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Old 08-07-2014, 09:16 PM #1
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Weight Distributing Hitch suggestions

I finally got my 4Runner in shape (had to rebuild the rear diff completely - thanks to the crushed pinion spacer affliction), and my track car will be getting up and going here soon. So I'm looking at weight distributing hitches.

Info about setup:
-2WD V6 '07 Sport
-Bilstein 5100's, stock springs (~1-1.25" higher in the rear)
-Installing Hidden Hitch 70779 receiver soon
-Car is ~2450 lbs, close to 50/50 weight dist., pretty small, so not much aero drag
-Likely getting an 18' open car hauler, average advertised weight on them is 1800-1900 lbs
-Likely another 300-500 lbs of cargo
-Adding an auto trans cooler up front soon

Average towing will be ~80-200 miles, mostly flat.

It seems a weight distributing hitch is a good idea from reading about it. Seems the cost adder is only about $170 over just getting a ball and standard hitch. I'd rather get that then go with airbags in the rear.


Any recommendations on which WD hitch to get? I'm guessing I'll need one with some drop distance capacity, but most seem to give tons of raise, and maybe 1-2" of drop for the ball. Thoughts on where that typically needs to be for the average car hauler?

It seems like I'd need a WD hitch rated for 800 lbs of tongue weight (since they quote the upper end of its range). That sound right?


Any other suggestions? I'm not really looking to tow like a bat out of hell, and most of this will be on flat terrain very close to sea level, so I don't think the V6 power will be an issue.
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Old 08-07-2014, 09:18 PM #2
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BTW - I did search, and read through 6 threads. I didn't really see any specific suggestions, and mostly just people saying get a 1 ton dually to haul a 4500 lb load.
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Old 08-07-2014, 09:51 PM #3
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I have used a equalizer hitch on a F 250 they are great, i forget what make it was.
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Old 08-07-2014, 10:19 PM #4
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I am using the Blue Ox Sway Pro to tow our travel trailer behind the 4Runner.

blue ox
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Old 08-08-2014, 03:32 PM #5
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Seems kinda pricey. I don't think I really need the sway control stuff, given how much it adds to the price.

Anybody else?
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Old 08-08-2014, 04:31 PM #6
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I had a Curt weight distributing hitch on my V6... very well built. It has since been replaced by a CBI rear bumper.

Not the best pic, but all I could find right now...


I've towed a couple of vehicles locally on a 16ft tandem axle car hauler, lumber on that same trailer, and a U-Haul single axle box trailer from Indianapolis to Colorado Springs without any issue. The gas mileage sucked going through Kansas with a 40-mph head wind! I'm at about 6800' in elevation and don't feel that power has been an issue at all. I have a 2" drop hitch and it has worked fine at my ride height.

You should be fine hauling the weight you're talking about... positioning the car is key. You want enough tongue weight to keep the trailer tracking properly, but let the trailer hold the weight so you're not squatting the rear of the 4Runner too badly. Cars are easy to roll back and forth to find the best position.
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Old 08-08-2014, 04:37 PM #7
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V8 Sport 4wd owner here - I tow my FD on a 18' open car hauler with all my gear and spares inside the 4Runner. I bought the Air Lift bags and put them in the rear - no WD hitch. I use the same receiver as you are planning to buy and a rapid hitch adjustable ball mount. I only tow 5-8 times a year so the 4Runner works good for me. Hauls good and stable at 75mph. I found its all about positioning the car correctly.

I know it isn't the exact answer you're looking for just wanted to share my experience.

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Old 08-08-2014, 07:04 PM #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPS13 View Post
Seems kinda pricey. I don't think I really need the sway control stuff, given how much it adds to the price.

Anybody else?
It's well worth the price if you pull a high profile (catches wind easy) travel trailer like I do. If I get an enclosed trailer for my track car I will use it on there too. For me the added control is piece of mind, it's kinda like insurance.

You won't find many WDH setups without sway control. You might be better served and airbag setup.

