Which hitch

[Danandfreda]

Hi everybody merry Christmas. Looking for some opinions on the good and not so good of each hitch. I see a lot of Henry’s ET hitches our there which might be the best choice but was also considering comfort ride. Can I get some personal opinions on what you have. Not looking to start a mines better than yours arguement just some user opinions. The biggest thing on comfort ride I see is the 30000 lb weight rating. That won’t be a problem now but with next trailer not sure exactly what a 42ft spacecraft or new horizon will weigh. Thanks for all you comments and have a good holiday. 

[GlennWest]

Et is the strongest built. For a NH or SpaceCraft that would be my choice. My Teton 5k pin weight and it works great

[Darryl&Rita]

Good idea to plan ahead for bigger and heavier trailers, Dan. In our opinion, any hitch running a factory Binkley head should be placed very low on the list, if not eliminated. The aftermarket heads have addressed the weaknesses in the factory hitch's lubrication and support system. 

[chief916]

Dan I use a Hensley TS3 for the road tractor when I haul the toy hauler, rating is I believe 20 or 24k.  I use the Hensley Arrow on the f350 to haul my TT. Witch is a lot less weight rating.

I first used the Anderson super hitch when I first started out.  It was fairly economical,  very light weight and very strong.  This hitch was ok for local jonts but when we did a couple cross country it beat the hell outta of us and the trailer.  At the time the TS3 came about I remember hearing about the Henry's ET hitches and I don't know anything about them.  The TS3 has served us well. 

Best of luck on your hitch hunt and have a Merry Christmas.

Ben "Chief 916"

[rickeieio]

Well Dan, it seems you're not skimping on the truck or trailer, so my vote would be step up and get the ET.  Not that the others are bad, just that the ET's a step, or two, ahead.

I've seen a lot of Binkleys with wear issues.  When ours gets shaky, I'll get an ET Jr.

[Steve from SoCal]

Many folks have seen the effort Henry went to regarding durability.     I don't think any of the other hitches have that level of refinement, not to mention the support.      While the ET Hitch is no longer Henry's baby the solid engineering and, overall strength of the product would make it my first and only choice.

 

Steve 

[Danandfreda]

Thanks guys that’s what I needed to hear. I only want to do this once so trying to get what’s going to last. We’ve been working on emptying the house and we’re pretty much down to our 2chairs in the upstairs living room. Sad but exciting time and busy. See ya in the spring 

[DesertMiner]

I understand the ET will be available in the near future with an “enhancement” that will allow you to “change out” the airbags to increase capacity without “swapping” out the complete hitch.

[Danandfreda]

Thanks that’s good to know. Will have to make a phone call soon. 

[Star Dreamer]

Our ET has a 32000# weight limit and an 8500# pin weight limit. Our pin weight varies based on what we have in the garage of the Toyhauler and with a Comfort Ride you have to add or remove air cells to adjust for pin weight. The ET does it automatically. Also the ET SR. comes with it's own mounting plate. The JR can be installed on your existing plate if you have one. I also have a picture of a failed Comfort Ride hitch head so they do kinda scare me on their ratings.

[SuiteSuccess]

Dan sent you a personal message.

[Danandfreda]

Thanks star dreamer

[Jack Mayer]

16 hours ago, DesertMiner said:

I understand the ET will be available in the near future with an “enhancement” that will allow you to “change out” the airbags to increase capacity without “swapping” out the complete hitch.

Yes that is true. You will be able to upgrade all the way to a 9/38K, and maybe to a 10/40.

 

[Jack Mayer]

The ET also has had a number of enhancements in the last year. Including an upward dampener to reduce any oscillation that "could" occur on an unbalanced trailer (too light a pin weight and axles too far forward). Also, a longer release arm is now available, if required. There have been a number of technical improvements that make manufacturing easier and more precise. 

 

[Danandfreda]

Thanks jack that helps

[dblr]

20 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

The ET also has had a number of enhancements in the last year. Including an upward dampener to reduce any oscillation that "could" occur on an unbalanced trailer (too light a pin weight and axles too far forward). Also, a longer release arm is now available, if required. There have been a number of technical improvements that make manufacturing easier and more precise. 

 

Can the new enhancements be done to ones say bought in the last few years? Just planning ahead

[Jack Mayer]

1 hour ago, dblr said:

Can the new enhancements be done to ones say bought in the last few years? Just planning ahead

The extended arm can be put on, but the rest would require an extensive rebuild. For those that have older Binkely heads and other items they wish to replace there is a swap-out program where your get an entire new hitch. But you don't want to do that unless you are having issues, since it is not particularly cheap. We can do the work in our shop.

 

[Star Dreamer]

On 12/23/2019 at 11:15 AM, Jack Mayer said:

The ET also has had a number of enhancements in the last year. Including an upward dampener to reduce any oscillation that "could" occur on an unbalanced trailer (too light a pin weight and axles too far forward). Also, a longer release arm is now available, if required. There have been a number of technical improvements that make manufacturing easier and more precise. 

 

Jack, do you have a picture of the extended arm and how much is the extension or total arm length? With the new Pin box we got from RVH, I could probably use an extension as it has a larger base plate than our original pin box and is hard for me to attach our releasing arm.

Dave

[phoenix2013]

I'm still around and kicking and happy to talk to you guys. For those who would like a comprehensive engineering "white paper" on hitches and why you need one in your HDT send me an email. Young's Welding who build the ETs now are doing a fantastic job and as Jack said incorporated all of the improvements I have been working on. Jack, whose company is 30 miles away from Young's, knows all the tricks and "secrets" of ETs.

Edited December 25, 2019 by phoenix2013