How to Eliminate Vehicle Sag and Bottoming Out when Towing a Boat with a 2010 Toyota Sienna CE

Question:

Have had installed a Class 3 DrawTite hitch on my 2010 Sienna CE. Hitch sits very low..... Was pulling a 16 ft boat and trailer this weekend and hitch scratched the road surface a number of times bottomed out. Do I need air bags, more rigid coilss...or another hitch.

asked by: C. C

Expert Reply:

I am sorry to hear you are having problems towing your boat with your 2010 Toyota Sienna. There are a couple of solutions that may work for you. The best and safest way to eliminate the sag at the rear of your vehicle, that occurs when the boat trailer is hooked up, is to use weight distribution.

Weight distribution will transfer the tongue weight from the trailer tongue to the vehicle and boat trailer axles and keep the boat trailer towing level, which will eliminate the bottoming out that you experienced.

Most boat trailers have a pole tongue and will need a pole tongue adapter (see link) to adapt the trailer for use with a weight distribution system.

Selection of a weight distribution system will depend on several factors. The tongue weight of the trailer it will be installed on, loaded and ready to tow, will be the first consideration. Next, you will need to consider the style of pole tongue adapter that is needed to fit on the trailer frame, and whether or not there is a hydraulic surge coupler on the boat trailer. Total weight of the boat trailer loaded and ready to go is also a consideration.

If there are surge brakes on your trailer you will need to use a friction style sway control system (see link). If your boat trailer does not have surge brakes then a standard weight distribution system will work on your trailer (see link).

If you would like to send the above information about your trailer I will be glad to help you select a system that will work on your trailer.

Suspension enhancement would help a bit and if you were still having issues after installing weight distribution it would be a good idea. For your 2010 Sienna the Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs - Rear Kit, item # F4155, is the correct fit for your vehicle. Since your vehicle is new, new coil springs in the rear will most likely not help the situation and all of the hitches available for your vehicle will have similar construction with the receiver in the same location.

expert reply by: Robert G