Hensley Hitch vs a basic WDH with Sway Bar

[Iowa Dave]

When we hauled tractors, backhoes, dozers, etc, we paid attention to get the heaviest part of the load centered over the axles. Then we would creep the load forward or backward to level up the trailer and tow. Towing very slightly nose down on the trailer tongue assured a tight lockup on the rig when traveling over rough roads, railroad tracks, road dips in intersections etc. This is somewhat different than towing the Escape in that you can’t adjust then centering of the load very much. Adjusting the tongue weight is mostly through adding or subtracting weight on the ends. That said, the 10 to about 12.5 % tongue weight will often leave the rig slightly nose heavy. Adjustment of the WDH compensates for that and a solid lockup can be achieved. I’ve never paid much attention to side to side travel trailer loading but the tongue scale is a good thing to have and use. No sway and no porpoising are good things. If you have a garage or flat wall you can pull up to, you can check your horizontal alignment before and after hookup using the headlights at about 10 feet back from the wall. Match the with and without trailer on, headlight focus. You’ll need a level surface for the rig to set on. You can also measure the height from the ground to the top of the arc of your fender before and after hookup. This will keep you from annoying oncoming drivers with your headlights on low beams. Sherline Scale tape measure and garage door “Where science meets shade tree.”
Iowa Dave