Trailer sway has challenged RV owners for decades.
The industry has responded with countless products promising to reduce, control, or minimize sway. Most of these systems rely on one common idea:
Add resistance after the trailer begins to move.
While this approach can reduce sway in some situations, it doesn't address the underlying cause of the problem.
The ProPride 3P® takes a fundamentally different approach.
Instead of attempting to fight trailer movement with friction or mechanical resistance, it changes the geometry of the towing system itself through patented Pivot Point Projection™ (3P) technology.
Understanding why this matters begins with one simple truth:
Trailer sway is governed by physics—not opinions.
Why Trailer Sway Happens
Every bumper-pull travel trailer pivots at the hitch ball.
That pivot point allows the trailer to follow the tow vehicle through turns.
It also creates a lever.
Whenever lateral forces act on the trailer, they generate rotational forces around that pivot.
Those forces may come from:
- Crosswinds
- Passing semi-trucks
- Uneven pavement
- Sudden steering inputs
- Tire failures
- Emergency lane changes
- Road crown changes
The larger the lateral force, the greater the rotational force attempting to swing the trailer.
This is the beginning of trailer sway.
The Hitch Ball Is the Center of the Problem
Conventional hitch systems all share one characteristic:
The trailer rotates around the hitch ball.
That rotation allows outside forces to leverage the rear of the tow vehicle.
Once the trailer begins rotating, the driver often responds with steering corrections, while traditional sway-control systems attempt to dampen the motion.
The key point is this:
The pivot point has not changed.
The hitch is simply reacting to movement that has already started.
Traditional Sway Control: Fighting the Symptoms
Most conventional anti-sway systems use one of two methods.
Friction-Based Sway Control
Friction hitches create resistance between moving components.
When the trailer begins to pivot, friction resists that motion.
This approach can reduce sway under many conditions, but it still allows the trailer to rotate around the hitch ball before resistance is applied.
Friction can also vary depending on factors such as:
- Rain
- Dust
- Road contamination
- Wear over time
- Adjustment settings
The system is designed to dampen movement—not eliminate the geometry that allows it.
Passive Capture Systems
Some sway-control hitches use spring bars and chain geometry to restrict movement after sway begins.
These systems attempt to limit trailer rotation by increasing resistance through the weight distribution components.
Although the mechanism differs from friction-based designs, the trailer still pivots at the hitch ball.
The underlying geometry remains unchanged.
Engineering Begins by Asking a Different Question
Most hitch manufacturers ask:
"How do we reduce sway?"
Jim Hensley asked something different.
"Why is the trailer allowed to pivot there in the first place?"
That question changed the future of trailer towing.
Instead of improving friction, he redesigned the geometry of the towing connection.
What Is Pivot Point Projection™?
Pivot Point Projection™ is the patented engineering concept at the heart of the ProPride 3P®.
Rather than allowing the trailer's effective pivot point to remain at the hitch ball, the hitch's converging-link design projects the effective pivot point forward toward the rear axle of the tow vehicle when lateral forces act on the trailer.
At the same time, a patented one-piece yoke prevents conventional side-to-side pivoting at the hitch ball.
This creates a towing system that behaves very differently from a conventional bumper-pull hitch while still allowing normal steering and maneuvering.
Why Geometry Changes Everything
Geometry determines how forces move through a mechanical system.
Changing geometry changes the path those forces follow.
Instead of relying primarily on friction to oppose trailer movement after it begins, Pivot Point Projection™ changes how lateral forces are transferred between the trailer and tow vehicle.
This is why the ProPride 3P® represents a different engineering philosophy—not simply a stronger version of an existing design.
Friction vs. Geometry
The difference becomes easier to understand with a simple analogy.
Imagine pushing a shopping cart with a loose front wheel.
One solution is to grip the wheel tightly every time it starts wobbling.
Another is to redesign the wheel so it naturally tracks straight.
Both approaches influence movement.
Only one changes the underlying mechanics.
That is the distinction between friction-based sway control and geometry-based trailer stability.
Why the ProPride 3P® Doesn't Depend on Friction
Many traditional sway-control systems depend on resistance generated between moving parts.
As conditions change, so can the effectiveness of that resistance.
For example:
- Water can reduce friction.
- Dust can change surface interaction.
- Component wear can affect performance.
- Adjustment settings influence resistance.
