Trailer Sway Suggestions?

kittyhawksurf

kittyhawksurf

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Does anyone have any specific make/model trailer sway control suggestions for a 2015 TRDP hauling a Palomino 12BDG (3,723 GVW)? Good/bad experiences or some that you believe would work well?

I just found out I need a trailer sway control for towing anything over 2,000 lbs. Surprise! Glad I read the manual.

I would like to install it myself, but I can't commit a whole bunch of time. The truck accessories center near me will charge $500 for parts and labor. I am hoping someone has a better suggestion here.

And yes I understand I could potentially pull with out it...
 
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kittyhawksurf said:
WTF? That's a 95% discount on the quote I got. I watched the youtube installation video and that looks so simple.
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Sounds like they may have been quoting you a weight distribution system, which I think is overkill for a trailer like that. Mine tows just fine with just the sway control kit.
 
So I called them back to find out what they were going to install. They said it is a equal-i-zee e2. But I found it under Fastway e2. Seems it does weight distribution and sway control.

It looks like you can't go in reverse possible with that other sway control. I would rather spend a little more on one that can go in reverse. I guarantee I will break that thing like 5-10 times before I get myself to stop going in reverse with it.
 
kittyhawksurf said:
So I called them back to find out what they were going to install. They said it is a equal-i-zee e2. But I found it under Fastway e2. Seems it does weight distribution and sway control.

It looks like you can't go in reverse possible with that other sway control. I would rather spend a little more on one that can go in reverse. I guarantee I will break that thing like 5-10 times before I get myself to stop going in reverse with it.
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I think I'd force myself to learn to loosen it before backing for a difference of $450. But, you have to get what you're comfortable with.
 
Granth77 said:
I think I'd force myself to learn to loosen it before backing for a difference of $450. But, you have to get what you're comfortable with.
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Hahahah. Good advice, but with the distractions of a wife, three kids and two dogs, new camper procedures, traveling, etc...
 
kittyhawksurf said:
Hahahah. Good advice, but with the distractions of a wife, three kids and two dogs, new camper procedures, traveling, etc...
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Post-it note on the dash saying "Don't Back Up Dumbass!"

I have put notes on the instrument cluster many times on different vehicles in the past like:
"Don't Use 2nd Gear"
"Remember to bungee cord the tailgate"
"55 shown mph = 62 real mph" (used in the late '70's)
"Check locking hubs after disengaging"

..and my favorite from one of the Jeeps I owned:
"Check for smoke coming from under hood before leaving." It had a tendency to backfire through the carburetor and catch the air cleaner on fire lol.

Seriously, spend $450 more for an item you will hardly ever use just because you can't remember or failed to make a note to remind? C'mon man.
 
1engineer said:
Seriously, spend $450 more for an item you will hardly ever use just because you can't remember or failed to make a note to remind? C'mon man.
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I know, I know. I just don't mind spending more money on a product that will require less time and energy, less time to maintain and less hassle to use, and is better quality. This may not be the case which is why I am here to collect opinions on the matter. You don't mind a post it note but that crap would drive me freakin crazy.

Hell if I get the same experience for $450 less well then...
 
Sway control would be a definite added bonus . proper loading is key , weight towards the front, keep that tongue a little heavy and all should be good.
 
I'll check my tongue weight as soon as I can, but loading stuff towards the front of the camper can be challenging since it is a pop-up.
 
Okay,

So I got some weights yesterday.

Vehicle weight - 4,740 lbs
Camper weight - 2,860 lbs
Tongue weight - 400 lbs (weighed yesterday at RV dealership)

Apparently I'm an idiot and didn't realize GVWR and GVW where two different things.

The Toyota manual states my total GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating [truck and trailer]) isn't to exceed 11,300 lbs. So I was adding my two GVWRs together getting 10,000 lbs or so thinking that only leaves about 1,000 lbs for passengers, camping gear and modifications. Well, I weighed my stuff yesterday and came up with some answers.

Please forgive the scribble mess, but I've never used these scales and had a little trouble deciding which scale sections to park in the first couple times.

Here is the 4Runner weight:



Here is the combination of trailer and truck. If my math appears incorrect please feel free to let me know (I know you will- hahahahah).




So my question is at this point if anyone cares to chime in...

I drove the camper for about 3 hours yesterday. There was a clear bucking. Like a push and pulling back an forth between the camper and T4R while driving. I've noticed this before on my other vehicle and it's totally manageable, but seems that may be an indication of something. MAYBE it's totally normal. I'm just curious what you guys think.

Can anyone add some opinions on that?
 
The Equal-i-zer is an excellent weight-distributing hitch that you can easily install yourself, but it's not exactly cheap. You CAN reverse with it, however. I'm not familiar with the e2, but "Fastway" is sort of like Equal-i-zer's budget line. Probably a good hitch, too.

A weight distributing hitch might be overkill for your application, and they take some investment of time to learn how to use and set up properly. But they make towing a breeze.
 
Rather difficult offering advice without seeing and observing your setup in action. Something's to check (remember never assume the obvious) - do you have the right size ball for your trailer coupler, is the nut inside the trailer coupler adjusted properly, have you preloaded your trailer with anything behind the axle? All of the can contribute to things being either out of whack or out of balance which will affect tow ability. As others have already said a weight distribution hitch will make it one with your truck, but you still will need to make sure you distribute any extra weight correctly on your trailer. Don't forget that one 20 gallon tank of propane will add about 30-40 lbs of weight onto the tongue of your trailer. Good luck.
 
LandCruiser said:
Sounds like you need a 2500 series pickup.
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Haha! Even my V8 Expedition had the "bucking" issue. It was rated at nearly 9,000 lbs towing. No thank you. I will stick with the Runner.

Bimmer-Bob said:
"Fastway" is sort of like Equal-i-zer's budget line.
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That clears up some confusion. Thanks.

skimr said:
As others have already said a weight distribution hitch will make it one with your truck
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That's what I'm looking for. If it costs $4-500 then so be it.
 
I am running the E2 WDH with the trunion style sway control arms. I tow a 2800 lb. dry weight R-Pod 179 and it definitely helps. It reduces the "squat" in back when hooked up, and also helps with the big gusts of side winds we get on the eastern side of the state up here. It was about $400, but easy to set-up and worth it for me. It may be overkill with your pop-up trailer not having that big of cross section to catch the wind like mine does.
 
It's Saturday night. Curl up with the Missus on the couch, cook up a bowl of popcorn, grab a beer and watch the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz movie "The Long, Long Trailer". I guarantee you will laugh and learn a few things about your predicament too. :-)
 
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