Why is towing my little trailer so stressful?
We have a 16' vintage trailer that weighs less than 2500 lbs. We pull it with a 2013 Toyota Prerunner (rear wheel drive) double cab V6. It doesn't have the factory tow package, just an after market hi...
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Like they said, find out the trailer weight and the weight on the hitch. For the latter, you may be able to use a bathroom scale. Make sure 10-15% of the trailer weight is on the hitch. No more, no less.
Tacomas are noted for having relatively soft rear springs, so your sag is no surprise. Getting the truck level and redistributing some hitch weight to the front axle will only happen if you buy a WD hitch. Built-in sway control is just plain prudent. The Equal-i-zer bars are unyielding, though, so my suggestion would be an Andersen No-Sway. I've had both, and I used the latter (but would not use the former) with my Highlander.
Check your tire pressure. Make sure the truck tires are at max sidewall pressure. When buying your next set, you may benefit from getting some lower profile tires; the less sidewall you have, the less the tires can squirm side to side.
You might benefit from simply shortening the stinger on your hitch (the part that slides into the receiver). This in effect reduces the rear overhang distance, cuts down how much leverage the trailer has to move your truck's rear end from side to side. Drill a new hole so it's as short as possible and re-insert.
If you don't do any of this, I hope your trailer has brakes. If it ever starts to fishtail uncontrollably, applying just the trailer brakes while maintaining speed should straighten it out.
Tacomas are noted for having relatively soft rear springs, so your sag is no surprise. Getting the truck level and redistributing some hitch weight to the front axle will only happen if you buy a WD hitch. Built-in sway control is just plain prudent. The Equal-i-zer bars are unyielding, though, so my suggestion would be an Andersen No-Sway. I've had both, and I used the latter (but would not use the former) with my Highlander.
Check your tire pressure. Make sure the truck tires are at max sidewall pressure. When buying your next set, you may benefit from getting some lower profile tires; the less sidewall you have, the less the tires can squirm side to side.
You might benefit from simply shortening the stinger on your hitch (the part that slides into the receiver). This in effect reduces the rear overhang distance, cuts down how much leverage the trailer has to move your truck's rear end from side to side. Drill a new hole so it's as short as possible and re-insert.
If you don't do any of this, I hope your trailer has brakes. If it ever starts to fishtail uncontrollably, applying just the trailer brakes while maintaining speed should straighten it out.
