Re: [A/S] Hensley emergency part kit

["Dick Kenan" <as5368@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I was thinking about how easy it would be to lose some of the 
Hensley hitch parts - especially the OCL safety keys. 

     Or, to have them stolen.  I've got a chain and locks that I use 
to lock the springbar jacks to the A-frame of the trailer(one stolen 
once; enough to make me cautious).  That would make it difficult to 
steal the springbars or the jacks.

>Hensley has an emergency kit for $29.95 that contains all the small 
>parts that one could lose [snip]What do you Hensley onwer's think?
>Is it worth the investment.. or have you found 
replacements/substitutions that would work in a pinch (esp. the OCL 
safety keys)?

     If by "safety keys" you mean the linch pins (about 5/16" dia 
straight part, flattened on one side, with a big locking ring spring 
mounted into one end), you can get these at any tractor-supply 
store.  I got several at Bismark last year for 19 cents each!  
Apparently farmers use, and lose, a lot of these.
     I do have a small emergency kit, courtesy of Hensley.  It 
contains lots of parts.  Haven't looked up the one for sale, but it 
sounds the same. At $30, it's probably worth it. All you need to do 
is to lose a part that you need once, and that would cover the 
aggravation.
> 
> Also, does anyone have any experience with the tongue-twister (same 
web page)?

I have one, left over from my '72 Safari.  They work just fine.  They 
don't provide any resistance against movement, however, because of 
the smooth underside (don't ask me how I know this); but, of course, 
you use good chocks.  I actually use it occasionally, when my jack 
pedestal is too high. You get about 6" each side of motion, if you 
need it.  Ideal for standard (Reese, etc) hitches; less useful for 
the Hensley, since the front part of the Arrow moves laterally anyhow.

- Dick
(5368)