ProPride 3P Hitch in Action | 1st Test Drive

[@wtalber]

Love our Propride. Just passed 20,000 miles towing our Classic 33 with a F350. We recently returned from a trip out west, encountered 30-40 MPH winds across SD, no sway. Our MPG took a hit, but no sway from the wind.

[@airstreamer]

It’s an amazing bit of engineering for sure. We’re towing an International 28 with a F150 and have the same experience. 20-30 MPH crosswinds in Minnesota, zero sway.

[@jondrew55]

Nothing beats the ProPride for towing. I love towing my 30 Globetrotter with it and my Ram 2500. As others have said, most of the time, hitching and unhitching are a snap. But that one time when it isn't, it's really an experience from hell. I have a small trolly jack that I use to lift the bottom of the trailer piece of the hitch for those really bad times. Also, if you back in at an angle, it can be impossible to get the food down between the bars, even if you can take the foot off.

[@airstreamer]

I really had my doubts if the hitch was truly worth the price. But a friend of mine (30 year cross country semi driver) got one and said he’d never tow a travel trailer without one. We did a trial run from Michigan to South Dakota and back (see the “Blessed Midwest” playlist) and it was amazing. Zero tug or sway - even where I90 was under construction and it was two lane traffic. 20 mph crosswinds and semi’s blowing by us - I was one hand on the wheel. Amazing!

[@Java62PR]

Take the plate off your trailer jack... just in case you make a sharp turn...it won't hit your bars...nice set up !

[@airstreamer]

Excellent tip! Had this exact scenario yesterday.

[@michellefisher8012]

Thank you William, great advice!

[@ChristineWinters-lw5qs]

THANK YOU! I've watched all kinds of videos explaining how this hitch works and why, but I just needed a step by step instructional video. I understand the importance of knowing all the "why it works the way it works", and I'm educated, but just needed a simple, straight-forward "watch me do it" video. So appreciated! I've been so nervous about our first trip.....feel a bit better now.

[@airstreamer]

Thanks so much. We still love the ProPride. We’ve towed 14 states so far and it’s preforming perfectly. One tip, remove the jack foot when leaving a site. Backing into a site may require your camper and tow vehicle to be at an angle and the w/d bars could be in the way of the foot and you’ll be unable to lower it. Our latest video explains it better than I just did. - Jim

[@Triciaa1024]

I love this! Can't wait to see where your travels take you!

[@airstreamer]

It will be an adventure for sure. Thanks for coffees! ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️

[@michellefisher724]

❤❤❤ Hi Tricia!

[@michellefisher8012]

Thank you so much Tricia for watching, subscribing, the gift of coffees, and commenting🥰 Hope you are well!

[@bmcga1]

Usually if you can get the stinger in the box it slides right in 19/20 times. Given that all of the WD pieces stay on the trailer, it's a faster hookup than most traditional hitches. But, there's a 2hr lesson in that 20th time where you're not level or twisted and it binds 1/2 way! Eventually you'll develop the skills to deal with those situations too. Also, the trailer backup software that's in newer trucks may get confused by the hitch. Mine (Toyota) tends to scream all sorts of panicky beeps at me and pop up giant red "BRAKE!" alerts, even going so far as applying the brakes automatically when in fact there's nothing wrong. It's nerve wracking so I mostly don't use the software anymore. It does tow like a dream though. Just the lack of fatigue alone is worth it.

[@airstreamer]

A learning curve for sure, but not overly steep. Our Ford just beeps crazily, it doesn’t apply any brakes. 😆

[@bmcga1]

@@airstreamer My first lesson was to use the WD bars to twist the hitch, especially when you have a lot of leveling blocks on one side so that the hitch and stinger aren't parallel. Second lesson was to level the trailer front to back and then bring the stinger up to the box height with the airbags in my truck. This is necessary in certain scenarios because if the slope of the ground is causing the stinger to point down and you're trying to drop the hitch height to match it, the whole hitch can pitch down such that the stinger wedges diagonally top to bottom in the box.

