befu wrote:
rsaylor3 wrote:
Will I still get the push pull of semis with the propride? My father in law says he doesn't feel it with his fifth wheel but I question that. He's got to feel that as well right?
I will say yes. On my 2500 burb with the trailer, when I get passed by a semi moving much faster than me, you get a slight push as they meet you, then you get pulled towards them as they pass. A bit un-nerving until you get used to it. Just too much sail area not to feel that. Bigger trucks may not move as much, but that is a lot of force not to have some feedback.
I have talked to a few truck drivers while unloading them, and they report the same. Not as severe, but when they are empty (only 30,000 lbs), they definitely feel passing semi's. They are just used to it and know it will only move so much, not getting sucked in. Wind does the same, especially in hills where it comes and goes. When loaded over 70,000 pounds, they say it is much more steady and harder to notice. They feel it but the truck really does not move side to side much.
If a truck driver in a 70,000+ pound rig can at least feel it, how does any RV not feel it? Not saying they are getting pushed around, but they feel the wind and force on the trailer.
Just my experience.
Because of the geometry of the linkage hitch the trailer does not translate the force of the push back to the TV.
In short the trailer absorbs the force so to speak and does not transfer the forces back to the truck.
My explanation may not totally accurate but my experiences have been free of the semi push.
One of the main reason I purchased my HA was I traveled I-81 regularly through PA, VA and WV. This road is loaded with Semi trucks traveling North/South that prefer to avoid I-95 and east coast congestion.
You can often be passed by 10-12 trucks in a row traveling in excess of 75 MPH. The frequent push of the trucks was nerve racking and made traveling I-81 a miserable experience.
I was a skeptic as well but I eventually broke down and purchased a Hensley after talking to the rep at the Hershey RV show.
I can only say that the Hensley worked. No more push,no more anticipating trucks, no more sliding as far right as possible when the truck approached. Just smooth sailing. The Hensley delivered a relaxing tow.
