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Weight Distribution hitch/airbags thread

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by lotsip, Aug 15, 2018.

?

Does anyone rec/ air bags for hauling a 26 foot travel trailer on my 2013 5.7 Toyota Tundra?

  1. Yes, highly recommended .

    18 vote(s)
    66.7%
  2. no, not necessary.

    9 vote(s)
    33.3%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Aug 15, 2018 at 4:14 PM
    #1
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    '14 Tundra 4x4, double cab, 5.7, off road, tow pkg., is what i have. Am picking up a 3k lb. single axle Ameri-lite 188rb travel trailer saturday, tongue wt is 344lb. My question is, is a sway bar enough, or should i also get a WDH also.?
     
  2. Aug 15, 2018 at 4:27 PM
    #2
    D1227

    D1227 New Member

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    They are worth their weight in gold. You can get by with out one but i would recommend getting one.
     
  3. Aug 15, 2018 at 4:31 PM
    #3
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Thats my gut feeling, but, the RV dealer mechanic said was uncesessary... wanted to hear what you guys thought, thanks for your input ! I mean the tundra manual said over 5000 lbs was the cutoff..........yikes,,,,,, my last tt was 4000 and I used one.........wish i had kept it....those things aren't cheap.
     
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  4. Aug 15, 2018 at 4:35 PM
    #4
    D1227

    D1227 New Member

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    My camper is 3000lbs single axle. My truck can pull it all day long with out a wdh but its not fun. The ass end will bob up and down like crazy.
     
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  5. Aug 15, 2018 at 7:01 PM
    #5
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    hahah, had a trailer do that to me too
     
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  6. Aug 16, 2018 at 4:32 PM
    #6
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    which hitch did u get ?
     
  7. Aug 16, 2018 at 5:07 PM
    #7
    aRabidLunatic

    aRabidLunatic Professional Hobo

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    What is wdh? I lose track of acronyms
     
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  8. Aug 16, 2018 at 5:24 PM
    #8
    Sterlinglwood

    Sterlinglwood Never enough!

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    I’d say you need the wdh more than a sway bar. Eliminate sag and your truck feels solid with the trailer. I use wdh without a sway bar towing a small trailer.
     
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  9. Aug 16, 2018 at 5:28 PM
    #9
    OBXTundra

    OBXTundra Member

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    Equal-I-Zer hitch.

    Simple to hook up. Proven system. Easy to back up without disconnecting anything. Weight distribution and anti-sway in one system.

    And do you need one? Yes.
    -Pulling with extra cargo, increased tongue weight.
    -Pulling in the wind.
    -Pulling on bumpy roads or at speed over bridge joints...
    -Need to make an evasive maneuver.

    You have a better chance of staying safe on your travels with a WDH.
     
    15whtrd, cjscinta and lotsip[OP] like this.
  10. Aug 16, 2018 at 6:24 PM
    #10
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Thanks guys, I think the equalizer is what I like. Look to be $500 bucks on Amazon. Would the 1000-10000 be the right size for me?
     
  11. Aug 16, 2018 at 9:42 PM
    #11
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    You should get the one closest to your trailer’s spec. The TW rating is the most important factor in determining which size weight distribution system you should use. If the bars of the system you choose are rated too high for your setup, they will create a rigid ride, which can result in a bouncing trailer. If, on the other hand, the bars are not rated high enough, the system will be unable to properly distribute the weight, rendering it useless. 1000 would be too high in your case.
     
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  12. Aug 17, 2018 at 3:51 AM
    #12
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Well, the tongue wt on my trailer is 344 empty, Equalizer make a 400-4000, which is cutting it close? Would a 600-6000 be the best fit ?
     
  13. Aug 17, 2018 at 3:57 AM
    #13
    Wisconsin Tundra

    Wisconsin Tundra New Member

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    Have the Equalizer wdh and sway control and love it. Wouldn't pull without it. Makes everything feel very stable.
     
