WD hitch needed for short TT and short wheelbase vehicle?

Thanks for all the input!

Before our current trailer, we had a 2012 Jayco SLX 184BH - similar to what you're looking at it sounds like. Around 2750 dry, 3,500 gross. You don't get much cargo weight with these,but they're good little trailers. Towed with a Silverado 1500. I bought an Equal-I-zer with it and loved it. Didn't use much of the W/D, but a little was good and it was great for keeping the trailer "as one" with the truck. No sway - ever. I also frequently pulled the trailer 50 miles each way for our short trips without the equalizer - just a regular 2" drop bar. Did fine on those too. However, any time I went on the interstate, I used the equalizer - too many passing semi trucks and those little campers still catch a lot of wind. We pulled it from South Georgia to Maine and had a blast along the way. It was breeze to tow with the Equalizer and I never had to worry.

Bottom line: You may not "need" it, but I say get one - it's cheap insurance.

Trial-and-error isn't the solution. (I'd wager it's a bad solution.... You'll only learn that it's inadequate the hard way) Know what the tow vehicle is rated for, make an educated guess of the weights on the trailer, and crack the spine of the owner's manual and see what the OEM recommends.

If I end up with a trailer of some sort, I guess the best test will be to try it on a couple of local trips and see how it does on each of the two tow vehicles. If it feels squirrelly, I can add a WD hitch. If not, then I'm good.

marquette, I've mostly looked at the little Jayco SLX models.

Let the numbers make the determination as to whether or not you need a WDH. The OEM for your vehicle has already done a whole lot more calculations than any of us here have. If the trailer's tongue weight falls into the range for a WDH per the TV's OEM, then get one.

I have gone against the grain of the forums before. We had a Coleman popup that tipped the scales at just shy of 3700lbs. (3300 on the axle, a little less than 400 on the tongue). My F150 ratings do not call for a WDH unless the tongue weight is more than 500lbs. I never had an issue. We did have one instance of uncomfortable sway (on the freeway, heavy cross-winds, semi passing us to windward side) but a touch of the trailer brakes brought everything right back in line. (Added another 1/2 turn on the friction sway control and never had another issue like that again)

CSG
You are asking the exact same question I have been wondering about. My wife and I are currently looking for a 15-20 ft TT or a 17-20 ft 5th wheel going with the plan of once we find the camper we will buy the tow vehicle. I've towed trailers in the 25-3000 lb range with out a WDH but with a 1/2 ton van. Towed OK except for lack of power. The cost of a WDH vs fiver hitch is a wash but no need to buy something if it is not needed. If it is a matter of leveling the vehicle and not needing to take weight off the rear axle will air bags serve that purpose as well. more versatile being able to level a load at any time not just transfer tongue weight.
What trailers are you finding that are under 3000 lb? Most we have looked at are 27-3000 dry weight so I have bee figuring about 35-4000 lb down the road weight. At 4000 lb I figured we for sure would need a WDH.

That's kind of what I wondered. I do have some experience towing but almost all with the 5th wheel and big truck I own. I would expect bounce to be a bigger issue with the little TT's I'm looking at. All are single axle and under 3k#/300#. The LC is about twice the weight of the trailers I'm looking at and is full time 4x4.

I guess what I wonder is where is the line where a WD hitch is called for?

I have towed more than 100,000 miles (work and play) with my '08 Highlander. Wheelbase is about 107" IIRC. 5000/500 tow limit. My cargo trailer was 17' long and about 3800 lb loaded, 410 on the hitch. The TT (until this past summer) was 16' long, 2700 lb loaded with 350 to 390 on the hitch, depending. It handled fine at 60 and 65 mph highway driving. Never any sway, and no scary moments. I did finally get an Andersen No-Sway hitch for the last year just because my wife complained about the jiggling caused by the trailer tongue, and the Andersen smoothed out about 80% of the motions. But I never felt like I needed it for safety.

I can't imagine you needing WD with your Lexus as long as you load the TT properly (10-15% of weight on hitch) and avoid driving 75 mph.

APT, now that you mention it, it does. The tow rating for the Land Cruiser is 6000# and 600# without a WD hitch instead of 6500# and 650# with a WD hitch.

To anyone who didn't seem to read my post, the Land Cruiser is a heavy duty 4x4 truck, not a car. It has an AHC system which works with towing. The first responder is talking about a lot heavier tow/hitch weight than I mentioned.

I think what might make sense rather than buying 10 50# bags of sand (seriously?) would be going to U-Haul and rent something on the larger end for a day and see what's what. My thinking, honestly, was that the super short wheelbase of the Land Cruiser would be the possible issue.

Appreciate the input.

WD and sway on all but the smallest of trailers.