Do I need a weight distribution hitch?

[deano55]

I have a 2020 Toyota Tundra Platinum with 2W/4W drive. I also have a factory towing package on it and according to the owner's manual, I can pull 9800 pounds. I have purchased a travel trailer (Rockwood Roo) and the empty weight on it is 5639 pounds. Tongue weight is 738 pounds. Based on speaking with others, I would not pull it with tanks. When I hitch the trailer, the back end of my truck drops a bit. I have not measured how much it drops. I pulled it 400 miles from the dealer to my house with no sway issues and no problems. I get a weight distribution hitch, and do I need sway control? I appreciate your thoughts.

[18LT]

My opinion is yes, you should have a weight distribution hitch.
It’s an absolute necessity if your vehicle’s rear axle weight when loaded is greater than the gross axle weight on your vehicle’s door jamb sticker.
Hook up to your camper and go to the nearest truck stop to weigh your rig on their scales.

[rsdata]

Very definitely YES...

you need a WDH...

start shopping at etrailer dot com and watch some youtube videos before making the best decision and educate yourself...

[clr]

You should get a WDH as well as sway control for your setup. I would strongly suggest some research on your part, due to the many type of WDH's and sway control, to determine what is best for your case. I would look at WDH's and weather they allow backing up, some do and some do not. I would also look into sway control, you will not NEED it until it to late. Ounce of prevention type of thing.

[Guspech750]

[fipntdot]

My opinion is yes. It will help stability and performance in those West Texas winds.

[yukongold]

Yes - to both questions.

[rsdata]

the empty weight on it is 5639 pounds. Tongue weight is 738 pounds.

these are false numbers... your trailer will NEVER be empty again

add your normal camping gear, a battery and propane and your tongue weight will go up as will the total trailer weight...

https://youtu.be/w9Dgxe584Ss

[SailorSam20500]

I don't know about Toyota, but Ford specs on my F150 for weight carrying hitches (non weight distributing) have a max tongue weight of 500 lbs. Over 500 lbs should be on a weight distributing hitch.

Note that the reason for WD is to maintain appropriate load on the front axles of your vehicle, not issues with sway. Without the correct weight ratio between front and rear axles, your vehicle steering can be seriously compromised. If your truck is noticeably squatting, you probably need WD.

Sway control is a totally separate issue. Any towed trailer can and will sway under the "wrong" conditions, speed being a major contributor. Somewhere on this forum is a thread with a guy who got into a flat spin when his popup trailer started seriously swaying and he lost control.

[Bob K4TAX]

If the tongue weight of the trailer approaches or exceeds the hitch weighting of the vehicle, then YES, you do need a WDH. It would also be advisable to add a sway control bar as well.

Bob

[bikendan]

Yes, you need a WDH. Read the owner's manual towing section, it will say it's required for that amount of tongue weight.
Also post a pic of the truck's payload capacity sticker, on the driver's door. The sag may be from exceeding that number. Tundras are infamous for poor payload capacities.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

If the tongue weight of the trailer approaches or exceeds the hitch weighting of the vehicle, then YES, you do need a WDH. It would also be advisable to add a sway control bar as well.

Bob

No.

You need a wdh when the manual for the tow vehicle says you need it. (some vehicles don't need one up the maximum rating on the hitch)

...and if the trailer exceeds the hitch 'weighting' of the vehicle (I assume you mean rating) it is too heavy for the vehicle. A wdh doesn't make it ok.

[Old Coyote]

I tow a ±5,000 lb trailer with a 2022 Tundra (Previously with a 2004 Tundra). Check your Truck Specifications, it probably shows that you are limited to 500 or 700 lbs on your Hitch Receiver WITHOUT a WD Hitch, or considerably more WITH a WD Hitch.
I use and HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Andersen WD Hitch, It is easy to install, easy to hitch/unhitch, provides Sway Control, is easy to adjust for more or less Weight Distribution, and DOES NOT REQUIRE REMOVAL to back-up.
When towing my Trailer with the Andersen Hitch I barely know the trailer is there, NO SWAY when passing or being passed by a big rig or in side winds, and NO TROUBLE backing into tight camp sites. It uncouples from the truck with the removal of ONE PIN, and raising the hitch form the ball, very simple.

[FrankG]

Direct copy from the 2020 Toyota Tundra Owners Manual:
Reference 4-1 Trailer towing
"● If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control
device with sufficient capacity is required.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity is required."

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by FrankG

Direct copy from the 2020 Toyota Tundra Owners Manual:
Reference 4-1 Trailer towing
"● If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control
device with sufficient capacity is required.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity is required."

It's amazing what information can be found in your vehicle's owners manual.

[mort]

Get the Equal-i-zer brand with 4 way sway control with the optional nylon inserts. The most popular hitch of all time OR one of the good copies like Anderson. Sway is one of the main reasons of rolled over trailers. Especially when a big gust of wind hits the side and it all just flips on it's side. These hitches are as good as the $2-3000 hitches and eaiser to get parts for down the line. Best bang for the buck!

[deano55]

Thanks for all the advice. I will get a wdh with sway control. Nice to be able to rely on experienced campers.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by mort

Get the Equal-i-zer brand with 4 way sway control with the optional nylon inserts. The most popular hitch of all time OR one of the good copies like Anderson. Sway is one of the main reasons of rolled over trailers. Especially when a big gust of wind hits the side and it all just flips on it's side. These hitches are as good as the $2-3000 hitches and eaiser to get parts for down the line. Best bang for the buck!

X2 loved my equalizer 4 point. Bought it to keep my trailer straight on my 3/4 Ram kept it until I got rid of TT. Towed a much heavier TT with my 2014 Tundra. Never could have done it without the WDH. Onside note just 60 or so miles west of you, traveled the lots in these parts

[jboczek]

Yes, you probably need both weight distribution and sway control. I vote again for the Andersen hitch. It takes care of weight distribution and sway, is very easy to hook/unhook and easy to adjust. I use one with a 7K lb. trailer and easily get the weight transfer I need, it controls sway and "porpoising" way better than than my old round bar WDH.

[hobienick]

Originally Posted by Old Coyote

I tow a ±5,000 lb trailer with a 2022 Tundra (Previously with a 2004 Tundra). Check your Truck Specifications, it probably shows that you are limited to 500 or 700 lbs on your Hitch Receiver WITHOUT a WD Hitch, or considerably more WITH a WD Hitch.
I use and HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Andersen WD Hitch, It is easy to install, easy to hitch/unhitch, provides Sway Control, is easy to adjust for more or less Weight Distribution, and DOES NOT REQUIRE REMOVAL to back-up.
When towing my Trailer with the Andersen Hitch I barely know the trailer is there, NO SWAY when passing or being passed by a big rig or in side winds, and NO TROUBLE backing into tight camp sites. It uncouples from the truck with the removal of ONE PIN, and raising the hitch form the ball, very simple.

X2 for the Andersen. I used it on my Roo 19 and now on my Imagine 2800BH.