Light Trailer Towing

[rfporzio]

Hi All, I will be taking delivery on my new Jayco 145RB with my 2012 Tacoma. Does anyone tow a light weight trailer without weight distribution and sway control. I do have air bags. tongue weight is 250lbs. with 3000 full load weight.
My plan is to test tow then add if needed.

[ScottG]

I doubt you need any of that either.
Give it a shot and see how it does. If you find the trailer is pushing you around in your lane, get the H/W.

[handye9]

You probably don't need WD hitch.

Check the weight ratings on your hitch receiver. It should have numbers for with and without WD. You'll probably see something like 500 lbs without WD and 5000 lbs with WD. Your trailer would be within the rating without WD.

As mentioned above, many folks are pulling heavier boats and utility trailers without WD.

[DutchmenSport]

I have a utility trailer that has a capacity of 3000 pounds. I've never used WD on that small trailer. In Indiana, if the total weight of the trailer is under 3000 pounds, you don't need trailer brakes either.

Now, my 11,000 pound travel trailer loaded ... well .... that's a different matter altogether!

[gmw_photos]

If you do decide to use a WD hitch, consider a Blueox swaypro. They sell bars as light as 350 pounds.

The trailer will likely tow fine without a WD but with one, it would probably be a smoother ride in the truck.

EDIT: further thought on this. I've towed both my funfinder travel trailer and my horse trailer with this Nissan Frontier. Both on the ball, and using the blueox swaypro WD hitch.

Nissan specs that under 4500 pounds it s acceptable to tow simply on the ball. Over 4500 requires WD. This FF is 4100 loaded. The horse trailer is 3900 empty.

However, using WD does exactly as the name implies. It "distributes" some of the weight from the tongue to the steer axle and back to the trailer axles.

The result is a more balanced combo rig, resulting in better handling and a more controlled and smoother ride.

To the OP, I'd say it's your choice to tow it either way, and be within the guidelines, but you would likely find using WD to be an advantage.

[jfkmk]

We pulled our 17' Starcraft with our SUV the first year without a WDH and it was ok, but bounced a bit. The next year I opted for a WDH and it was perfect. I would try it without, see how you like it, and add one later if you're not happy.

[Fireballsocal]

My 17' Casita weighed more than that and my 4.0L Tacoma handled it perfectly. It's hard to say till you get the trailer but I think you'll be fine.

[SoundGuy]

rfporzio wrote:
Hi All, I will be taking delivery on my new Jayco 145RB with my 2012 Tacoma. Does anyone tow a light weight trailer without weight distribution and sway control. I do have air bags. tongue weight is 250lbs. with 3000 full load weight.
My plan is to test tow then add if needed.

With a factory dry weight of 2410 lbs and GVWR of 2995 lbs for a 2018 Jayco JayFlight 145RB it's hard to believe you won't be using all of this trailer's CCC, meaning your biggest challenge will be ensuring it's GVW loaded & ready to camp doesn't exceed it's GVWR. At an average 13% that means it's gross tongue weight should average ~ 390 lbs. Your Tacoma may be rated to handle that much but with some additional cargo weight also likely in the back of the truck I personally would use weight distribution such as the 6,000 / 600 lb Equal-i-zer. Air bags can make the truck look pretty but don't do a thing to transfer weight from the rear of the vehicle to it's front steer axle - a properly sized and adjusted WD system will.

[trailer_newbe]

My landscaping trailer is heavier. Your good, as is.

[MFL]

Many people pull small lighter trailers without using a WDH. You are right to give it a try, see how it works with your truck. Each truck/trailer can have varying results. If you actually have just 250 lbs tongue wt, with a 3K loaded trailer wt, that is not enough. A 10 percent tongue wt should be minimum, and 12-13 percent would be better, to contol any sway issues.

Jerry

[Ivylog]

You should know by now that the WD and sway police will say you must have both, even if it was a F250...OK, maybe not with a F350.:S
Try it as I doubt you need WD and way is caused by not enough tongue weight.