Truck Equipment - Hitches
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Hensley Arrow Hitch
Frequently Asked Questions

How are trailer sway problems eliminated by any hitch/sway system?
Sway occurs in every conventional trailer system because of the joint between the trailer and tow vehicle. This joint allows the trailer to pivot in an uncontrolled manner. Because of this pivot, it is possible to start a rhythmic oscillation between the trailer and the tow vehicle. The only way to eliminate this sway is to make the vehicle combination "think" and "act" like a straight unit, a straight truck if you will. If you can limit this unwanted oscillation, sway will be minimized, or in the case of the Hensley Arrow sway problems will be completely eliminated.

How does the Hensley Arrow eliminate sway?
The Hensley Arrow takes advantage of a set of two linkages that converge and, in essence, create a trapezoid where the ball/hitch joint used to be. The geometric layout of the two converging links only allows flexing of the trapezoid from the tow vehicle side of the combination. It produces the best of two worlds.

First, from the tow vehicle side, this design allows for totally free movement of the tow vehicle (the tow vehicle has 100% control over the trailer). When the tow vehicle turns or changes direction, the trailer has to follow. There is no friction involved.

Second, from the trailer side, the trailer can not produce oscillation motion upon the tow vehicle (the trailer has 0% influence over the tow vehicle and it's driver). From the trailer end, it is acting like a straight truck.

How does the Hensley Arrow differ from a conventional friction sway system?
As noted above, sway is eliminated by making the vehicle combination act like a straight truck. The way a friction system works is to try its best to keep a trailer from becoming a trailer. By shear force it tries to create a straight truck. The problem of sway is between the joint of the trailer and the tow vehicle. Eliminate the joint and you will never have sway, it is 100% impossible. So in theory, so far so good, friction works just fine. Now, add this part of the story:

The same sway bar that keeps the trailer straight, also keeps the trailer at any given angle. For any number of reasons (lane changes, truck air wave, emergency maneuvers, etc.), when sway starts, you have created an angle between the trailer and the tow vehicle. The sway bar is now working with the same amount of force to keep the trailer in the sway (or at the angle), as it was when it was trying to keep it out of sway. It is actually a very simple physics fact, the friction device is the worst possible design (it is a bad bandage). Think about an emergency lane change, which is in essence, a slalom course you never planned on being in.

The key word is "force." Ask anyone that understands their friction system and they will invariably use the word "force." We do not believe, and have not seen to date, that a friction system has enough "force" to control a 5000 pound hunk of steel on wheels. Think about that for a minute, a person is relying on a small friction slide system to do two opposing actions:

• To slide and allow movement when needed...
• And then to hold 100% true when it needs to.

Any engineer would tell you that this is not possible. You are asking a simple friction device to "think."

It is a common belief that a conventional friction anti-sway system is a simple mechanical fix. It is, in fact, just the opposite. It has any number of variations to contend with including:

• No way of knowing how tight the system is set, or how tight to set it;
• As the system heats (which it does quickly), the friction coefficient changes dramatically;
• Vibration can loosen the tension on the system;
• Rain can effect the level of friction when the bar gets wet;
• And so on...

The friction system is, in fact, a physics nightmare. The Hensley Arrow is on the opposite side of the scale. It does not rely on any friction device. It is a free-flowing system. By simple geometry, the Hensley eliminates movement caused by forces on the side of the trailer and allows the tow vehicle to completely control the direction of the trailer. The problem is eliminated. There is nothing to "set," "adjust," or "tension" (Note: there is still weight distribution, but that is a different issue).

Is weight distribution equipment included on the Arrow system?
The Hensley Arrow system is all inclusive. The only other equipment you need is a properly rated 2" receiver on your tow vehicle. Of course, the proper trailer/tow vehicle wiring is also needed. One of the main advantages (one that has attracted many of our owners) is this inclusive design. There are no weight distribution spring bar to take on and off. They stay with the system already "mounted" on the trailer.

With the design of the spring bar controls, you can have infinite adjustment on the ride and "feel" of the trailer/tow combination...you can adjust the ride and feel. This ability to adjust is particularly handy because you can stop, on-the-road, and make fine adjustments based on your needs at the time. Many of our owners find that this adjustment is so convenient they change the adjustment for husband and wife tastes in driving feel.

Can I install the Hensley Arrow myself?
Yes. The hitch was designed from the beginning to be installed by the end user. A complete step-by-step installation manual, with pictures, is provided. There is also the free 800 number to call for factory direct assistance.

What if I change tow vehicles or trailers?
Changing tow vehicles or trailers is no problem at all. In fact, the hitch was designed from the start to account for such changes. If you change trailers, the hitch transfers fully to the new trailer with all the same parts.

If you change tow vehicles it is possible that you will need a different hitch bar. The hitch bar is what makes up any differences the tow vehicle and the trailer might have in height. If you need a different hitch bar we have a lifetime exchange program. Order the hitch bar that you need and we will ship it to you. When you return the old hitch bar, we credit your account for the bar. You ultimately only pay shipping costs. This program is available for lifetime of original ownership!

How does the 60-day money back guarantee work?
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the Hensley Arrow, we will return your investment, 100%. We are so confidant in our product that we not only offer this guarantee, but we will cover the shipping cost to return it to us. It is a no-risk trial where YOU can have your own personal demonstration of "The Ultimate Towing Experience."

Not only is there a 100% satisfaction guarantee, but we also warranty all the parts of the hitch for the lifetime of your ownership!

There has to be a "down-side" to the Hensley Arrow.
Thus far, we have only found one down-side to the Arrow. We caution owners not to become over confident in their towing. With the Hensley Arrow, the tow combination drives so nicely that drivers can over drive the abilities of their tow vehicle. It has nothing at all to do with trailer stability, but one can certainly drive too fast for conditions, for the turn they are about to make, or for assured-clear stopping distance. Certainly we feel our system is far superior to any other tow system on the market and believe it will keep a trailer on the road far beyond any other system, but it cannot cure over-confident poor driving.