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09-11-2017, 05:34 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oliver Springs
Posts: 9
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Weight distribution hitch or not?
My tow vehicle is a Toyota Tacoma, 6500 lb tow capacity, and my travel trailer is a 19BH, 3000 lb dry weight.
Before purchasing the trailer I had purchased a weight distribution hitch. When we getting the trailer from the dealer they couldn't install the distribution hitch because it had a bigger ball and they didn't have a 2" ball with a long enough shank. They claimed that using only a sway bar would be "all that we'd need".
I have been towing using only a sway bar without any issues. Would it tow better/easier with the weight distribution hitch? Should I buy a ball that will work and try the weight distribution and install it or forget about it and continue using only a sway bar?
Thanks in advance for feedback.
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09-11-2017, 06:24 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Villas NJ
Posts: 159
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For the price of a ball I'd give it a try.
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2020 Pinnacle 36FBTS 
2016 Chevy 3500HD Duramax
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09-11-2017, 06:36 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Near New Haven
Posts: 4
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I will agree and say try the different ball size. The difference in towing our TT with a weight distribution is very noticeable and besides our being a 6 cylinder without maxing out the weight, it "drives like a Cadillac" as they said it would.
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09-11-2017, 07:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Surprise
Posts: 2,623
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Tow capacity means little, its the cargo capacity that matters. The WD hitch will put more weight on your front axle helping to eliminate front end feeling light and making better steering.
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2011 Toyota Tundra double cab
2015 27RLS
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09-11-2017, 08:13 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wags999
Tow capacity means little, its the cargo capacity that matters. The WD hitch will put more weight on your front axle helping to eliminate front end feeling light and making better steering.
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CH,
Not only will you probably gain a little better handling in regards to the front end, you could possibly be exceeding your trucks factory receiver hitch tw rating without the use of of a wdh.
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09-11-2017, 08:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Mapleton
Posts: 4,378
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I have a Jeep with 6800 pounds tow capacity but like the weight distribution to the front axel feel like a much more secure driving experience. Before I dialed it in the front end had a floaty feel.
I also like the anti sway capacity of my Andersen hitch, plus it is easy on and off and doesn't weight a lot to add to the hitch.
__________________
2017 SLX 195RB
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit L 5.7L V8
Andersen WDH hitch, Renogy 100 AH Lithium &
200 Watts solar panels from Renogy
Prev. '14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, gas 3.6 V6
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09-12-2017, 03:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Middle, TN
Posts: 1,098
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You're probably looking at around 3,800 lbs loaded and a TW pushing 500 lbs?
With a Tacoma if it were me I would definitely want a WD hitch.
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09-12-2017, 05:30 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: broad brook
Posts: 40
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WD hitch all the way!
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09-12-2017, 05:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Newburgh
Posts: 6,307
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Another vote here for. WDH. I won't tow my trailer without one...
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2022 33RBTS
Progressive Industries EMS - Hardwired
Equalizer 4 Point WDH
2021 Ford F350 7.3
Air Lift Rear Bags w/ On Board Compressor (Pending)
2016 28BHBE - (Traded and Missed already)
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09-12-2017, 06:23 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 332
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If you want to get an idea of the effect the trailer has on your truck measure the height of each wheel well and then hook up the trailer. When you remeasure I'll bet you get a significant drop at the back end but more importantly a raise in the front. The raise represents a lightening of the front end and that is not good. A WD hitch, properly setup, should get that front end very close to the original height.
Sadly many dealers will tell you anything to make a sale and get you out the door.
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2013 Jay Flight 26 RLS
2014 Ford F250 Super Duty
Reese HP Dual Cam
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09-12-2017, 11:51 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Milpitas
Posts: 1,628
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You are talking safety. Are you the only driver? Does anyone else drive who may not have the experience pulling a TT that you do. I never tow without a WD as it adds safety and stability especially for those few but very important times when you might meet high wind, heavy rain, or find yourself in situations with larger trucks that could affect stability.
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2019 Chevy express 2500 Van Coversion. 2017 Jayco 23MRB: 26' total and Glacier Package. 2 Renogy solar panels. Married 49 years. Haley the mutt, 4 years old. "Excited to learn new things everyday and humbled by those who offer to help." And very grateful to our Moderators!
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09-13-2017, 08:56 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Frederick
Posts: 261
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IMHO pickup trucks are made to take the load in rear axle, without weight in the bed, front ride lower than the back. If you add 600# load on the rear axle and front axle is not affected then all is good. WDH is designed to to distribute tongue weight to front axle and TT axles. WDH is not needed if your truck can handle 600# TW without affecting front axle.
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Sombat family
2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited
2017 Jay Flight 28BHBE
mod: Dimming awning
Dimming Floor light
Shocks
Custom bike/kayak rack
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09-13-2017, 09:48 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Middle, TN
Posts: 1,098
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2017 Tacoma -
Tongue load (lb.) (standard/with V6 Tow Package) - 350/640
Towing capacity (lb.) (standard/with V6 Tow Package) - 3500/6400
So if you have the V6 tow package the max TW is 640 lbs.
I'd say once loaded you will be fairly close to max capacity, if it were mine I'd use a WD hitch, especially when you factor in that Toyota's rear leaf springs have always been relatively soft for ride quality.
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09-13-2017, 05:00 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oliver Springs
Posts: 9
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It looks like everyone is recommending to install the weight distribution hitch. I'll have to get a ball that will work and try it.
The back of the truck really doesn't squat that much. This could be due to the leaf springs being replaced by Toyota through a recall.
The only time that the front end feels light is when a tractor trailer disturbs the air.
This is my first time pulling a travel trailer and appreciate everyone's feedback.
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09-13-2017, 08:18 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kewadin, MI
Posts: 193
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Dont be this guy
Get a WD hitch.
The only place I will tow our trailer without one is from its storage area to our driveway (which is a block away).
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2016 Jayflight 28BHBE Elite
2016 RAM 2500 Laramie Power Wagon (4x4, 6.4 Hemi, 4.10 gears).
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09-13-2017, 09:58 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Frederick
Posts: 261
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Quote:
Originally Posted by olyelr
Dont be this guy
Get a WD hitch.
The only place I will tow our trailer without one is from its storage area to our driveway (which is a block away). |
I think you are mistaken sway control with WDH.
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__________________
Sombat family
2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited
2017 Jay Flight 28BHBE
mod: Dimming awning
Dimming Floor light
Shocks
Custom bike/kayak rack
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09-13-2017, 10:15 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oliver Springs
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOMBATFAMILY
I think you are mistaken sway control with WDH.
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I have been using a sway control but not weight distribution.
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09-14-2017, 05:03 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Tucson
Posts: 661
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Why you would not use both is beyond me.
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09-14-2017, 06:32 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Millington
Posts: 368
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I would say the OP would want to use it.
I know I'm in the minority but when I had a 6000# TT I pulled with my 9000# F350 I never used either and never needed it, just as I don't with all the flatbed, dump, enclosed and hydroseeder trailers I pull every day, Weights from 5000-18000. Tongue weight is a good thing. Behind a Tacoma some weight returned to the front end is needed, but I don't need to add any more to the already pig heavy front end of my super duty.
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Rob, Sarah, Ella, Ava
2017 Eagle HT 29.5BHDS -- 2011 F350 CCSB 4x4 PSD
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09-14-2017, 01:38 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kewadin, MI
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOMBATFAMILY
I think you are mistaken sway control with WDH.
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Well... kinda... but not really.
Some WD hitches have sway control built into them. Although I suppose that video was more of an issue with lack of sway control rather than WD. But IMO, I feel both are necessary for travel trailers.
That guy in the video probably swore up and down for the last year that his setup works great... well, until that ONE particular incident.
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2016 Jayflight 28BHBE Elite
2016 RAM 2500 Laramie Power Wagon (4x4, 6.4 Hemi, 4.10 gears).
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