On a one time basis, I will be towing a 32' travel trailer. The trailer is totally empty and dry and weighs about 4,500 lbs. There will be about 200 lbs of cargo put inside near the front, so toungue weight should be around 600 lbs. The truck is a 1/2 ton with a 8,600 lb tow rating. I have towed 4,000 lb trailers and cars with no problems at all even through the mountains. 400 lbs of cargo with a 300 lb toungue weight trailer made the truck sit level since unloaded it has a slight rake. Since it is a one time tow, I don't want to invest in sway bars and such and I am planning on driving about 55-60 mph max. I know there are no absolutes, but opinions would be appreciated.RK

Can you borrow/rent a WD hitch?

If your hitch receiver is rated for the weight you're putting on it without a WDH, and you have a brake controller, I don't see why not.

Guess maybe more info is needed like weather conditions, mountains or flat, road conditions such as snow, etc. If you're thinking in the Midwest or northeast in the next week, my suggestion would be not to even think about it with the weather and road conditions. Actually, wouldn't even think of towing anything right now under those conditions. If you're thinking drier roads, no strong winds, flatlands with no curvy roads, I'd ask if it's possible to borrow/rent a WDH. IMHO, all it takes is that one time. Good luck. Better safe than sorry.

rjkfsm wrote:On a one time basis, I will be towing a 32' travel trailer. The trailer is totally empty and dry and weighs about 4,500 lbs. There will be about 200 lbs of cargo put inside near the front, so toungue weight should be around 600 lbs.If those weights are actual then 600 / 4500 is just over 13% which is good. If not towing too far and if you keep the speed to 50-55, avoid windy conditions, and slow down when 18 wheelers pass then you should be okay. Of course the truck has to maintain a level altitude, and the hitch and axles should be within rated capacity.

The secret to no sway is plenty of tongue weight. You have plenty so do not worry about it swaying. When in doubt I give it test by wiggling it at 45 MPH and see if it gets worse. If it does get on the manual trailer brake and gas it until it stops and then slow down with the trailer brakes. Shift something further forward.

Will it sway? | Good Sam Community

wmoses
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
rjkfsm wrote:
On a one time basis, I will be towing a 32' travel trailer. The trailer is totally empty and dry and weighs about 4,500 lbs. There will be about 200 lbs of cargo put inside near the front, so toungue weight should be around 600 lbs.

If those weights are actual then 600 / 4500 is just over 13% which is good. If not towing too far and if you keep the speed to 50-55, avoid windy conditions, and slow down when 18 wheelers pass then you should be okay. Of course the truck has to maintain a level altitude, and the hitch and axles should be within rated capacity.
dadmomh
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
Guess maybe more info is needed like weather conditions, mountains or flat, road conditions such as snow, etc. If you're thinking in the Midwest or northeast in the next week, my suggestion would be not to even think about it with the weather and road conditions. Actually, wouldn't even think of towing anything right now under those conditions. If you're thinking drier roads, no strong winds, flatlands with no curvy roads, I'd ask if it's possible to borrow/rent a WDH. IMHO, all it takes is that one time. Good luck. Better safe than sorry.
krobbe
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
If your hitch receiver is rated for the weight you're putting on it without a WDH, and you have a brake controller, I don't see why not.
bguy
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
Can you borrow/rent a WD hitch?

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Will it sway?

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