Sunday, April 20, 2014

ProPride 3P Hitch

This is my first post on our "As We Travel" blog. I wanted to be able to share our travel experiences with our family and friends which led to this blog. 
My first post deals with our new, no sway, ProPride 3P (Pivot Point Projection) hitch. The hitch is designed to project the pivot point of the trailer hitch close to the rear axle of my truck. This projection makes the trailer handle more like a fifth wheel and reduces wind generated sway.
I did the installation myself but didn`t have time to take pics but took some as I was making adjustments.

This is our TT, a 31' RVision Onyx manufactured by a division of Monaco in 2011. It has a rear bunk room, which we use for storage, two slides and an outside kitchen.
We've spent over 100 nights in the TT since our first trip in June of 2012.






 The ProPride 3P hitch installed. It has built in weight distribution and anti sway.
I decided to install this hitch after towing across West Texas in 35 mph crosswinds with a mechanical anti sway device. After the first day of towing I noticed the 3/4 inch shank on the sway device anchor ball was BENT! While buying a new ball I was told that the ball was designed to shear off (!) rather than bend the anti sway device. I wondered where Lynda, the trailer and I would end up if this occurred while towing in high cross winds.


 A closer pic of the 3P with the large, square receiver for the "stinger" on the front of the hitch. Weight Distributing bars are below the frame. The WD bars are cranked up using an electric drill or ratchet. No more straining to lever chains in place with a long bar!



The 3P "stinger" which attaches the trailer to the truck. As you can see it is substantial.                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                             

Trailer and truck hitched, leveled and ready to tow. Hitch up time is much less than with a conventional weight distributing hitch.
I haven't test driven the trailer yet as we've been getting it ready by de-winterizing, cleaning the inside, disinfecting the waterlines, etc., etc.                                                                                                  
All hooked up! Test drive this week, hope it's windy!