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Hensley Propride shopping, buying and experiance

RinconVTR
Explorer
Explorer
PPP (Pivot Point Projection) hitches. There are only two and Iโ€™ve encountered a lot of mystery surrounding them in regards to price, options and differences among them, and various proโ€™s and conโ€™s you may not have collectively read before. I wish to share my own experience and results to save many of you the effort of hassling for a good price, avoid being ripped off and to select a company and or person, that suits you best long term.

Terry is Hensleyโ€™s only (or most active) sales person. He is straightforward and nice. Although I could have done without emailed pictures failed Propride stingers because I can find drastically more failed Hensley images on the web (my own included) than I can Propride. Other than that, they have been ok dealing with an unusually high number of issues I've encountered, some of which Iโ€™ll mention here.

They also have a chain option instead of screw jacks. I've had issues with the screw jacks unwinding while I drive and might try chains next year if problems continue. They are the same price for either or...donโ€™t be fooled into an upcharge.

Hensleyโ€™s best remanufactured price - $1695. I missed the โ€œblowoutโ€ date and paid $1795.
Best new was $2395 + $110 shipping.
Standard pricing is around $3,000 + $110 shipping






For Propride, Sean seems nice and many people have nothing but good things to report. However, get him outside of his salesmen shell and you'll find more often than not, displays a very poor attitude on forums and that turn many people off. He was far worse than Hensley when discussing the competition. (Bad blood, I know all about it...who cares!)

Sean says he will match Hensleyโ€™s re-manufactured pricing for a new Propride but also says he doesnโ€™t play price games. But he does. When you show him anything lower than $1995 from Hensley, he stops responding. I have an instant message from him stating he has sold new Proprides for far less than $2k, but then does nothing to back it up. In fact, because he would not respond to me for 3 weeks (with follow-ups) after providing Hensley pricing to match, I bought the Hensley. Even a few months later, the very same scenario was repeated with him. And it didnโ€™t just happen to me.

He sells all day long on eBay for $1995, although these days the eBay site says remanufactured. So does he really price match anything to sell a NEW Propride? If you bought one for this price or less, I'd be happy to hear it.

Propride Used = $1995 + $300 shipping (And you wonโ€™t find this on eBay search for Propride...you have to search "Hensley". Real shady IMO.)
Standard Price = $2345 + 195 shipping
Best Price = ???? Unconfirmed.




Regarding the products:
Hensley has serious manufacturing quality issues and many weak points. I cannot begin to tell you how many items I have shipped back parts for replacement, at one point sending the entire unit back and buying another unit...but brand new. I still had problems, just different problems compared to the reman unit. Inspect your hitch often and in detail when you receive it, during and after every trip.

They have the extreme splattered welds and flaking paint I have NEVER seen on something I've paid money for. There are many set screws to shear off and many clips that if lost or damaged... render the unit useless.

Hensley does have the easiest installation which allows one unit to be swapped trailer to trailer very quickly. If you buy a 2nd set of jack brackets, swap time is just minutes.

Propride installation time is higher and more cumbersome because their yoke sits under most TT LP tank platforms and they have huge bolts requiring sockets and torque wrenches most people do not have in their tool box. And more U-bolts than the Hensley, which all adds up to the lack of struts you see on the Hensley.

Manufacturing quality is much higher. Better paint and drastically better welds. They also have an adjustable stinger, for height and angle. However, plenty of them have broken and they weigh more than the Hensley stinger. The main head does have some extra steel flange material around the spring bar bearings, where Hensleyโ€™s have been shown to fail. For whatever reason, Hensleyโ€™s version has not been improved in the slightest for decades, likely due to fear of patent infringement.

Propride claims no drilling, but many people are in fact adding large screws (same as Hensley) to the jack brackets like Hensley does so they do not slip off. Propride jack brackets are not the best design, but they work, when they donโ€™t slip. Propride, like Hensley does have the option to use chains vs jacks, which mount conventionally and may eliminate a number of issues.

My biggest concern is Propride is a one-man band. I'm not sure who produces the Propride, if 100% internal or contracted out and shipped from a warehouse. But there is no contact other than Sean. What happens when he's not available? I'm not sure. Hensley is not a huge company, but they do have many contacts and an emergency number to call if needed.

