Re: [A/S] Re: [A/S) Hensley hookups (long)

["Roger Hightower" <n7kt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hitching up is just the reverse of unhitching, :-).

Actually, the procedure outlined in the manual is OK, but has too many
steps.  Once you have unhitched, DON'T make any changes to the spring bars.
They should already be set to the correct angle, since the tension was
released when you unhitched.

If you had to use your tongue jack to level the trailer, you now have to
reset the hitch height to match your puller.  Put the tow bar in the
Hensley, and use the jack and your new gauge to set the _bottom_ of the
receiver portion of the tow bar to the unloaded height of the puller's
receiver.  Then move the tow bar to the puller.

The hardest part is centering the hitch from side to side...no matter if
it's a Hensley or a standard ball hitch.  Get or make one of those mirror
things that will let you see what's going on.  (CW has one...item #21332,
$29.99)  You'll also need to establish some visual "aiming points" for
steering.  I use the center of the inside rear view mirror, the center of
the rear window, and a mark on the center of the tailgate.  I line those up
with the center of the propane tank clamp and ease back until I feel the
hitch touch.

Then it's in and out to make the final adjustments.  Sounds a little
twitchy, but you'll begin to develop an eye for it, and it will go faster
each time.

Good luck,

Roger


Roger Hightower, N7KT
WBCCI 4165, VAC, TCT
1975 31' Sovereign, '02 F-250 PSD
Mesa, AZ
mailto:n7kt@att.net