What do I need to tow this travel trailer besides a hitch ball?

I have a 2020 Toyota Tundra CrewMax SR5 with a towing capacity of 9,800 pounds.

I am eyeing a 2021 Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS travel trailer with the following specs:

Hitch Weight: 377 lb.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) : 3877 lb.
UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight): 3097 lb.
CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity): 780 lb.

My question is this: I already have a factory hitch, so what do I need to haul the travel trailer besides a hitch ball?

Frankly, I thought I just needed a hitch ball, but I’m seeing mentions of things like weight-distributing hitches, sway bars, etc. online, so I am super confused.

I am new to the world of trucks and travel trailers, so any help is appreciated!

 

I honestly don't believe you will need a WDH for a trailer that light, others on here may disagree with me on that I'm sure. But being a beginner, a WDH can get complicated very easy if you don't do your homework on it or if just listen to the salesman at the RV dealer.

Does a WDH have its advantages...of course that's why you hear so much talk about them. However I believe they really show their worth in gold after you exceed the 5k or 6k trailer weight.

The biggest thing you'll want to learn is how to load your trailer up and distribute the weight evenly. Make sure the tires are inflated properly, and all the other little things that will make your life easier.

Enjoy your new toy and get out there!

 

Thanks for the quick reply, Medic343! So in your opinion, I just need a hitch ball, right?

That would certainly be simple.

 

I'm agreeing with the above statement but its not a bad idea on a windy day to have a good set up i have pulled campers for many yrs and different sizes i personal lole have a weight dist. Hitch for the simple fact it just feel like the camper and the truck are as one when done right. If that makes sence . O a windy day that camper will wonder behind you more with out that set up. But try it out first see how you feel.

 

Yeah just buy a receiver with the right sized ball on it and you'll be good to go. I tow a 23 foot tandem axle travel trailer with no WHD on short trips, if I'm going 300+ miles I'll add the WDH. I anticipate you will get advice from both sides of the fence on this one.

 

Also forgot to mention the plethora of great information in the Towing and Hauling sticky section of this site. Here is a great start for you

https://www.tundras.com/threads/know-before-you-tow.26095/

 

Besides the ball, you'll also need some kind of sway control. I have the same basic trailer as you and you will be fine with a friction system. It's a separate system that uses a small ball attached to the trailer and a second to the tow ball hitch mount. Have the dealership install it as you'll need to weld a small extension onto the hitch mount (unless you've got those skills).

After you load up your trailer with all the gear, I highly recommend getting it weighed so you can get a true tongue weight. Mine should have been the same as yours, but is around 700lbs when I'm loaded up. I think 500lbs is the threshold that Toyota recommends getting a weight distribution hitch. It will also help remove most of the negative rake on your truck when hooked up with the trailer.

 

700lb tongue weight on a similar sized trailer? I think you have your trailer loaded incorrectly or way over capacity if that's the case. Your tongue weight generally is about 10-15 percent of the gross weight of the trailer. The OP is buying a trailer with a GVWR of 3877 that shouldn't be more than 400lb tongue weight if loaded correctly.

 

That's what it should be, but not in reality. With a single axle trailer, it is easy to over load the front. I added a real mattress, two 20lb propane tanks and dual 6-volt batteries. Once I get all the gear in the front compartment and two bikes on the rack that sits above the propane tanks she's crazy heavy. I'm still under the trailer GCWR and the axle rating, so it's just a factor of what I haul and where I can store it. These small trailers are pretty limited on storage unfortunately

 

I believe the owner's manual only recommends a WDH if your trailer is over 5000 lbs.