Comments related to both units;
Neither is better than the other. Period. For every advantage/disadvantage one may have, the other can counter with something. The PEOPLE and COMPANY you buy from however, are drastically different.

BOTH PERFORM LIKE NO OTHER. (plenty of nay-sayers donโ€™t believe it because they never tried one) And they perform identically because they use the exact same hitch ball lockout and 4 bar linkage down to a fraction of an inch to project the pivot point. Their trailer connections are also the same (over center latches) with slight geometry differences that have not shown to make any difference.

They are both HIGH maintenance, despite ANY claim. There are so many moving parts, nuts and bolts and jacks to always check. They both require greasing very often, which is messier IMO than any other hitch on the market.

Finally, anyone ever see a hitch "leak oil"? These hitches do! When the grease separates (more often when the hitch bakes in the hot summer sun) you WILL have oil spots.
36 REPLIES 36

jmtandem
Explorer II
Explorer II
On the other hand, why not pull a $35k trailer with a $400 hitch? You know, the ones that are lighter, easier to install and adjust, easier to hitch/unhitch, etc., etc....


Sounds like you never towed with a premium hitch or you would not have
made your comment. Once set up the ProPride and Hensley are easier to hitch and unhitch than most $400 hitches. The hitch head stays with the trailer and the only issues are the stinger, locking the hitch to the stinger that takes all of ten seconds with overlatch wrenches and adjusting the tension on the bars. And they are not messy, no grease on the ball, and no heavy hitch head to lift into the receiver before it can be used. Kind of elegant in their operation, really!
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.

SprinklerMan
Explorer
Explorer
I picked up my pro pride 3 years ago . off craigs list . I had a question about the stinger . So I called Sean on fathers day , expecting to leave a message on a business line . Nope It was his cell and he answered it . I told him I could call him back , he said no and asked me what the problem was . He sent me a new part , on his dime . I told him that wasnt necessary I just needed info . He said NO , this is what he wanted to do . NEVER have I had customer service like this , he went above , over and beyond anything he had to do .
Thats how to run a business . I have recommended him to anyone that asks about the weird looking hitch on my trailer

camp-n-family
Explorer
Explorer
On the other hand, why not pull a $35k trailer with a $400 hitch? You know, the ones that are lighter, easier to install and adjust, easier to hitch/unhitch, etc., etc....


I started out with a basic Husky hitch with friction sway bar, moved up to an Equil-i-zer and then finally a Hensley. Out of the 3 I find the Hensley the easiest to use and adjust. Yes, it is heavy and cumbersome but once it is installed you only have to deal with the stinger, which is lighter than a typical WD hitch head. Installation is no more difficult than any other hitch either.

Adjustability with the screw jacks is easier and more precise than chains or L brackets and requires no tilting of hitch heads. It is also cleaner in that everything stays attached to the tt. Only thing I touch is the stinger which needs no grease. Hitching needs a little more precision but once you're used to it it's easy, especially with a backup cam.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley

Jframpey
Explorer
Explorer
I bought the propride 2 1/2 years ago - no issues, and tows like a dream. I have the towers and have had no issues. I give it a shot of grease occasionally but no other requirements. I bought the heaviest load leveling bars initially (1200?) and had to buy the next size down - the ride was too harsh. Sean was helpful everytime we talked - I don't remember the exact price but felt I got a reasonable deal.

The paint is fading and chipping a little - I think Ill touch it up a bit! The chores never end!

icanon
Explorer
Explorer
elidodge@msn.com wrote:
I have the ProPride with zero issues. I am very happy,enjoyed doing business with Sean. They are not cheap....Bobby


Same here I'm very happy with mine and have no problems with tower slippage.
Would I buy another yes without hesitation.
Loving wife and 2 beautiful daughters.
Chocolate Lab, Lily
2014 Dodge Ram Laramie Hemi 5.7 with 3.92
2014 Dutchmen Kodiak 290BHSL
ProPride 3P Hitch
Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C
Love my Weber Q1200
Me a Happy man on retirement!!!

