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Any new developments in hitches?

Skelshy
Explorer
Explorer
I've had a Surveyor from 2012 to 2018. Lots of good memories. A lot of work. I particularly dreaded hitching and unhitching it. Lug the heavy truck side bit. Put the pin in. Aim with a backup camera. Hope the trailer height is right. Adjust the trailer height. Crank down the trailer. Move the truck half in forward because the safety doesn't go all the way down. Put in the safety pin. Crank up the trailer so the WDH bars can be fit. Fit the WDH bars. Put in the WHD bars safeties. Put in the two chains. Put in the breakaway cable. Crank the crank to lower the trailer. Put in the 7 pin. Remove the wheel chocks. Walk around the trailer. Extend the tow mirrors.

Aren't there any hitch systems you can just drive up to?

It may not sounds like a lot. But on a weekend trip, time really counts.
23 REPLIES 23

subcamper
Explorer II
Explorer II
Skelshy wrote:
Z71K9 wrote:
Hensley Arrow


Can you briefly explain why/how that helps?


I have had the Hensley Arrow for 16 years now.

Great stability, no sway, etc.

However, I would never tell anyone that one of its advantages is faster hitching/unhitching.

Unlike a ball, which can take a pretty severe up/down angle misalignment between the TV and trailer, the Hensley requires adjustment of the hitch to match the misalignment. I usually don't have a problem, but on a bad day you could spend a lot of time adjusting and readjusting, wondering why the stinger won't go in for the last two inches!

Steve

ZINGERLITE
Explorer
Explorer
Dadoffourgirls wrote:
Get a new Silverado with the hitch-view camera. For $45k, you will be properly aligned!


I added a $20 camera to my 2006 silverado. I already had the aftermarket touch screen though. back up cameras are a hitching up game changer. I think its better when in the tail gate handle instead of on the license plate though. depth perseption is harder with the camera on the plate. It still makes life alot easier!

Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Explorer
Get a new Silverado with the hitch-view camera. For $45k, you will be properly aligned!
Dad of Four Girls
Wife
Employee of GM, all opinions are my own!
2017 Express Ext 3500 (Code named "BIGGER ED" by daughters)
2011 Jayco Jayflight G2 32BHDS

Skelshy
Explorer
Explorer
Z71K9 wrote:
Hensley Arrow


Can you briefly explain why/how that helps?

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
2500HD. That and an electric tongue jack reduces time and effort to almost nothing. Press the button, drop the coupler on the ball. Latch the coupler.

Z71K9
Explorer II
Explorer II
Hensley Arrow

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Explorer II
Short answer—no.
However, if your tongue weight is about 700 pounds or less, it’s lots easier to use an Andersen Hitch. Still have to back up straight, stop under the ball and attach everything. Takes me about 5 minutes.
Takes longer to load all of the adult beverages required.
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
The only reason I use a WDH, is to satisfy the rating of the receiver. Hitching up isn’t too much of a hassle but I don’t like the stress it puts on the trailer. The new Superduty’s receiver is rated for 1300 lbs dead weight. That’ll carry our 1,071 lbs of tongue weight on a simple ball. Most will disagree.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Not that big a deal to me.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad