Towing x17Z with a Tundra

[fluvial]

I have a 2011 x17z I've been towing with a Toyota sienna for the past few years. We just purchased a 2015 SR5 Crewmax Tundra and plan to do our first camping trip with it in a week or so. Will I need the weight distribution bars to toll this or will it be over kill? This is all new territory for me.

[oldmanAZ]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new TV.

[DocBrown]

Congratulations and welcome!

In theory, no. But you might. It really depends on how much weight is taken off the front wheels. Ignore the rear end squat. That's normal. Try it without. If the steering feels "squirrely" then you'll need to use the WD hitch. Also, before putting the trailer on, measure the front fender height at the center of the wheel to the bottom lip above the tire. Put the trailer on and measure it again. If it increases by more than 1/2", more than likely it's taking too much weight off the front.

Ford and GM have have a specification for this. With GM the hitch must be adjusted to bring the fender back to stock height. With Ford I believe it's half the distance. Your manual should tell you in your towing section if Toyota has such a specification.

You may want the WD hitch on for no other reason than it's sway control capabilities.

[Subaru297]

Check out the receiver hitch on your truck. There should be a sticker with two ratings on it. One is for weight carrying mode and is likely restricted to 500lbs tongue weight and 5000lbs trailer weight.
The other rating will be for weight distribution mode (using a WDH) it should read 1000/10,000 meaning 1000lbs tongue weight and 10,000lbs trailer weight.
Both of those numbers could be slightly higher based on your tow capacity.

Whether or not you need your WDH will be determined by your tongue weight. Over 500lbs then yes you need it. Under 500lbs it is optional.

Hope that helps.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

Check out the receiver hitch on your truck. There should be a sticker with two ratings on it. One is for weight carrying mode and is likely restricted to 500lbs tongue weight and 5000lbs trailer weight.
The other rating will be for weight distribution mode (using a WDH) it should read 1000/10,000 meaning 1000lbs tongue weight and 10,000lbs trailer weight.
Both of those numbers could be slightly higher based on your tow capacity.

Whether or not you need your WDH will be determined by your tongue weight. Over 500lbs then yes you need it. Under 500lbs it is optional.

Hope that helps.

Good point about hitch limits.

However the sticker on the hitch is for the hitch itself, not the limits of the vehicle. The manual has more accurate information which may or not match the sticker on the hitch. More often than not the actual capacity rating for the TV is less than the hitch itself can handle.

[Jagiven]

I have seen lots of Tundras, Fords, and Dodges pickups towing a 17Z without a WDH. So it can be done. I would recommend at least looking at sway control. If you have a WDH for your old Sienna, I would try to reset it and us it for the truck.

[Dagwood]

My Neighbor has a 2013 Tundra and pulls a 17ft no problem without WDH.
He tells me it tows great and barely notices it when driving.

I have a 21Ft X20E I pull with my Tacoma but do use a Equalizer 10K WDH

I think you will be fine, just stick to the speed limits.

[fluvial]

Fantastic information. Thanks everyone for your replies. I have more than enough info to make a solid decision.