Weight Distribution and Sway Control

I don't quite understand, i'm sorry but I need to read up on it and do some more research on learning about this stuff(how the receiver is hooked to my truck).

IF I can get one, I was thinking I would feel more comfortable with a WD/sway deal but when I can afford one. For now I have been using the trailer without for short weekend trips one and two hours away and have not had a problem YET (famous last word). Im wondering if I need one for short camping trips - one to three hours out as I am not a high mileage, long cross the state driver as my work doesn't allow for me to take much time off.

This is what I have experienced in my short trips so far: When I first got my trailer a couple months ago the dealer sent me out with a hitch that was to low and the trailer sagged forward and the 4runner sagged back. They also sent me with it full of water and I didn't know. They said they put "a little water in it to make sure everything was working and to show me that it all did work (except the air conditioner but that's another story) when we got to the state park and went to put water in the trailer, it didn't hold anymore. After a sh%$ ton of gas for a two hour trip I was relieved to find that I wasn't always gonna need this much gas to go somewhere. Anyway I later flipped the ball and the trailer sits level with the 4runner with very little back end sag on the Toyota. Then on another trip I caught some high winds coming home and I was getting blown around a bit but it didn't feel like the trailer was swaying so much as it felt like the whole set up was wind surfing. Coulda been because the trailer was swaying though. When semis pass me I can feel that im getting sucked in towards them a little and spit back out at 70mph.

All in all - if I can get a WD/sway thing should I before I go back out there? I had an over the road truck driver tell me, " you shouldn't need all that for such a light small trailer" but I think it has to do with the truck im pulling it with, the trailer weight and the short wheel base of the 4runner??

Phew - that's a lot I know but this seems like an important subject for someone just starting out - thanks in advance

Sounds like the factory hitch is not actually attached to the frame of the vehicle. This being the case, if you use WD, the stress will bend wherever the hitch it actually mounted. It's simply not sturdy enough. Your hitch "really" should be mounted to the frame for strength and support.

Although your camper is not "that" heavy, I think you are pushing your chances with the current hitch. Be wise and go ahead and invest in a frame mounted receiver hitch made for your vehicle. The last thing you want is the hitch to rip off the back of your vehicle and your camper goes 4 wheeling (ok... 2 wheeling) through somebody's front living room.

With your current set-up, do not use weight distribution.

Sounds like the cross member is sheet metal.
Is the frame rails heavy steel or is it a uni-body construction?
I did not find any after market hitches.
You maybe able to find a shop that would make a bracket to go between the frame and attach to the receiver to reduce the twist.

It is but I think it's the way it's mounted? I don't quite follow this but I was reading this:
'The oem weight carrying hitch (for the V6's) is mounted to the rear crossmember, underneath the bumper cover. It is rated for 500 lbs max tongue weight and 5,000 lbs max pull weight. It is NOT designed to be used with a weight distribution system, because the rear crossmember it is mounted on is not designed to handle the rotational torque stress that a weight distribution system will put on it. On the other hand, the frame mounted hitch, like those on most V8's, is designed to be used with a weight distribution system because it is directly mounted to each of the main frame rails. When a weight distribution system is used with it, the rotational torque is applied directly to the frame rails through the hitch. If you need a weight distribution system to control sway or handle a heavier trailer, you MUST have a frame mounted hitch for it to work properly and not damage the rear crossmember.

Interesting. What s different about your hitch? Is it a standard 2 inch square opening?

Also, is my trailer considered a 19ft. trailer (198bh - 19ft and 8ft wide) or is it considered a 21ft. trailer as the specs say 21ft overall length? Im new to RVing and pulling a trailer.