Weight Distribution and Sway Control

[edekgb]

Do I need WD/Sway control for a new 19ft. 2800lb. single axel travel trailer with a 350 pound tongue weight? Im pulling with a 2014 Toyota 4runner with a 4700 pound capacity and a 500 pound tongue weight capacity? I have read somewhere that I can't use a W/D system on my 4runner, somehow because the way the receiver is mounted??

[edekgb]

Yes ivylog - that's what mine looks like, I think - The part that I hook my safety chains up to looks just like mine. Is this bad? Is this set up not good and safe?

[edekgb]

beemerphile1 this is what amerilite's website says (198bh):
http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/amerilite/specs.php
2790 Dry weight
350 tongue weight
900 Net Carrying Capacity

im thinking 2790+900=3690*.125=461pound tongue weight?
Is this right or am I not understanding?

[Ivylog]

Even before reading NO WDH IMHO you do not need either. After searching Ebay for a better hitch... there are none and I see why you cannot use one on the back. There are reinforcing plates for the hitch but at less than 3000 lbs I would probably pass on installing.

A single axle trailer is sensitive to how you load it so do not put heavy things in the back only.

[edekgb]

I do understand what your saying Dutchmen Sport and that would be very bad if my hitch was mounted to bumper and not the frame!! I didn't understand what enblethen means and this is what I have to research more unless anybody out there is familiar with newer 4runners. I won't be going out anymore this year over an hour away but I want to start saving up for one for next spring if I can put one on my set up - or would this be overkill.

[beemerphile1]

edekgb wrote:
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.

What do you mean "considered". When it comes to reserving a camp site, you will have a hard time fitting 21' of trailer into a 19' site.

[beemerphile1]

If the empty weight is 350 the loaded weight will possibly be over 500.

What is the GVWR of the trailer? The tongue weight of the loaded trailer will be 12% - 15% of the GVWR.

[edekgb]

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

[DutchmenSport]

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.

[enblethen]

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.

[edekgb]

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.

[WyoTraveler]

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

[edekgb]

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.