Re: [A/S] hensely hitch question

["Dick Kenan" <as5368@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

     Like Hunter, I never used that method to hitch up, although 
that's what they tell you to do.  If you have to do it alone, just 
follow Hunter's directions...she's been doing it, and doing it well, 
for several years.  
     The key to easy hookups, in my view, is making sure you're lined 
up both with the trailer line and vertically.  What I try to do to 
keep vertical alignment is to be sure to *unhitch* carefully, 
to "loose and a bit" on the spring bars, as your manual says.  That 
process basically "remembers" the vertical angle of your hitch, so 
you don't have to do that swapping back and forth of the bar.  
     If you forget to do that, you can restore the angle by going off 
to one side and viewing the hitch bar and the hitch itself from the 
side (naturally, with the truck and its bar close to the hitch).  Use 
the springbars and springbar jacks to adjust the angle.  The threads 
on the jack are fairly coarse, so just adjust a little at a time and 
check again.
     A few times hooking up, and you'll lose your timidity.  Oh, and 
one other thing...look at the little "U" brackets that attach your 
springtbars to the jacks.  If the hole that receives the clevis pin 
is oval shaped, i.e., longer vertically than from front to back, then 
OK.  If the hole is simply a round hole, then go to the Hensley site 
and order the newer ones.  IIRC, it's around $12.00 for new brackets, 
but it's well worth it.  I believe these are standard on all new 
Hensleys; however, I purchased mine new in February,2000, and had the 
old ones.  The oval holes allow just a little bit more vertical 
motion on the hitch body, and I've found that that makes all the 
difference.
     Just be patient.  You have a great hitch...keep it adjusted and 
you'll soon love it and won't be intimidated by the hookup procedures.

- Dick
(5368)