Comment from Hensley "towing expert". Fact or BS ?

[CampingN_C_]

So I just got off the phone with a gentleman at Hensley and he made an interesting comment in regards to my current Reese DC hitch and a travel trailer with a sloped front wall. I was explaining to him the trouble I'm having getting it dialed in just right and he asked me about the the "slope" on the front wall.
He went on to say that trailers such as mine will actually cause "lift" at higher speeds, resulting in a loss of tongue weight, the faster you go, thus reducing the amount a friction on the cams.

That make sense to you guys? That sure does coincide with the way it feels above approx. 55/60 mph.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

CampingN.C. wrote:
It's not a loading issue, trailer was virtually empty on our last trip, not even any food.

I've seen TT straight from the manufacturer with loading issues. Often an empty TT has more loading issues because the manufacturer has placed the components in the trailer, expecting you will load stuff into the TT to counter balance the installed items.

One of the worst cases of sway issues I ever saw was a 43' toy hauler fifth wheel. When empty the whole backend was so light anything would push it around (the guy also had nose high problem and cheap hitch issues).

[dodge_guy]

FWIW, my tailer had handling issues at first. i finally rn it across the scales to find out i had 1500lbs of tongue weight! when i got home i moved stuff around and then reweighed and got it to around 1200lbs and my handling/sway issue was gone. i had just too much weight on the rear of the X. maybe that would be something to check?!

[CampingN_C_]

"If you are saying that if you dial in the DC so that the ride in the truck is acceptable and then that produces sway, the HA should fix that issue."

Yes, that's exactly right.

[BurbMan]

Could very well be...doesn't sound like a weight & balance issue. In fact your TT is similar to mine weight-wise...I weigh about 8500 lbs with 1200 on the tongue, about 14%. Actually I need to get re-weighed since I added the storage box on the back.

If you are looking to buy don't rule out the Pro Pride...same basic design as the Hensley but with a few improvements like adjustable height hitch bar, etc. Hensley started this new company to market his improved design after his non-compete with Hensley Products ran out.

You could always do the 90-day trial and see if it fixes your ride issues. If you are saying that if you dial in the DC so that the ride in the truck is acceptable and then that produces sway, the HA should fix that issue.

I would also agree that the guy you spoke to at HA pulled those aerodynamic comments out of his poop chute.

[CampingN_C_]

I didn't state the problems I'm currently having, figured that was for another thread. However, my tongue weight is 1350 lbs. No propane. Approx 16% of the 8500 trailer weight. Yes, I've been to the scales and posted all the numbers a couple months ago, camper is in storage now, haven't moved it since last trip.
I called Hensley to get a price, not towing advice, that's just what came up during the conversation.
I'm not a rookie in the TT/TV world, I've towed thousands of trouble free miles with other trailers and trucks, all with the DC.
It's not a loading issue, trailer was virtually empty on our last trip, not even any food.
My personal opinion is that in order for me to get enough pressure on the cams to mitigate sway takes too much weight off the rear axle, causing the rough ride and I mean horrible.
I know the DC is a great hitch, just starting to think it's not great for me anymore.

[BurbMan]

dodge guy wrote:
...the ones that need it are the ones that cannot setup their trailer properly.

Correct, and that's NOT a slam on the owners of the these TTs or the OP that they don't know what they are doing. Not all TTs are designed to have the best weight/balance when loaded due to the floor plan of the unit, where heavy installed items are located and where the storage is located. The 4-bar linkage design of the HA and PP make loading and balance much less critical for a smooth towing experience.

To the OP's question, I suppose that if your TT had marginal tongue weight, it's possible that a small degree of aerodynamic lift could impart some instability on the TT, but I think that's kind of reaching...you didn't say what question you asked the Hensley sales guy that made him offer up this statement though.

I can tell you that whatever is causing your handling issues on your TT, the Hensley WILL straighten it out. Doesn't matter what the tongue weight, whether the suspension tracks straight, etc. The only thing a TT can do with a HA attached is follow the truck in a straight line.

[dodge_guy]

TomG2 wrote:

TenOC wrote:
....snip.......
In my option, it should be against the law to sell a TT without a Hensley or ProPride type hitch. If I was a lawyer I would love to sue a TT sales company for selling such a "defective" product as a standard type hitch. I normally tow my 30 foot TT at 70 MPH with ONE HAND on the steering wheel.

I am glad that mandate was not in effect when I purchased my last truck and trailer. Saved me a few bucks and I do not need a Hensley to safely tow my trailer.

