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Old 09-02-2023, 12:50 PM   #1
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Hensley/Pro Pride hitches pros and cons

Hi everyone. New to the forum but not to campers. We've been out of the camper world for a couple of years but are ready to jump back in. My question is about the Hensley or Pro Pride hitches. I've read a lot of good things about them but would like to hear some real world experiences about them, the good and the bad. Are they worth the money and do they function as good as advertised? Thanks for the input.
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Old 09-03-2023, 04:23 AM   #2
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Yes.
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Old 09-03-2023, 05:47 AM   #3
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I own a Pro Pride 3P hitch and will never tow a TT without one again. They are amazing.

Sway, even from passing trucks, is all but gone.
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Old 09-03-2023, 07:24 AM   #4
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I tow a 2023 30' Grand Design 2600RB with a 2013 Nissan Armada. The TT is well within the weight and towing design specs of the Armada in every way except for the Armada's short 123" wheelbase. Somewhere I read that the geometry of the P3 effectively adds about 40" to your tow vehicles wheelbase. Not sure if that's accurate but it sure seems to be true.

Using a traditional WD hitch and 2 friction type anti sway devices worked but I always felt like I was driving on the edge of maintaining total control.

The ProPride P3 made all the difference in the world. I now feel fully in control. With no more push and pull from passing traffic and and no more lane wandering.

Hitching and un-hitching is now much easier too. It takes about half the time and strength it takes with a conventional WD hitch. You also get a much greater turning angle due to the additional length of the P3 and there is no need to release the bars to backup.

If you get one you should get the highest strength bars available. Bar tension is infinitly adjustable from zero to max (no counting chain links) so you simply tighten to your needed tension.

Installation and set up can be a little intimidating but ProPride provides excellent service and there are tons of YouTube videos.

I'll never tow again without a ProPride. Expensive but worth every penny.
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Old 09-03-2023, 10:06 AM   #5
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Pros
Makes a TT tow like a 5th wheel. BTDT

Cons
Price
Hitching/unhitching on uneven ground can be frustrating.
1400 lb max TW
Adds 200 lbs to the tow vehicles payload which in some cases can max it out.
Need an adaptor to tow an HA with a ball.

Is it worth it? In some cases yes. IMO most cases no. It's much easier to get the right size TV for the TT. It is a good compromise to needing an HD tow vehicle.
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Old 09-03-2023, 06:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cumminsfan View Post
Pros
Makes a TT tow like a 5th wheel. BTDT

Cons
Price
Hitching/unhitching on uneven ground can be frustrating.
1400 lb max TW
Adds 200 lbs to the tow vehicles payload which in some cases can max it out.
Need an adaptor to tow an HA with a ball.

Is it worth it? In some cases yes. IMO most cases no. It's much easier to get the right size TV for the TT. It is a good compromise to needing an HD tow vehicle.

Few TT's will exceed 1400 pounds of tongue weight.
Hitching and unhitching is a breeze on even or uneven ground. If you've used a ProPride you know that. A conventional WD hitch will add about 100 pounds to the payload. If your so close an additional 100 pounds puts you over, you should probably consider a different combination anyway and ball adapters are easy to come by.

Interesting that you say a "Con" is the $3K price but you think the easier solution is a $80,000 pickup truck.
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Old 09-03-2023, 08:13 PM   #7
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My 2 cents.
I've seen plenty of claims that a Hensley design hitch adds 200 lbs to tongue weight. I've also read plenty of claims from people who actually switched from a SOB to a Hensley design who, based on weighings, state that the actual change was in the range of +/- 25 lbs. Apparently the added distance between the trailer axle(s) and the TV receiver leaves more weight on the trailer axle(s).
The main, valid negative that I've come across, is that you will loose some clearance under the hitch. Rarely will this affect a lot of owners. It will be an issue if you are into serious boondocking where you are driving miles of forest roads where there can be very high road centers on a two track...
FWIW, I tow with a Propride and am very happy with it. Just can't decide if I want to upgrade the V2 WD jacks.
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Old 09-04-2023, 12:28 AM   #8
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I tow my Grand Design 2800BH with a Hensley Arrow on 2019 GMC AT4. I will never tow without it again. Way easier to hitch up. Even off center, incline, and/or decline. So easy to adjust. Cost? $1800. My dealer was nice enough to incorporate cost into my loan/monthly payment.
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Old 09-04-2023, 11:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hohenwald48 View Post
Few TT's will exceed 1400 pounds of tongue weight.
Hitching and unhitching is a breeze on even or uneven ground. If you've used a ProPride you know that. A conventional WD hitch will add about 100 pounds to the payload. If your so close an additional 100 pounds puts you over, you should probably consider a different combination anyway and ball adapters are easy to come by.

Interesting that you say a "Con" is the $3K price but you think the easier solution is a $80,000 pickup truck.
Point being buy the TT that fits the tow vehicle and you won't need to spend $4K. $3745 PP and $295 Hitch lot bar.
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Old 09-04-2023, 11:44 AM   #10
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I got my P3 with a brand new never removed from the box lot bar (which I've never needed either) for $2500 and expect to get the majority of that back when I sell it after I no longer need it.

A better deal than an $80K truck any way you cut it. Heck, it'd probably cost more to insure a new truck than it cost to buy a new P3 and the towing results are the same either way and the P3 will hold its value.

I've just never been a member of the "a monster truck is needed to fix all towing issues" camp. I figure there's more than one way to skin that cat.
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Old 09-05-2023, 12:29 PM   #11
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My camping buddy has one and loves it, especially for reducing sway. I'd get one if I had an undersized TV or one with a shorter than recommended WB. No hitch is going to make up the difference between a short wheelbase or undersized tow vehicle but if you're stuck with that combo, the hitch can help. Comparing the cost of a hitch to a truck is apples and oranges to put it mildly.


2 cents,
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Old 09-06-2023, 10:08 PM   #12
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Hensley arrow is worth every penny

Received mine thurs. took our 30 ft long billboard out for 3 day weekend. 70 mph like it’s not even back there. There is no comparison to the equalizer. Thank you Jesus is all I can say and Hensley mfg… this old man can finally relax again when towing well maybe not on I95..
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Old 09-08-2023, 12:12 PM   #13
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There's one for sale in the classified section of iRV2. It's the previous version but works just like the current version.
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