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  14. Aug 17, 2018 at 5:53 AM
    #14
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    I would go 600 as your TW will increase loaded with gear in the trailer. You can also ask this question on etrailer to be sure. I was towing similar specs last year, your Tundra will do it like a champ.

    If you’re parking it beyond concrete pads, I would also look into Andersen levelers, awesome product. And stick a couple of small bubble levels, one on the front corner and one on the side to guide you. Always level side-side with tires and front-back with the tongue jack, the trailer stabilizers are not meant to support significant weight. It is important to level for your fridge to work properly too.
     
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  15. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:03 AM
    #15
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Thanks, great advice. Will check with etrailer also.
     
  16. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:25 AM
    #16
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    While you don’t get as much benefit from the rear sway bar as a WDH when towing, I totally recommend it for day-to-day driving. It’s a very noticeable improvement in reducing body roll especially cornering. It would be one of my first mods if I were to do it again, something you can install yourself with a torque wrench.

    I’m assuming your tow package has an OEM brake controller and you know how to set it. Mine doesn’t so I’m using a Tekonsha P3.

    Happy RV’ing!
     
    15whtrd and lotsip[OP] like this.
  17. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:29 AM
    #17
    Netmonkey

    Netmonkey Don't be a Dumbass

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    Icon stage 2 lift, 295 60 20 nitto ridge grapplers, fuel kranks, TRD dual exhaust, TRD rear sway bar
    WDH=weight distribution hitch
     
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  18. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:40 AM
    #18
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Yes, still have my Tekonsha from my last trailer 3 years ago. and whats a "rear" sway bar, just a normal sway bar, or something different?
     
  19. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:46 AM
    #19
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    The red bar here:

    BC72FAEC-42FD-4DAD-AA53-9CC559B9AAAB.jpg
     
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  20. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:53 AM
    #20
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Ah, very interesting, never see/heard of those. Thanks, will read up on those!
     
  21. Aug 17, 2018 at 6:55 AM
    #21
    aRabidLunatic

    aRabidLunatic Professional Hobo

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    Thanks!
     
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  22. Aug 17, 2018 at 7:08 AM
    #22
    D1227

    D1227 New Member

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    This is the one I have... had it for 3 years works great
     
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  23. Aug 17, 2018 at 7:09 AM
    #23
    D1227

    D1227 New Member

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    image_12732.jpg sway bar for trailer.
     
  24. Aug 17, 2018 at 7:20 AM
    #24
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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  25. Aug 17, 2018 at 7:25 AM
    #25
    sprtbkr

    sprtbkr Average Member

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    agreed 100%. my 3000# camper pulls so much better with a WDH than with just a sway bar. I have a Fastway e2.

    https://www.amazon.com/Fastway-94-0...d=1534515840&sr=8-3&keywords=e2+fastway+hitch
     
  26. Aug 17, 2018 at 7:46 AM
    #26
    lotsip

    lotsip [OP] New Member

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    Thanks everyone, great thread, learning so much!
     
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  27. Aug 17, 2018 at 10:36 AM
    #27
    OBXTundra

    OBXTundra Member

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    My buddy just added this to his Ram 2500 + 28' travel trailer setup. It looks solid and same concept as the Equal-I-Zer at a lower price point. My Equal-I-Zer came with my toyhauler, but if it didn't I would have bought this.
     
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  28. Aug 17, 2018 at 10:37 AM
    #28
    sprtbkr

    sprtbkr Average Member

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    This is a popular WDH on the R-Pod forums.
     
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  29. Aug 22, 2018 at 5:59 PM
    #29
    Jc75754

    Jc75754 New Member

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    I used an equalizer on my Real Lite 177bh 3500 lbs towing with a Taco and it makes the combo safe! Braking is a huge factor with these hitches. Remember it transfers weight to and from the camper to “even” out the load.

    One issue to remember is the weight of the camper axel and to not overload it. Check out the video link.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lVg8QgIFJoU
    I’m currently wading through it to see if it works with my tundra now.
     
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  30. Aug 29, 2018 at 3:46 PM
    #30
    woodywoodward

    woodywoodward New Member

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