I agree! the HA is not needed for most people. the ones that need it are the ones that cannot setup their trailer properly. the ones that want one buy it because of how it works! If you get the tongue weight right and the WD setup properly, you don`t need a HA or PP!

I`m glad no one told me I need to have something I don`t need!

[jmiller]

The BEST hitch I have ever owned!!! It's priceless for me and my family!!

[TenOC]

TomG2 wrote:

TenOC wrote:
....snip.......
In my option, it should be against the law to sell a TT without a Hensley or ProPride type hitch. If I was a lawyer I would love to sue a TT sales company for selling such a "defective" product as a standard type hitch. I normally tow my 30 foot TT at 70 MPH with ONE HAND on the steering wheel.

I am glad that mandate was not in effect when I purchased my last truck and trailer. Saved me a few bucks and I do not need a Hensley to safely tow my trailer.

I know one can pull a trailer without a Hensley. I pulled a TT for 4 years (about 10,000 miles) with a standard WD hitch. But NEVER again.

[mich800]

4X4Dodger wrote:
You have to see that your curved front TT is essentially the same as the leading edge of an Aircraft Wing.

The distance the air goes over the top is different than the distance on the underside. This creates LIFT.

What has as much effect on this as the trailer is the tow vehicle and its aerodynamic properties..ie how much air it lets under the trailer.

This can increase or decrease the effect.

And YES this effect is real. A cessna 150 can take off at 50 mph in the right wind. Your TT could experience enough lift to affect the towing characteristics...especially if it is not loaded correctly with the proper tongue weight.

Thats why these new round fronted trailers are touted as being Aerodynamic.

This idea of the salesmans may or may not be your true problem only testing could tell that. But essentially what he said is true.

That is true but the the fact there is a slope on the front of a TT is the only similarity to a wing. It may create some lift but nowhere to create ill handling at highway speeds unless it was unstable to begin with.

Also, I don't think the OP actually stated what issues they are having with the DC other than they have one.

[RedRocket204]

4X4Dodger wrote:
This idea of the salesmans may or may not be your true problem only testing could tell that. But essentially what he said is true.

Are you sure?

CampingN.C. wrote:
He went on to say that trailers such as mine will actually cause "lift" at higher speeds, resulting in a loss of tongue weight, the faster you go, thus reducing the amount a friction on the cams.

Here is the quote from the OP of what was said by Hensley. Remember that a TT is a lever. The Hensley sales liar said tongue weight is reduced based upon what he claims as lift is being created. Whether or not the Hensley liar is correct about the lift being created, if the tongue weight is reduced, the friction from the spring bars on the DC cams is actually increased, not reduced. If you pull the tongue up on a Reese DC set-up, the spring bars tension increases.

This Hensley guy is spouting BS he made up.

[4X4Dodger]

You have to see that your curved front TT is essentially the same as the leading edge of an Aircraft Wing.

The distance the air goes over the top is different than the distance on the underside. This creates LIFT.

What has as much effect on this as the trailer is the tow vehicle and its aerodynamic properties..ie how much air it lets under the trailer.

This can increase or decrease the effect.

And YES this effect is real. A cessna 150 can take off at 50 mph in the right wind. Your TT could experience enough lift to affect the towing characteristics...especially if it is not loaded correctly with the proper tongue weight.

Thats why these new round fronted trailers are touted as being Aerodynamic.

This idea of the salesmans may or may not be your true problem only testing could tell that. But essentially what he said is true.

[TomG2]

TenOC wrote:
....snip.......
In my option, it should be against the law to sell a TT without a Hensley or ProPride type hitch. If I was a lawyer I would love to sue a TT sales company for selling such a "defective" product as a standard type hitch. I normally tow my 30 foot TT at 70 MPH with ONE HAND on the steering wheel.

I am glad that mandate was not in effect when I purchased my last truck and trailer. Saved me a few bucks and I do not need a Hensley to safely tow my trailer.

[TenOC]

jayco302fk wrote:
I dont care what he says, but I will tell you if you go with the Hensley you will never go back to your current hitch. Good luck

The same "lift" due to wind would be much worst with a "standard" hitch.

In my option, it should be against the law to sell a TT without a Hensley or ProPride type hitch. If I was a lawyer I would love to sue a TT sales company for selling such a "defective" product as a standard type hitch. I normally tow my 30 foot TT at 70 MPH with ONE HAND on the steering wheel.