But when I get an enclosed trailer for the track car I will probably upgrade to the Lexus GX460 or something similar.
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Old 08-08-2014, 11:46 PM #9
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Look in CL for a used set. 1000 LBS or 1200 LBS don't matter.
WD is a must for me when I tow anything now.

BTW, don't under estimate the power of sway-bar. It helps you fight sudden cross wind.

I have the Reese BTW.
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Old 08-09-2014, 12:07 AM #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doozi View Post
I had a Curt weight distributing hitch on my V6... very well built. It has since been replaced by a CBI rear bumper.
That is a hitch receiver.

A WD hitch uses torsion bars to transfer hitch weight to the front of the tow vehicle.
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Old 08-09-2014, 01:49 PM #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hongster View Post
Look in CL for a used set. 1000 LBS or 1200 LBS don't matter.
WD is a must for me when I tow anything now.

BTW, don't under estimate the power of sway-bar. It helps you fight sudden cross wind.

I have the Reese BTW.
Oh I'm sure it's nice, but I'm not looking to drop $500+ on a hitch for a "fairly light and low profile" load.

Most of the yahoos around here want essentially new price for a rusted out WD hitch with pieces missing. I'll just get something new and save myself the hassle if I go that route.

Same thing with trailers. 95% the ones I see are all 10+ years old and they want 90% the price of a new trailer. No thanks...
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Old 08-09-2014, 01:54 PM #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacho View Post
V8 Sport 4wd owner here - I tow my FD on a 18' open car hauler with all my gear and spares inside the 4Runner. I bought the Air Lift bags and put them in the rear - no WD hitch. I use the same receiver as you are planning to buy and a rapid hitch adjustable ball mount. I only tow 5-8 times a year so the 4Runner works good for me. Hauls good and stable at 75mph. I found its all about positioning the car correctly.

I know it isn't the exact answer you're looking for just wanted to share my experience.

Nice looking FD!

Doing it all over again, would you go with a WD hitch or just keep it simple with the air bags?

Seems like I can get a new WD hitch for roughly $220ish. Like this:

Pro Series RB3 Weight Distribution System with Shank - Round Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 750 lbs TW Pro Series Weight Distribution PS49582
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Old 08-09-2014, 04:06 PM #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacho View Post
V8 Sport 4wd owner here - I tow my FD on a 18' open car hauler with all my gear and spares inside the 4Runner. I bought the Air Lift bags and put them in the rear - no WD hitch. I use the same receiver as you are planning to buy and a rapid hitch adjustable ball mount. I only tow 5-8 times a year so the 4Runner works good for me. Hauls good and stable at 75mph. I found its all about positioning the car correctly.

I know it isn't the exact answer you're looking for just wanted to share my experience.

Isn't that an SR5 with a Sport hood? Roof rack and running boards aren't sport. And I think the badge on the side says SR5. No knockin', just something I noticed. Nice looking rig.
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Old 08-10-2014, 12:00 AM #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy556 View Post
That is a hitch receiver.



A WD hitch uses torsion bars to transfer hitch weight to the front of the tow vehicle.


Oh... thanks for the info! When I was shopping for mine, I could have sworn that they meant "distributing the weight to both frame rails" versus just being mounted in the center, but I probably just assumed that. I've seen those torsion bar set-ups before and thought they were for controlling sway. Learn something new today... check!
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Old 08-10-2014, 06:42 AM #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doozi View Post
Oh... thanks for the info! When I was shopping for mine, I could have sworn that they meant "distributing the weight to both frame rails" versus just being mounted in the center, but I probably just assumed that. I've seen those torsion bar set-ups before and thought they were for controlling sway. Learn something new today... check!
Unfortunately the acronym WDH was used for both application like were thinking (upgraded hitch or/& the torsion sway/weight transfer system). On the v6 a WDH system can't be used without upgrading the hitch to a frame mounted hitch to disperse the forces properly.
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