Selecting Correct Weight Distribution System for 2011 Toyota Tacoma Towing 28-Foot Travel Trailer

Question:

Hi, I own a 2011 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab long bed w/6400lb towing capacity and 650lb Tongue weight rating. I will be pulling a 28foot travel trailer that weighs approximately 4800lbs dry. Im looking at the Fastway E2 hitches with 8000lb GTW and 800lb Tongue weight. What are the benefits to the square bar version over the round bar? Ive also read that some people had to buy a longer bar to fit their application, how do I know if the hitch will fit correctly out of the box?

asked by: Jeff T

Helpful Expert Reply:

Weight distribution systems like the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET that use square trunnion bars tend to offer better ground clearance at the hitch as compared to round bar systems like the Fastway # FA94-00-0800. Trunnion bars enter the head assembly from the side, rather than from the bottom, so they usually allow more clearance.

Systems also differ in the size of their frame-mounted lift brackets. The Equal-i-zer with 4-Point Sway Control # EQ37100ET uses brackets that are only 2-inches wide and this can make them easier to fit on some trailer frames than larger brackets like those in the Reese Strait-Line # RP66084 which are about 5-1/2-inches wide. You can measure the available space on the trailer frame at the recommended installation point to see if you'll have enough room. On the Fastway set-up the brackets need to be between 24- and 27-inches behind the hitch ball.

The key to selecting the right system is knowing your total effective tongue weight (TW), which is the sum of the loaded trailer's actual measured TW and the weight of anything in the bed that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. These items' weight acts like trailer TW so it needs to be included in the total TW figure. This will let you select a system that has the stiffness needed to shift TW forward onto your front axle, but without causing any weird handling from the trailer. Ideally your total TW figure will fall right in the middle of the system's operating range. 800-lbs TW would be ideal for the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET.

We offer a handy scale # e99044 to measure TW but other methods are outlined in the linked article.