[@vincenthyland8048]

Awesome for you guys. God bless and enjoy!

[@airstreamer]

Thank you!

[@wanderingwanda9869]

Thank You for the informative Vlog, thinking of making a change from the BlueOx. Enjoying your Vlogs, and looking forward to watching more.

[@airstreamer]

Glad it was helpful! The hitch is amazing and does exactly what ProPride claims. When we bought Gemini, she came with a Reese w/d hitch that was fine, but we tow with a F150 and I was worried about cross winds and steep grades. With the ProPride I often forget the trailer is even there. We accidentally drove The Dragon’s Tail near Helen Georgia… twice… 😳 and had zero issues. Pro tip… don’t miss the entrance to the Top Of Georgia Airstream Park! 🤣 Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I did a factory tour of ProPride and hope to have that video finished for Sunday. Take care and we’ll see you down the road. 😁

[@michaelmaynard7873]

On hitching and unhitching we have found that the stinger is at 17" off the ground. We measure that and with the equalizers loose it slides right in. Love the hitch. Enjoy!

[@airstreamer]

Thanks for the info! We do love our ProPride hitch. Worst hitching we’ve had so far was when our truck was on a steep incline and the Airstream was level. We had to use levelers under the rear truck wheels and bar clamps set as expanders to hold the w/d bars as low as possible.

[@ronaldvaughn8152]

Oh I love it I would not drive my 31 footer without it It scared me and my wife would have to drive it cuz her dad raised her as a tomboy and she can pull anything but me I'd white knuckle it and now I'll drive it without any problems no issues Love it

[@airstreamer]

I was amazed how easy it was towing across the plains of Minnesota and South Dakota. One handed and no white knuckles!

[@cbdane]

Invest in the Forscan adapter and software. You can eliminate the double honk which will eventually drive you crazy. You can also remove “Full view not available” banner from the video screen. You’ll find the Propride hook-up will get very fast and easy.

[@airstreamer]

Interesting. I'll look into it.

[@ProPride3P]

Hi AirStreamer, awesome ProPride 3P® Hitch video! We’d like to feature it in a review ad and give you full credit. Is that alright with you? Thanks for the content!

[@airstreamer]

Hi Sean. I’ll phone you. - Jim 😁

[@gbenson]

Thanks for the video, well done. I recently bought the ProPride hitch but haven't yet bought my trailer. How long did it take you to install the ProPride? Or, if you hired someone, what was the cost to pay someone to install it?

[@airstreamer]

Thank you. I installed the hitch myself. It took a few hours. I’m not the best at reading directions, so it would have been quicker if I hadn’t installed the stinger upside down! 🤣🤣 I did film the installation process, and I picked up the hitch from the factory and filmed a complete tour. Keep watching for those videos, I’ll get them done someday! 😁🤪

[@tomilee78]

Loosen the tension of weight distribution spring bars and then align the bottom of the hitch box and the bottom of the stringer. It will smoothly slide in 10 out of 10 times. Make sure you have wheel chocks in place 😊

[@airstreamer]

Thanks! Your input is appreciated.

[@HoustonMtn]

I was wondering how long that black aerosol cap is going to hang on there on top of the hitch during this trip ... Oh, and it's gone now! Glad the Go Pro hung on, though

[@airstreamer]

HAHAHAHAHA! We never noticed that! 🤣🤣🤣

[@chadkoller7809]

Great video. How does it do with chucking?

[@airstreamer]

Thanks so much. I’ve never felt any chucking with the ProPride. In fact, I had to look up what “chucking” means 😆. The way the stinger latches into the receiver, there’s zero play or slop. Any back and forth motion would, I believe, be dampened or eliminated by the yoke and the pivot point projection unit. We’re at about 5,000 miles with it so far and I’m 💯 satisfied. I’m often driving with only one hand on the wheel totally in control and comfortable. Sean Woodruff at ProPride says that it makes the truck and trailer one unit. BTW, I did a complete factory tour when I bought my ProPride. I was living about an hour from the factory at the time. Their attention to detail was very impressive. I did film the tour and need to get that video finished some day! 🤣

[@chadkoller7809]

@@airstreamer thank you my friend

[@livingindetroitmetro-shawn9895]

Any issues with ground clearance at campsites with the ProPride?