Keith_Haw
Explorer
Explorer
I love my Pro Pride and have had it for about 3 years. After talking with Sean on the phone I got it New for $1900 plus shipping. It's worked great but I did replace the towers with chains and snap up brackets. Sean has been very helpful with all my dumb questions to. My only concern now is the ground clearance mounted on the new trailer. It only has about 5"-6" between the bars and the ground and we do mostly boondocking.

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
I don't own either, but towing a 35ft TT with an Excursion with a Reese Dual Cam I have never once thought or wished I needed anything more!

And I saved $1500!

Sorry, just thought I needed to add another con to both. Very expensive for something that doesn't or may not be needed!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

TurnThePage
Explorer
Explorer
elidodge@msn.com wrote:
I have the ProPride with zero issues. I am very happy,enjoyed doing business with Sean. They are not cheap,but why would you pull a $35,000 trailer with a $400 hitch? Bobby
On the other hand, why not pull a $35k trailer with a $400 hitch? You know, the ones that are lighter, easier to install and adjust, easier to hitch/unhitch, etc., etc....

I'm not disparaging these venerable hitches, just the hoity toity part.
2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

Thumper13
Explorer
Explorer
I've had my Propride for 3 years on a 27 ft R-Vision and I could not be happier. I found Sean to be helpful both during and after installation and I'm about to move the Propride to a 2011 Dutchmen Denali 262rb. Never had slippage with jack towers or leakage. Best money I ever spent.

elidodge
Explorer
Explorer
I have the ProPride with zero issues. I am very happy,enjoyed doing business with Sean. They are not cheap,but why would you pull a $35,000 trailer with a $400 hitch? Bobby

Lspangler
Explorer
Explorer
I really like my propride. I had to get steel plates from sean to stop my jacks from tipping over. I do get a few grease drips in the hot sun.

The adjustable stinger has been awesome. I get a new truck every 2 years

I really did not like talking to Terry when I was shopping, he called me constantly. Sean answered my questions without calling me once. Install on my v nose windjammer was easy

Linc

jmtandem
Explorer II
Explorer II
All good responses so far, thanks for keeping it mostly professional.

Call me a fool, but I not only bought one reman Hensley from Hensley but I bought a second, new unit after having so many issues with the Reman. There are many reasons why, the biggest I've stated already. To be more detailed, I was not super confident in the welded, bolted, adjustable stinger on the Propride, nor to I like their jacks, and stand alone hanger bar piece (jack hook to weight distribution bar). Those are all cost cutting measures I did not like, though they perform fine, for the most part.


I think the logic for your acquisition of a Hensley (or in your case two Hensleys after the reman had too many issues) makes perfect sense to you but how your presented it here left the door open for speculation. Hope is all works out for you this time.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.

RinconVTR
Explorer
Explorer
jmtandem wrote:
The OP states that Propride has better quality, better paint, better welds. ProPride costs about the same new as a used, pre-owned Hensley. The OP bought Hensley. The Hensley folks must be super salespeople.


All good responses so far, thanks for keeping it mostly professional.

Call me a fool, but I not only bought one reman Hensley from Hensley but I bought a second, new unit after having so many issues with the Reman. There are many reasons why, the biggest I've stated already. To be more detailed, I was not super confident in the welded, bolted, adjustable stinger on the Propride, nor to I like their jacks, and stand alone hanger bar piece (jack hook to weight distribution bar). Those are all cost cutting measures I did not like, though they perform fine, for the most part.

Someone asked if I actually owned a Propride. Not personally, but I've installed one. A very good friend of mine picked one up for $1800, and even used it looked really good. Dont ask me why he paid that much, I think he was PO'd about it. He used it 2-3 times then sold the TT with the hitch and bought a smaller TT and Equalizer.

jmtandem
Explorer II
Explorer II
The OP states that Propride has better quality, better paint, better welds. ProPride costs about the same new as a used, pre-owned Hensley. The OP bought Hensley. The Hensley folks must be super salespeople.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.

ReneeG
Explorer
Explorer
I cannot comment on the ProPride, but can a Hensley as we had one for close to 5 years before we purchased a FW. It worked flawlessly and we were extremely satisfied. They worked with us on giving us a trade in value on it for a TrailerSaver. Again, extremely satisfied.
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