Can I tow this trailer one time without WDH / sway control?

Well, now posting in the correct section, I did not even know we had a dedicated towing section. Anyway, any input / opinion is appreciated.

Would you tow this trailer one time only, about 120 miles one way, without a weight distributing hitch / sway control?
We plan on buying that trailer, but I probably can't get the WDH before next (4th of July) weekend, and the campground is booked.
Basic specs:
- dry weight = 3,630 lbs
- tongue weight = approx 460 lbs (dry = 440 lbs))
- we would probably have about another 500lbs worth of "stuff" in the trailer, and some in the bed. So total trailer weight is probably just over 4,100 lbs or so.

Towing would be all flat terrain, down I-5. Would you do it? On the RV forum people said mostly not, but in the Tacoma section here everybody said yes. And here we have the Taco towing specialists. Has anybody here towed something similar without a WDH?

 

I wouldn't. My current TT is about the same weights as you describe. You will find your headlights in the air without the proper hitch. The first big rig that passes you will make you wish for the sway control.

The only time I don't use the distributing bars and sway is when I'm moving it around my driveway. If you are hitting public roads you need to be set up correctly. Way too much liability if something happens. I'm sure you could get your hands on a hitch locally or online before your trip.

 

This pretty much sums it up. I wouldn't do it either, you should have proper equipment for towing. A 5 minute trip is one thing, but 120 miles is a pretty good distance.

 

I'm gonna have to join the chorus here....NO, I wouldn't do it.

I tow my ATV trailer loaded with two machines (about 2,000 lbs total weight), without sway bars or load distribution, with no problems. On occasion I've added one additional ATV (adding 600 lbs for about 2600 lbs total) ... and had to mind my Ps & Qs...felt that was the max weight I'd want to tow without outfitting my rig with weight distribution and sway bars. And that trailer is reasonably low profile. Your talking about approximately 1,600 lbs more and a high profile camper much more susceptible to wind...wouldn't take much to put you in a hairy situation.

Bottom line...Operational Risk Management comes out RED on this one...DON'T DO IT!!!

That's my two cents FWIW...

 

Thanks guys!
Actually, the headlights in the air would not be a problem, as I have both the TSB done and Timbrens installed. I am currently towing a ~ 2,300 or so popup with a 370 lbs tongue weight - and the Tacoma is straight. There would not be much more on the tongue. Those Timbrens work very well. So it is not the weight distribution but more the sway that has me a little worried.
I will need to think about this a little more. The problem I am having is that the equal-i-zer 4pt hitch is ordered, but won't arrive before the weekend. Darn!

EDIT: never mind! the hitch is out for delivery (ordered it yesterday). RVW did an exceptional job. Wow. Got the Equal-i-zer 4pt 600/6,000# for $428 delivered!

 

You're correct, the headlights aiming at the treetops isn't the issue, it's the weight distribution and the swap. That much weight hanging off the bumper will unweight the front end a lot making for an unpleasant trip. And the sway is pretty self explanatory. The Tacoma is not an overly heavy tow vehicle so not having those aids would make for a miserable and potentially unsafe trip. The weight isn't the only factor, it's the overall trailer size. I've towed Uhauls that weigh upwards of 4,000 lbs but they're low and short and tend not to sway when loaded properly, not tall and long like the travel trailers. Good luck with the new trailer!

 

Proverbial rock and a hard place....You could probably make the trip if you really have to get it done...but plan a low traffic period ...late night or very early morning...and keep your speed way down...like around 45 or 50 mph. Just my thoughts...Good Luck to you.

EDIT: And check the weather forecast for winds along your route.

 

Hey, thanks guys!
Did you see my update in the post above:
EDIT: never mind! the hitch is out for delivery (ordered it yesterday). RVW did an exceptional job. Wow. Got the Equal-i-zer 4pt 600/6,000# for $428 delivered!
Now all I have to do is find a 400 ft-lbs torque wrench and some time between now & Friday! Probably Thursday evening.

 

You're good to go!

 

First thing 1st post.
thanks for you concern of safety out on the roads,i drive for a living and am thankful to see people that don't want to die or kill others.Always think saftey

 

Welcome to TW, Tiedie!

 

Have fun with the new camper! you seem very prepared for this, which paired with the correct driving ability is more than enough to make a safe trip with this trailer.

I'm on a 2.5-3 inch lift, no sway bar, but do have the rear timbrens. i tow a 22ft boat just about every weekend over the summer without any issues. overall lencth on the trailer is about 26ft, and it sits pretty tall. tongue weight is just a tad over 400 lbs. with a full tank of gas and loaded with gear it's right around the 6000lb mark, maybe over. the truck handles it great, and the trailer brakes stop it on a dime.

Edit: forgot to answer the other part of your question. this is without a weight distributing hitch.

 

Are you over on your tongue weight? Are you over on your max trailer weight? Are you over on your rear axle weight? Are you over on your gross combined weight? If you answer yes to any of these questions, don't tow. If you are unsure, hit the scales.

 

honestly i would have done it..

 

But are you not comparing apples to oranges by comparing your 4 cyl towing experience to his V6 w/Tow package?

Dudes got all the goodies now anyways, but I was surprised all the people saying no given he was well within the rated capacities of his vehicle.

 

tongue rated: 650. Trailer tongue weight: 440
max trailer rated: 6,500. Trailer dry: 3,615. Loaded? Maybe 4,100; I don;t take water.
GCWR: 11,100. My estimate (very educated estimate): 9,800 lbs

I think I would have been over on nothing. Maybe, possibly a hundred pounds or so on the rear axle.
I did weigh our popup a few weeks ago before going camping with all gear & stuff loaded up. We were at 7,900 lbs GCWR or so. The new trailer (empty) is about 1,800 lbs heavier than the popup, so we will have a >1,000 lbs margin in terms of GCWR. The rear axle is a little bit of a weak data point here, and the WDH will hopefully take care of that. But I am very sure even the rear axle can take a few pounds over rating for a few highway miles without serious damage.
No, I was not much concerned about weight, but more about sway.

 

Just cause you're under what the little sticker says you can haul doesn't mean it's a good idea. I've towed Uhaul trailers that weighed as much as that travel trailer but it's not the capacity, it's the vehicle's ability to control the trailer. The Uhaul is low and short, the travel trailer is long and tall and has a much worse tendancy to start swaying. There's a lot more to towing than just the weight of the trailer.

 

I agree with that. There is a huge difference between say a dump trailer full of sand and a travel trailer, even at the same weight.
I do get the hitch today, so it all does not matter that much anymore, but I think it would most likely have been ok being very very careful. I have many years of experience towing, and would have been very cautious. But hey: it's all good now.
There is the short trip (25-30 miles maybe) from the dealer home. That one will be done without the hitch, but both trailer & truck are empty. I'll take it easy, it will be ok, I am sure. The dealer wants big bucks for the WDH install, something I feel I can do better myself.

 

More like comparing a Red Delicious to a Gold delicious....

I was simply relating my personal experience to the situation in question...the additional horsepower, hitch strength, and trans cooler doesn't change the ratio of trailer profile and weight compared to the size of the tow vehicle...and in my later post I agreed it could be done with extreme caution...

What he said...Thanks Pugga!