willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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Quote:It is cheaper than the Hensley, don't you wonder why?
The ProPride is cheaper because the person running ProPride found a way to manufacture the product for less. That, and as I understand it he doesnt have to cover as much overhead as Hensley does. Thats what this country is about, and how you succeed in business: Find a way to make a product better, and sell it for less than the competition.
Haven't we all always wondered, if it wouldnt be possible to make a hitch like the Hensley and sell it successfully, for a bit less than $3000?? Well, apparently someone else with much better knowledge of it thought that also, and now they are doing it. 
Like anything else, when businesses compete, we all win. 
Quote:If it were me, I would go with the Hensley. I sure don't want to spend a lot of money on a white elephant. Hensley has been around for quite a while and will probably be around for a long time in the future. Pro-Pride? No way to tell.
Good point. Indeed, there is a bit more risk with the ProPride, since its brand new.
However, given the following:
1. The ProPride hitch is already out and owners are already talking of how well it works
2. The person that designed the ProPride (and has applied for another patent on it), is the same person that originally invented the Hensley (Jim Hensley)
3. The person running ProPride is the same person that was VP of Hensley for several years
...I'd say there's pretty good odds that the ProPride is here to stay. Personally, as a Hensley owner, I'm a lot more concerned about whether or not Hensley will be able to compete, and stay in business. They have some fierce competition now, with a competitor selling a somewhat better hitch, for over $500 less...
To the original poster: Good luck with the new ProPride. Please let us know how it goes.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis ("No Taxpayers were harmed by the makers of this MH's chassis")
Our Rig
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Wobblepin
Hendersonville N.C.
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Joined: 01/15/2007
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White elephant?
They have a money-back guarantee so what could loose. I only have a few hunderd miles on my Propride so far it has worked great. It does what they said it would do.
Jack
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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Joined: 07/21/2007
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Wobblepin wrote:White elephant?
They have a money-back guarantee so what could loose. I only have a few hunderd miles on my Propride so far it has worked great. It does what they said it would do.
Jack
It's only a white elephant if ProPride does not survive.
I wonder about patent infringement. It will be interesting to watch.
I have no arguement with the ProPride and firmly believe that the free market benefits everyone. I am glad the buyers who posted are happy with theirs and hope they keep us posted down the road so we all know how it performs and wears.
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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Joined: 09/12/2005
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Just out of curiosity, did you have a problem with a more conventional hitch that is causing you to move to the high end models. It doesn't seem like your TT is that large considering what your're pulling with.
I'd be very interested to hear if the Hensly type is noticably superior to your previous hitch.
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
1997 Jeep GC Limited ---toad
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited TRD (Retired)
2009 Cougar 268 RLS ~8700 lbs road wt (Retrired)
2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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wayne_tw wrote:I wonder about patent infringement. It will be interesting to watch.
..Glad you brought that up.
Look up the patent information. You'll find that the Hensley patent expired, that hitch is no longer even covered by a patent anymore. Anyone that wants to, can start up a company building a hitch like that.
OTOH, Jim Hensley *HAS* applied for a patent, on the specific changes/improvements he made with the new ProPride hitch (so Hensley company couldnt come back and duplicate those improvements).
Soooo, technically, the ProPride *is* (or soon will be) covered by a patent, the Hensley is not.
Suffice it to say, that if there's ever going to be a patent infringement, it will NOT be ProPride that gets snagged for it.
Quote:I have no arguement with the ProPride and firmly believe that the free market benefits everyone. I am glad the buyers who posted are happy with theirs and hope they keep us posted down the road so we all know how it performs and wears.
I agree 100% with that.
As I said before, I'm a little concerned as a Hensley owner, about the future of Hensley (since the lifetime warranty I have obviously depends on Hensley company's survival). If ProPride thrives in this market like it appears they might, Hensley better figure out a way to remain competitive, or they could well sink, eventually.
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txtaco
Richmond, Texas
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Joined: 11/13/2004
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Well I went and ordered me a ProPride..... I'll let ya'll know how the install turns out.
To answer bluwtr49's question.... The current setup I have is a cheapo dealer hitch with one "friction" control bar. In all honesty, I could probably have lived with it by myself, but I have two precious pieces of (8 and 4 year old DS) cargo that I'm willing to spend the extra cash to safeguard.
* This post was
edited 06/20/08 04:27pm by txtaco *
2004 GMC 2500HD CC 6.0/4.10 4x4
2008 Jayco G2 32BHDS
Pro-Pride Hitch
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'68Monaco440HP
Corpus Christi, Texas
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Joined: 11/14/2003
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I posted a couple of links in this thread that may be of interest; an installation with pics. And, a discussion that outlines some differences; both from another RV site:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21558042.cfm
[Sold] 1983 [34'] Model 3411 Silver Streak
1976 32' Continental Supreme Silver Streak at present
2004 DODGE 305/555 ISB, QC SRW LB NV-5600, 7,400-lbs & Hensley Arrow
Combination is above 15,000-lbs. 15-cpm solo, 25-cpm towing
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