Sway Bar recomendations

[dondford]

I am tooling up to tow a EZ Coyote 20C with my 2005 V6 4Runner. Based on recommendations from you guys, I will have the Hayden trans cooler and P2 brake controller installed by the end of the week. I have been assured I don't need a weight dist system but I do want a sway bar. The UltraFab Ultra Friction Sway Control p/n 35-946204 is affordable and I like the looks of it. Any suggestions or recommendations from the pro's?
Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Don

 

[TechWrench]

I am tooling up to tow a EZ Coyote 20C with my 2005 V6 4Runner. Based on recommendations from you guys, I will have the Hayden trans cooler and P2 brake controller installed by the end of the week. I have been assured I don't need a weight dist system but I do want a sway bar. The UltraFab Ultra Friction Sway Control p/n 35-946204 is affordable and I like the looks of it. Any suggestions or recommendations from the pro's?
Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Don

If you are SURE you won't need a weight distribution system, then this device should help with trailer sway, if you have it. Have you tried towing this trailer yet? If not, I would wait until you have, to be sure you will need sway control. The reason I say this, is if you do find that a weight distribution system is needed, most of them include sway control as part of the system.

First be sure the trailer and receiver are set up correctly to ensure the trailer rides level, and there is sufficient tongue weight (load balance). This is the first step in helping to control any possible sway issues. If you do decide to go ahead with the sway control device, remember that you will have to have the one ball mount bar for the sway device welded to your ball mount in the receiver on the tow vehicle, or you will have to purchase a special ball mount deisgned to accept the sway device front ball attachment.

 

[dondford]

Yes, I pulled the trailer for 6-7 mile test drive. When we hooked up the trailer was level and the 4R didn't swat and remained level. The 4R pulled it fine with no issues on this short drive. I didn't have the brake controller or sway bar during the test tow so I took it easy. The trailer didn't sway, but no semi's were blowing by me either. The camper dealer didn't think I needed a WDS (I recognize he won't be pulling the trailer, but then again he sells WDS and I suspect if he remotely thought I needed it he would have tried to sell me one.) I posted the question if I needed a WDS with my combo on several forums and the replies were about 50/50 yes and no. I'm hoping with the brake controller, sway bar and trans cooler towing will be no problem. I will take a short 60 mile shake down trip in a week or so and if I feel I need a WDS I will get one.
Do you have a recommendation for a WDS?

D

 

[TechWrench]

Yes, I pulled the trailer for 6-7 mile test drive. When we hooked up the trailer was level and the 4R didn't swat and remained level. The 4R pulled it fine with no issues on this short drive. I didn't have the brake controller or sway bar during the test tow so I took it easy. The trailer didn't sway, but no semi's were blowing by me either. The camper dealer didn't think I needed a WDS (I recognize he won't be pulling the trailer, but then again he sells WDS and I suspect if he remotely thought I needed it he would have tried to sell me one.) I posted the question if I needed a WDS with my combo on several forums and the replies were about 50/50 yes and no. I'm hoping with the brake controller, sway bar and trans cooler towing will be no problem. I will take a short 60 mile shake down trip in a week or so and if I feel I need a WDS I will get one.
Do you have a recommendation for a WDS?

D

There are several good systems out there, depending on how much you want to spend. I am using the Equalizer system, which incorporates both WD and sway control in its design. I tow a 26' camper, that weighs about 5,300 loaded, several times a year and it works well for me. I find it is easy to use, and maintain, though the initial setup adjustments can be a bit daunting. Just remember, (and I think this may have already been discussed in an earlier thread) to install a WD system on your V6, you will have to replace the oem hitch receiver with a frame mounted model designed to handle a WD system.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Someone beat me to it, but yes, your stock V6 crossmember mounted receiver cannot use a WD hitch, and is NOT recommended for a sway control setup either. You would have to install a full frame mounted receiver (class 4). Around $200 if you do it yourself ( I did last year so I could use a friction sway control on my trailer).

To the OP, you don't mention your trailer fully loaded gross weight. This is the main number needed to determine which WD hitch you might need. They are rated by how much weight the trailer load is.

Some are as low as 3500 lbs, 4000 lbs, and they move up from there to 5000, 10000, and so on. If you do decide on a WD hitch, get one just over the max tow gross weight of your trailer. So for example a 3750 lbs trailer, get a 4000 lbs rated WD hitch. It will work as designed much better than overkilling it with one designed for a lot more weight.

I tow a 3600 lbs travel trailer, but I have not decided if I need WD. If I do, I will get this Reese WD Hitch RP66069 for A-Frame Trailer.

Reese Light-Duty Weight Distribution System - A-Frame - 4,000 lbs GTW, 400 TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66069