 

I guess I never considered the compartment setup on a trailer. That stinks all of your storage is up front on a single axle. I definitely understand the propane tanks being a factor. maybe you can do a battery relocation to help? That plus mount the bike rack to the back of the trailer? Luckily my trailer is set up with storage in the back and I can load the inside over the axles

 

My dry weight on my 21 foot tandem axle is 3844 lbs and my tongue weight is 410 according to the label.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

 

I strongly recommend some kind of sway control, you’ll be glad you have when you’re white knuckling it on a windy day!! AnD I’m surprised no one has mentioned a BRAKE CONTROLLER...my 2012 didn’t have a factory one, although the new Tundies might. You can purchase one that is plug and play, it plugs into a factory pig tail up under the dash...pretty easy install if you have some mechanical aptitude. I tow a 33’ toy hauler. It’s a lot better when the golf cart is in it(behind the axles).

 

Do you have any details on where the pig tail is located? I have a 2013 SR5 with tow package but no controller. Our trailer that we just bought has electric brakes, but I will be adding a WDH soon.

 

It's a stupid design. Most people don't scale their trailers, so I'd be willing to bet many are well over the spec weight. The placard should be the weight from the factory, but not with all the gear. That's what people forget. Since I'm still under my trailer's GVWR, axle and tire rating, the overall GCWR and it tows just fine, I'm good with it. I wouldn't do this with a heavier trailer with that high a percentage tongue weight.

Can't relo anything either...moving the batteries would be a PITA and the owners manual specifically says don't attach anything to the rear bumper other than the spare tire. Guess it's not designed for any real weight like a bike rack.

 

I tow a 4000lb trailer with my 19 tundra , I use weight distribution hitch and sway bar. Truck squats inch and a half without WDH and half inch with it .

 

Forgot to mention , use tow/haul button and keep your truck on s4 (don't tow on D) with speed around 60mph , that will keep your transmission temp under control and I would buy and odb2 reader to keep an eye on it especially if you are doing long distance

 

Thanks for all of the helpful information everyone! If I am doing my research right, it sounds like the Equalizer product is a distribution hitch and sway bar in one and should be all I need, right?

 

Pretty much , I use this myself

Husky 30849 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control

$296 Husky Towing 30849 Weight Distribution Hitch

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RCSKPO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QuiqFb0DVEX95

 

I highly recommend a WDH on a trailer your size. Our Jayco hybrid was close to your size and it caused about 3”- 4” of squat On the tundra without the WDH. Plus, the anti-sway feature of the 4 point hitches like an Equilizer E2, which I have, is worth its weight in gold in heavy crosswinds. Talk to you camper dealer about it. I am sure they will recommend a WDH. Remember....safety first!

 

You don't "need" a weight distribution hitch, but I'd highly recommend one with built in sway control.
This (but for a heavier trailer) is what we use.

Husky Liners 32216 Center Line TS with Spring Bars - 400 lb. to 600 lb. Tongue Weight Capacity (2-5/16" Ball) For Trailer

https://www.amazon.com/Husky-32216-...line+hitch&qid=1598416981&s=automotive&sr=1-1

 

I have a 24’ trailer and run a Fastway e2 hitch. It’s made by equalizer but it’s a 2 point vs 4point sway control. I love it and it keeps my trailer from swaying just fine. Cost is good as well. Just hook it up and go!

 

As far as NEED, something that light and all you should need is the regular ball hitch and a brake controller, unless you spend a lot of time where high winds are a concern. Stock transmission gauge on the dash should be more than fine for monitoring your transmission temp. I tow my 27" 4000 lb travel trailer all the time in D unless I'm going up twisty mountain passes where shifting manually in Sport is better to keep the transmission hunting for gears. Also saves your brakes on the downhill bits.

As far as WANT, having sway control is very nice to have but the setup is pricey.

 

The what now?

 

He must be thinking of the older trucks with the gauge... as my 2019 (and I'm sure the 2020) does not have it. Now that I have my Pioneer HU in, I can monitor them but most don't have the equipment.

 

I didn't think any of the trucks had it but yeah the 2019s and 2020s definitely don't. Not sure about earlier ones.

 

Yes, I have the 2007, so no digital readout like the newer gens have. My bad.

 

Mind sharing a picture of your dash?

 

Under the RPM dial