Community Forums

C130 · 04-08-2015, 12:25 PM

I just bought a used Hensley TS3 and have a couple of questions and would also appreciate any suggestions or recommendations with this hitch. It's in excellent condition and it's the newer model with both airbags and shocks. It also has a built in air compressor which I didn't initially realize until I got home with it. Do most of toy TS3 owners just use the button on the side of the hitch or what are the other options for adjusting the air? I thought I had read somewhere that there was a remote for the air compressor, is this true? I saw on the Hensley website where there was a switch with an air pressure gauge, just trying to figure out the best option.

I have the Ford factory 5th wheel prep and already ordered the Hensely adapter. Expensive but I'm sure very well made like their hitches.

glennwest · 04-08-2015, 06:41 PM

I can't comment on your hitch but mine came with it's own pump, lines, level switch, wiring. Mine comes on automatically when it is compressed. I would think Hensely would set theirs up this way if pump comes with it.

C130 · 04-08-2015, 08:10 PM

Thanks, looks like there's a couple of options and one being the switch on the side of the hitch. I think this is all I need but I'll call Hensley and see what the other options are. I see a wired gauge and switch for inside the vehicle in the accessories list but wondering if there's a wireless switch available.

glennwest · 04-08-2015, 08:16 PM

I added a toggle switch on the side of my hitch to kill power when not hooked up. It would cycle due to heat from sun expanding bags.

C130 · 04-19-2015, 06:43 PM

I finished installing the hitch yesterday and went to hook it up to my 5th wheel today. The 2" spacer appears to be just about the right height but I didn't get a chance to take it out of the storage unit and tow it around. Severe storms were headed my way so I left which was a good thing as it hailed pretty hard about an hour after I got home.

Any suggestion or hints on hitching and unhitching? I have the Blue Ox bedsaver so I learned I need to unhitch, pull slightly forward, then raise the 5th wheel to clear the bedsaver. I had read this on another forum but forgot until the bedsaver caught the pin but I was pulling out very slowly so caught it before moving the 5th wheel. Unhitching seems fairly straight forward now but would like to know the best suggestions for hitching up. I had let the air out per the instructions but realized I need to push the head completely down because the 5th wheel just pushed the head down when I backed up. Guess my concern is doing this and high hitching. Do you want the TS3 head as far down as it'll go before hooking up? I can definitely see this is going to take me a few times to get the sequence down and different than my other hitches.

glennwest · 04-20-2015, 12:20 PM

We just let rams down until weight is off hitch. Ours lets air out as weight comes off. We then pull out. Let rams up until level. I don't usually have to do anything but back up to hitch hooking up. We have ours level towing so it is right height for hitching. This is when park is level.

C130 · 06-04-2015, 06:22 AM

I towed my 5th wheel toy hauler yesterday for the first time using the Hensley TS3. Huge difference in towing with a much improved ride quality. I had heard lots of positive reviews but was still surprised by what a difference the air hitch makes. There were times I could see the 5th wheel moving around quite a bit and not feel anything in the truck.

Fortunately, I was able to buy mine used at a great price as they are very expensive. It's a lot of money, especially for people who only tow their 5th wheel a few times a year. They are very heavy but built like a tank which I like. I've used two other 5th wheel hitches and there is no comparison, not even close. We are about to head out on a couple thousand mile trip so I'll get a lot more experience towing with the TS3 but I already see why air ride hitch owners highly recommend them.