The ProPride 3P® does not rely primarily on friction to achieve its sway-elimination approach.
Instead, its patented converging-link design and one-piece yoke address the trailer's effective pivot geometry.
Weight Distribution and Pivot Point Projection™ Work Together
Weight distribution remains an essential part of safe towing.
The ProPride 3P® includes heavy-duty weight distribution jacks that allow precise adjustment of hitch load transfer.
Importantly, the weight distribution system and the Pivot Point Projection™ mechanism serve different purposes:
Weight Distribution
- Transfers load between axles
- Improves steering response
- Helps maintain proper vehicle attitude
Pivot Point Projection™
- Changes effective towing geometry
- Addresses how lateral forces move through the hitch
- Prevents conventional side-to-side pivoting at the hitch ball
Together, they create a towing system engineered for both balanced loading and enhanced stability.
Why This Matters on the Highway
Highway driving exposes trailers to constantly changing forces.
These include:
- Crosswinds
- Pressure waves from passing semi-trucks
- Road irregularities
- Expansion joints
- Emergency maneuvers
- Uneven pavement
As speed increases, aerodynamic forces become more significant.
The hitch becomes the critical connection managing those forces.
This is where geometry can make a meaningful difference in how the tow vehicle and trailer interact.
Engineering Evolution: From the Eliminator to the ProPride 3P®
The science behind Pivot Point Projection™ traces back to inventor Jim Hensley, who spent decades searching for a better solution to trailer sway after personally experiencing the limitations of conventional towing.
His work evolved through three major generations:
- Eliminator Towing System – The original converging-link concept.
- Hensley Arrow® – Commercialized under license and introduced to the RV market.
- ProPride 3P® – Developed by Jim Hensley and Sean Woodruff with numerous engineering improvements based on years of real-world customer feedback.
The ProPride 3P® introduced innovations including:
- Adjustable hitch bar
- One-piece yoke
- Thicker control links
- Improved hitch box design
- Bolt-in spring bars
- No frame drilling
- Improved weight distribution geometry
- Enhanced corrosion protection
- Patented V2 jack assemblies
The result is the most advanced implementation of Jim Hensley's original vision.
Why Responsible Towing Begins With Physics
At ProPride, towing stability is viewed differently.
Responsible towing is not built around:
- Hoping sway never occurs
- Reacting after movement begins
- Relying on driver skill alone
Instead, responsible towing starts with understanding the physics of trailer motion.
Once the forces are understood, the logical goal becomes preventing instability through engineering rather than managing it after the fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pivot Point Projection™?
Pivot Point Projection™ is ProPride's patented technology that projects the trailer's effective pivot point toward the rear axle of the tow vehicle through a converging-link design while preventing conventional side-to-side pivoting at the hitch ball.
How is Pivot Point Projection™ different from friction sway control?
Friction systems resist trailer movement after it begins. Pivot Point Projection™ changes the effective geometry of the towing system rather than relying primarily on friction.
Does the ProPride 3P® still provide weight distribution?
Yes. The hitch combines heavy-duty weight distribution with its patented Pivot Point Projection™ technology.
Why is geometry important in towing?
Geometry determines how forces travel through a mechanical system. Changing the geometry changes how the tow vehicle and trailer interact under lateral loads.
Does Pivot Point Projection™ increase my truck's tow rating?
No. It does not change manufacturer towing or payload ratings. Your towing combination must always remain within all specified limits.
Who invented the Pivot Point Projection™ concept?
The underlying converging-link concept was pioneered by inventor Jim Hensley and refined over decades, culminating in the ProPride 3P® developed by Jim Hensley and Sean Woodruff.
Final Thoughts
For decades, the towing industry approached trailer sway as something to control.
Jim Hensley approached it as a physics problem.
That difference changed everything.
Rather than asking how to resist trailer movement after it begins, he asked how to redesign the towing system so the underlying geometry worked differently from the start.
The ProPride 3P® is the result of that engineering philosophy.
Its patented Pivot Point Projection™ technology doesn't simply add more friction or stronger springs. It changes the effective relationship between the tow vehicle and trailer through geometry, while integrating heavy-duty weight distribution, premium American-made construction, and a Lifetime Warranty.
Understanding the science behind Pivot Point Projection™ reveals an important truth:
When it comes to trailer sway, the most effective solution isn't necessarily creating more resistance.
It's designing the system so the physics work in your favor.