Hensley Hitch Used

Roadie66 · 09-02-2012, 11:42 AM

Found a Hensley hitch online for $1300.

Any recommendations on this hitch, what to look for when buying a used one etc.

Done some research and they seem to be the ultimate hitch both in price and user happiness. I do realize they are quite heavy.

Let me know what you think?

Ian

**Lloyd** · 09-02-2012, 11:50 AM

Ian, do some looking/search on the forum here. There was a pretty good thread going on hitches and Hensley was discussed. Good thread.
All I know about them is I had a friend who full timed and pulled a big Airstream. He had one and said his trailer was just like a string behind him. They are suppose to be the "Cadillac"
That sounds like a really cheap price. I would do some research and check things out. Maybe even contact Hensley. If it's all there and nothing wrong with it that would be a steal.

**Lloyd** · 09-02-2012, 11:54 AM

Here is the link.
http://www.crossroadsrv.com/forum/fo...ID=45638#45638

Roadie66 · 09-02-2012, 12:10 PM

Old Farmer,

Thanks for the link

Yup I read through those forums and as you said it looks like the Cadillac!. I've contacted the seller and asked for the spring bar weights and the serial number to run it by Hensley. They say they can do a history on it and check if I could get extended warranty. As well this should prove if it was "borrowed without permission" as I do not buy anything obtained that way no matter what the savings!

Pnr · 09-03-2012, 01:37 AM

I have one and wouldn't be without it. As far as them selling you an extended, there is really not much to go wrong with it.

They will do as good of a job as advertised, NO sway or whip ever. Cross winds no problem either.

Paul

ajlight · 09-03-2012, 11:41 PM

We have had ours for about 12 years. On the hitch itself look at the holes where the upper bars hook on at. We have a little wear there other than that no problem. Have replaced the pins upper and lower once. You can get them at any hardware or from Hensley. The only negitave I have with it is that you do not get quite the tension out of the bars as you would with a conventional hitch. As far as towing you do not even know the trailer is back there.

Good Luck

Roadie66 · 09-04-2012, 01:31 AM

Thanks ajlight! When you say you don't get the tension out of the bars does that mean the weight does not distribute as well?

Got the serial number from the owner and sent it into Hensley with some questions. We'll see when they get back to me.

ajlight · 09-04-2012, 09:39 AM

Our Trailer is a little heavy on the tounge. I have 1400 lb tension bars and it just seems like it is still a little heavy in the back of the T.V. The Suburban sits level and it tows just fine, they just do not tightenup as much as I would like. I have tried several adjustments and called Hensley and they said I have it set correctly. It is probably just me cause I have not had any problems towing this trailer in 4 years. Make sure if you get the hitch to get all of the instructions to install. It is pretty simple and takes about1 - 1 1/2 hours. You could always get them from Hensley and you may need to get a different tow bar depending on the height of your T.V. and they will trade you out. Nice company to deal with.

Good Luck

Roadie66 · 09-04-2012, 10:24 AM

ajlight,
Hensley got back to me right away and informed me that the hitch I was looking at was over 20 years old and would not qualify for any warranty.For another 9 hun I could get a full rebuilt hitch with everything for my unit, lifetime warranty, and the buy back option so I passed on the used one. They also said that I could get the chain style torsion bars and the would knock 3 hun off the rebuild price. 1300 seemed a little high for a 20 year old hitch.

harleyb · 09-04-2012, 12:05 PM

One came on my used Ford 250 Super Duty, had the dealer take it off as we pull a 5ver. Thought I'd sell it, wrong, ended selling it for scrap. What a waste, sells for closed to 3 grand new and made not 20 min. from me.

Roadie66 · 09-04-2012, 12:54 PM

They even buy them back and rebuild them at Hensley! Think you have to be the original owner though.

fhenn · 09-04-2012, 07:54 PM

If you are going to go that route check out Pro Pride

Roadie66 · 09-05-2012, 01:40 AM

Frank,
I thought about Pro Pride. Looks like they have a great product but......I have been reading a lot of other forums mainly to find information about other hitches including the Anderson Hitch. There are sure alot of armchair engineers out there but one thing I was not impressed with was the attitude of one person who is a member of quite a few forums and for that reason I am hesitant to buy anything from them. Getting sucked into online arguments just makes you look _________.

Just my opinion

ajlight · 09-05-2012, 02:11 AM

Do you have sway control now? A Hensley is a huge investment. Thereason we have ours is we were pulling a front kitchen with a Tahoe andthat short wheel base with a heavy front trailer was not a good combo. The axles on the trailer were almost in the middle of the trailer and our Cruiser RL axles are further back.If you had a good sway control I would think you would be ok with your truck. You also have to carefull how you loadtherig.Not trying to talk you out of buying a Hensley, just look at all of the options before you spend that many $$. We love ours, but probably do not need it with current setup.

Good Luck

Roadie66 · 09-05-2012, 02:27 AM

ajlight

Thanks for the input. I am also leaning away from the Hensley for the same reasons you stated. I was basically interested in a used one I found online. I am in a toss up right now between the new Anderson Anti Sway hitch and the tried and true Equal-i-zer. I have sifted through tons of other forums trying to find actual owner opinions on the Anderson but as I stated before it all turns into a bunch of armchair engineers debating the functionality of it. Right now I have no sway control just the hitch that the dealer provided with the trailer. I am hesitant to add any friction devices to my current hitch as a lot of people say they aren't worth it. I am taking the money that I would have to spend on 2 friction sway controls and putting towards whatever new hitch I decide to but. Besides I'm not really keen about drilling a bunch of holes in my trailer frame.

fhenn · 09-05-2012, 02:29 AM

Go to myrvtalk there is a lot of people there that uses both types of set ups. a very interesting site

Roadie66 · 09-05-2012, 02:53 AM

fhenn, tried to register over there but it would not accept my answers for the required questions?
I typed the anti spam exactly as posted but still said I was wrong and answered the random what is the subject of this forum question as Rving and said I got that wrong as well. tried it about 10 times with different answers with no success.....any tips?

avvidclif · 09-05-2012, 10:00 AM

My previous setup was a 25' BP with a GMC 1/2t PU. I used the friction sway control with the WD hitch. Anytime I forgot to tighten the sway control I could tell within a mile after getting on the freeway...Mumble mumble grumble kick rear, then stop and tighten sway control. Definitely made a difference. My 2 cents.

Problem solved with current setup....

Roadie66 · 09-05-2012, 10:10 AM

avvidclif

Did the friction sway controls actually work for you? I have read that with a trailer my size I would need 2 of them. I have also read(I've been doing alot of reading lately) that you can't back up with the friction bars connected? Also that they should be disconnected in any inclamate driving conditions?

Any light you can shed on this is appreciated as I am open to suggestions. Still don't know about drilling into the frame but......

fhenn · 09-05-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadie66

avvidclif

Did the friction sway controls actually work for you? I have read that with a trailer my size I would need 2 of them. I have also read(I've been doing alot of reading lately) that you can't back up with the friction bars connected? Also that they should be disconnected in any inclamate driving conditions?

Any light you can shed on this is appreciated as I am open to suggestions. Still don't know about drilling into the frame but......

PM me I have a address for you to get into MyRvTalk

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