to line up the hitch head when we're having trouble in crooked angle positions:



Good luck!

[Roadtech]

"Do you keep your pivot head loose."
Yes, struts loose when hitching

"Grease your Stinger?"
Yes

"With a camera I had no issues."
I have a camera

"Yes there is a learning curve to it"
I've had it 4 years, but I might be a slow learner!

[Roadtech]

busterbrown73 wrote:
When I bought my 35 foot Keystone TT 2 years ago, I purchased a mid-grade Blue Ox Sway Pro. We used it for about 5 trips in the first 2 months of summer. Most camping trips were short and under 150 miles each way. The last time I used it was on a trip back to the Detroit area from western Michigan. We hit 30 mph cross winds on some of the prairies off the interstate. A white knuckle, "brown my shorts" trip to say the least. I researched and found Hensley (coincidently located just 20 miles north of my home).

It was a huge investment but worth every penny. It took several trips to get the approach angles correct. Adding a little grease to the 3" hitch box receiver opening helped too.

Now, I can hitch up and go in just about 2 minutes. The hitch already saved my family several times, including on a trip down in Florida on the turnpike when I attempted to avoid a run-a-way carcass of a big rig tire. The Hensley saved the trailer from a catastrophic event as it kept it inline with my tow vehicle at 65 mph on the shoulder of the road. Again, worth every cent.
And as previously stated, you own the best sway "elimination" equipment for a travel trailer. Anything else will provide less control and comfort.

What tow vehicle are you using to tow your 35 foot trailer?

[busterbrown73]

Roadtech wrote:
Has anyone switched from a Hensley design hitch (Hensley Arrow or ProPride) to a Blue Ox SwayPro or other non-Hensley design hitch in order to simplify hitching and unhitching. I understand that the sway elimination may be compromised somewhat, but it would sure make life easier not to have to line up those angles to get the stinger to seat into or disengage from the hitch box, especially when you are dealing with uneven ground and severe angles when backing into tight spaces.

When I bought my 35 foot Keystone TT 2 years ago, I purchased a mid-grade Blue Ox Sway Pro. We used it for about 5 trips in the first 2 months of summer. Most camping trips were short and under 150 miles each way. The last time I used it was on a trip back to the Detroit area from western Michigan. We hit 30 mph cross winds on some of the prairies off the interstate. A white knuckle, "brown my shorts" trip to say the least. I researched and found Hensley (coincidently located just 20 miles north of my home).

It was a huge investment but worth every penny. It took several trips to get the approach angles correct. Adding a little grease to the 3" hitch box receiver opening helped too.

Now, I can hitch up and go in just about 2 minutes. The hitch already saved my family several times, including on a trip down in Florida on the turnpike when I attempted to avoid a run-a-way carcass of a big rig tire. The Hensley saved the trailer from a catastrophic event as it kept it inline with my tow vehicle at 65 mph on the shoulder of the road. Again, worth every cent.

Now that I think about it, I still have to unload my Blue Ox. It's still sitting in my basement.

And as previously stated, you own the best sway "elimination" equipment for a travel trailer. Anything else will provide less control and comfort.

[samsontdog]

I used the Hensley for one season and it was more trouble than it was worth.
I now have the EZ Lift 4 point hitch that came with a TT that I bought and it does a great job. I still have the Hensley in my garage that I will never use again. I think they are over priced
and over rated JMHO I should sell it but I will never get half of what someone paid for it. Maybe the next TT I sell I will dump it on them. It came with a TT that I bought several years ago

[Lantley]

Do you keep your pivot head loose. Grease your Stinger? With a camera I had no issues.
Yes there is a learning curve to it, but the performance of the hitch makes it all worth while.
After towing with the Hensley I would not be satisfied with another hitch other than a PP.

[BarneyS]

The sway control will not be anything near the Hensley! If I were you, I would learn how to hitch up using a mirror on the back of your tow vehicle or a backup camera and keep the Hensley. You have the best hitch on the market and would probably be sorry once you gave up on it.
Barney

[Roadtech]

Mortimer Brewster wrote:
I never had much trouble hitching up with our Pro-Pride. Rather than buying a different hitch you might consider installing a back up camera. IMO a different hitch would be a step backward.

I have a B/U camera.

I love trailering except for hitching and unhitching. I want to make it as easy as possible. Dropping a trailer coupler on the ball is so much easier than every time having to line up the angles of the stinger with the hitch box in three different planes. I know all of the tips and tricks to do it, but it is still always a hassle.

The reports I have read on the sway prevention and weight distribution of the BO SwayPro is very good.

[campigloo]

I haven’t but I did move to a Trekker by EazLift. So far I’m pretty happy with it and even more satisfied with the company. My next addition is a Gen Y.
Can’t wait, so stoked.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

I never had much trouble hitching up with our Pro-Pride. Rather than buying a different hitch you might consider installing a back up camera. IMO a different hitch would be a step backward.