Re: [a/s] A/S Hitch

[owner-airstream@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

In a message dated 02/19/2000 10:12:27 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
SPHARRIMAN@aol.com writes:

<< Has anyone had any experience with the Pullrite ?  It's supposed to be 
very 
 similar to the Hensley and have all the towing characteristics of a fifth 
 wheeler. >>

The people who have Pullrites are all happy with them.  The downsides, and 
why I chose the Hensley are.... 1.  The Pullrite stays on the tow vehicle.  
Sell the truck, the hitch is gone.  2.  The Pullrite is only made for 
Suburbans and pickups... maybe vans (?)  3. The truck has to be modified for 
the hitch...the exhaust moved and something else.

There was a discussion of them on the RV newsgroup..... This post was from a 
guy who has a Pullrite and Hensley... his opinions.....unedited.

<<I was asked to add my two cents to the Hensley vs. Pull-Rite debate
via e-mail. I'll e-mail this, and post for the rest of you to add to the
debate.

I have two separate rigs. My personal unit is a Ford E350 towing a
33' SunnyBrook. It weighs about 9000 ready to roll. The rig at work
is an identical van towing a 27', 11,000lb utility trailer.We just got
a SuperDuty F350 Crew Cab Powerstroke to tow this, but I haven't
had the pleasure of driving that setup yet.

On my personal unit I have a Pull-Rite. On the work unit we have a
Hensley.  There isn't a night and day difference, but I prefer the
Hensley for a couple reasons.

First, I feel that the Hensley is more stable. I have never had either
unit in a position where I felt a jacknife was imminent, but the
Hensley just "feels" more stable in cross winds and when trucks
pass.

I have met the owner of Hensley Manufacturing, and he claims to
have objective data to prove the Hensley is really better. He also told
me that if he were me he wouldn't trade the Pull-Rite just to get
a Hensley. He thinks his is better, but not better enough that
it justifies removing the Pull-Rite. He also told me that he feels
the Pull-Rite and the Hensley are the only two safe hitches on the
market. I agree with him.

Second, the pivot point is near where it would be on a conventional hitch
on the Hensley. This allows MUCH tighter turns, and makes the unit
much more maneuverable. The Pull-Rite, though, is still more maneuverable
than a conventional hitch. I used to tow a 37' trailer, and made a U-turn on
a two lane road. I used both shoulders, but I did it without a problem.
Try THAT with any hitch other than a Pull-Rite or Hensley!!

Another point in the Hensley's favor is that it stays with the trailer. It
attaches to any tow vehicle with a standard 2" receiver. Pull-Rite makes
a different unit for each tow vehicle. Unless you replace your tow vehicle
with an identical unit, you need to buy a new receiver. Last time I did
that,
in 1993, it cost me about  $700 for a receiver. If I had a Hensley I could
have exchanged that attachment bar if I needed a different offset. I think
they exchange for free.

In a few years when I replace my van (probably with a Ford Excursion!)
I will get a Hensley.

Mark       '30 Ford Model 'A'                            '98 Ford Taurus
              '59 Edsel Corsair                       '99 Mercury Cougar
              '94 Ford Club Wagon w/7.3L Hypermax Turbo Diesel
              '98 SunnyBrook 33FKDS Travel Trailer >>

Hunter