Weight distribution hitch when towing

Hey Guys.
Do any of you use a weight distribution/sway hitch when towing a camper? We are thinking of getting a Geo Pro 22’ and I’m used to towing. My partner is not. Any advice will be welcome.

 

Welcome to the forum

If you click on the "forums" tab at the top left of every page and scroll down you will find a "Towing" section with a lot of information.

As you scroll you will see there are many things to explore on the forum.

As far as a WDH, any advantage you can give yourself on the road is a plus.

Something many folks overlook is the amount of leverage that a trailer has on the tow vehicle, a WDH helps to steady that some. A proper setup of the hitch system is key to its performance.

This leverage is amplified by a high profile travel coach in windy conditions, an equal weight utility trailer will tow much differently than a travel coach.

 

R3 and we are stable as can be.

 

I'm pretty sure a 22' camper is going to make a WD hitch a necessity. I use the Fastway E2 with my 17' single axle. I picked it up from the dealer with a standard hitch, drove to NC from Ohio and bought the WD hitch in NC for the drive back home. I think Toyota says sway control is a "requirement" with any load over 1000lbs anyway, so you may as well kill two birds with one stone.

 

General recommendation is to use a wdh when you're 60% over your tongue capacity. For a Tacoma, that's any tongue weight over 360 pounds.

I'm pretty close to that with my little pop-up.
I've chosen to go against safety and not run one, because I need the articulation when I'm dragging it across fields (where I like to boondock).

If I was pulling a 22 footer? I'd definitely use a WDH with sway control.

 

Look for the Towing Bible thread here on TW. The stability control in the truck will help, but definitely get a WD/anti-sway
Hitch. Also don't forget to take off the weight distribution bars when going over major bumps or off-road and be sure NOT to attach the ebrake cable to your bumper or hitch, the attachment should be on the frame- extend it if needed. Have fun!

 

Thanks Guys! That’s what I thought and I super appreciate TW peeps

 

It's weight, not length. If you're getting close to 5000 lbs you need a WDH. 3500 lbs or less probably not. Between 3500 and 5000 probably not, but if it makes you feel better use one. I use a friction sway bar only with my 4000-4500 lb trailer with no problems at all.

 

I also tow with a Fastway E2 (600lb) WDH. My Satellite 17RB( about 3300lbs) tows much better with it. Since my truck has Wheelers 1.5 AALs it tows fine without the WDH, but better with it. No porpoising.
Yes, my 2019 Owners Manual specifies a anti-sway device for trailers over 2000lbs and a WDH for trailers over 5000lbs.

 

Use them at work all the time (driving diesel pick up trucks) - it’s Mandatory. But then we are towing between 6000 and almost 10,000 pound trailers. Would not pull them without ‘em.
If you’re pulling more than 1000-1500 pounds and towing for a decent amount of miles, I’m thinking it might be a wise investment. Also, may want to consider an e-brake too.

 

Welcome and def. head into the towing forum. A lot of towing expertise and experience over there and many threads on WDHs and members posting what and where they tow so you can start some conversations with people who tow rigs like what you will be towing.

As for WDHs I cannot speak from experience as I have an off-road travel trailer with a max coupler fully articulating hitch. I did a lot of research when I was considering towing something considerably larger and I landed on the Hensley Arrow **if I were to buy something big -- I didn't**. Customer service was responsive and some YouTube channels that I watch and trust use/ swear by the Hensley. Worth looking into as they are both a WDH and anti-sway system. Again, no real-world experience towing with one; I'm just sharing what I would have went with if I bought an Air Stream.

 

This is the setup I use on the job. Not towing with a Tacoma per se, but today was pulling 9600lbs of trailer. Works well.

 

Yes, I'll unhook the bars to back it into the site, but otherwise it would never be able to go down the road without it.
I also added a friction sway bar, highly recommended.

 

@vicali What manufacturer is that set up?

 

Can I pull a trailer without a WDH? Yes, Would I tow without a WDH? No!

 

Basically this;
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/17062
Ours came with the trailer when we bought it used.

In that pic I've got it one chainlink too tight, you can see the bars are not horizontal and I was losing traction on the rear tires.

 

Thanks!

 

Greetings,

Just returned from a 3400+ mile trip to Jasper, Banff, Glacier & Grand Teton. Pulled a 26' trailer with a dry weight of 4400 lbs. Throw in clothing, 3 kids, a dog and another adult for our mass.

Did it using using an Anderson WDH. Worked great. https://andersenhitches.com/product/weight-distribution-hitch/

No need to unhook bars before backing. No grease all over the place. Worked great.

 

I should add that the Anderson hitch weights less than the traditional WDHs out there. That was the deciding factor for me: keeping that tongue weight down.

 

I use a dual sway setup with my 20’ Jayco and it has been a blessing driving freeways, especially with high winds. I recommend it as well as airbags with Daystar cradles. Works great on or offroad