How to Select Weight Distribution System for Horse Trailer

Question

Question:

First, thanks so much for responding. You guys are awesome. My Highlander is a 2018 Limited with a tow package (engine only). It is not a hybrid. It has a 5000 lb towing capacity. I had a Curt tow hitch installed (the dealership did it). I don't know much about inertia brakes, but what I have read indicates you do not need a brake controller with it if you are hauling less than 7700 lbs., which I definitely will be. The total trailer weight for the Brenderup Imperial that I am looking at is 1950 lbs., and the horse is 1100, so I would be well within the 5000 lb. limit. The Highlander has a Safety Sense feature. It keeps you from running over pedestrians, slows you if you are on cruise so you don't run up behind a slower driver, and helps keeps you in your own lane unless you indicate you are changing. I understand how interfering with the electronics might interfere with this feature. I am thinking that the trailer with a weight distribution system may be enough. I think there is an adapter that runs from a 4 prong to a 7 prong, but I don't know if you have to add the brake controller to use that.

asked by: Donna H

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Expert Reply:

For your 2018 Toyota Highlander, the Curt hitch that fits is # C13200 and this hitch is compatible with weight distribution systems. It has an 8,000 lb towing capacity and 900 lb tongue weight capacity when used with a weight distribution system, which gives us a good idea of the system you need.

In order to choose the best weight distribution system you will first need to know your total tongue weight (TTW), which is the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your 2018 Toyota Highlander.

The tongue weight is typically between 10% and 15% of your trailer's GVWR but you'll want to verify it by using a scale such as the etrailer Tongue Weight Scale # e99044 or by using one of the methods outlined in the help article on determining tongue weight I've linked for you. From there, simply add on the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle and you'll have your TTW. The ideal system would be one in which your TTW would fall somewhere in the middle of the weight distribution system's tongue weight capacity.

For example, if your TTW was 1,200 lbs you would want the Equal-i-zer # EQ37120ET, which is for TTW between 800 lbs and 1,200 lbs. If you let me know what your TTW is I would be happy to make a recommendation for you so you can get the correct system.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Donna H.

1/30/2019

First, thanks so much for responding. You guys are awesome. My Highlander is a 2018 Limited with a tow package (engine only). It is not a hybrid. It has a 5000 lb towing capacity. I had a Curt tow hitch installed (the dealership did it). I don't know much about inertia brakes, but what I have read indicates you do not need a brake controller with it if you are hauling less than 7700 lbs., which I definitely will be. The total trailer weight for the Brenderup Imperial that I am looking at is 1950 lbs., and the horse is 1100, so I would be well within the 5000 lb. limit. The Highlander has a Safety Sense feature. It keeps you from running over pedestrians, slows you if you are on cruise so you don't run up behind a slower driver, and helps keeps you in your own lane unless you indicate you are changing. I understand how interfering with the electronics might interfere with this feature. I am thinking that the trailer with a weight distribution system may be enough. I think there is an adapter that runs from a 4 prong to a 7 prong, but I don't know if you have to add the brake controller to use that.

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Kyle S.

1/30/2019

Thanks for the nice words! A brake controller is not a necessity but it will improve the handling and braking of your 2018 Highlander. That said it is not a requirement and there is an adapter that will go from your Highlander's 4-way to the 7-way on the Brenderup Imperial horse trailer, which is Adapter # 30717. You will only need to plug the 4-way side into your Highlander and tie off the wires coming from the adapter's 7-way plug. You can then choose the weight distribution system that works best for you. Based on the weights you gave me, with a trailer that weighs less than 2,000 lbs, along with a 1,100 lb horse the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET, which has a 1,000 lb total tongue weight capacity, will very likely be your best bet. This comes with everything you need for installation though Thin-Walled Socket # EQ70-00-4800 is recommended for making installing the hitch ball a simpler process. This system comes with a 2-5/16" hitch ball though if you need a 2" hitch ball you can simply add the 2" Hitch Ball for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems # EQ91-00-6080. Also keep in mind that using this weight distribution system will also require the trailer frame to be no more than 6 inches tall, and the bracket will need to be positioned 27" - 32" back from the center of the coupler.

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