[@airstreamer]

No, but… I now remove the foot from the jack when we leave and put it back on when we set up. The w/d bars are often in the way of the jacks foot from lowering.

[@jamesstever8335]

Try an open your battery box.

[@airstreamer]

Opens just fine. Here’s the video where we install new batteries about five months after installing the ProPride. Changing the Propane regulator on our AIRSTREAM kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6inY2upjs2Dfpo

[@hiking7521]

Hi! Are you sponsored?

[@airstreamer]

Nope. No affiliate link either. Paid full price for that hitch. We were living about an hour away from the factory, so I did drive there and pick it up. We love it. Big learning curve to hitch up, but I believe the ProPride is worth every penny. I filmed a factory tour when I picked it up. Thanks for watching and asking.

[@hiking7521]

@airstreamer oh great! I have a 2020 max f150 tow and we are pulling a 35' 7,000lbs camper and I feel every little bit

[@airstreamer]

@@hiking7521our Airstream is shorter, but a little heavier. 12 states so far. No issues.

[@DannerPlace]

Boy, that's a complicated hitch. Troubling that hook-up requires very precise truck backing and using a back-up camera, a second person to step on the bars, a wrench to "pull it in", a power drill to adjust the bar tension, and several linch pins (easy to lose) to lock everything in place. Not to mention that the hitch ball is located substantially farther away from the truck's axles, increasing overall length and making the front axle unloading effect more pronounced. What is the benefit over a more simple hitch design, such as the Equal-I-Zer or Reese?

[@airstreamer]

The Hensley hitch (I chose the one made by ProPride) is an engineering marvel. What it does is project the pivot point 55" in front of the ball hitch. This totally eliminates trailer sway and causes a travel trailer to perform like a 5th wheel. The first two or three hitchings were more complicated, but once the skill is learned, it has become faster and easier than a ball hitch. Our Airstream came with a Reese w/d hitch that I removed and replaced with the ProPride. From my perspective, the ProPride was totally worth the money. Driving I-90 across the Minnesota and South Dakota plains, we had 20 MPH crosswinds and half the highway was shut down. We experienced zero sway as semi's blew past us. I often drove one handed with 100% confidence. I could not believe the difference in how our F150 towed the Airstream. Yes, it does extend the distance from the tailgate to the Airstream. For us this is a benefit as we can now drop the tailgate without it hitting the jack. This may not be the best hitch for everyone, but it's perfect for us. Thanks so much for watching and commenting, we really appreciate it.

[@hayezeus]

@@airstreamera hitch can’t make a TT tow like a 5th wheel. They’re 2 entirely different things.

[@airstreamer]

@@hayezeus I was a skeptic, until I drove it. Zero sway. It’s like I wasn’t towing anything.

[@hayezeus]

@@airstreamer You should expect that for a $4k device. All I’m saying is that you would experience the exact same thing with a $900 device. My TT is 37ft and 9500lbs and I’ve towed 20k+ miles through all sorts of weather conditions and elevations and not once for even a second have I felt trailer sway. It only happens when you’re not loaded properly, you have an undersized tow vehicle, or you’re driving 75+ mph. These hitches are a massive waste of money. 99 percent of RVrs DONT have $4k to blow on a hitch and they’re all doing just fine. It’s the morons that experience trailer sway.

[@airstreamer]

You obviously are a more talented driver than I. I am very happy I bit the bullet and bought the Pro Pride. It was recommended to me by a friend who drove tractor trailers for over 30 years. He has one and said he won't tow a travel trailer across the country without one. Thanks for watching and commenting.