Alternative Weight Distribution Hitch Options For Sway Control On a VW Tiguan

Question:

We just upgraded from a 19 foot to a 23 foot FB airstream and completed a 4500 mile trip with our 2013 VW Toureg Tdi. The manual for the Toureg says not to use a weight distribution hitch on it so we have been using the Tuson system we bought with your recommendation in series with the electric brakes. We are getting more sway with the 23 ft than the 19 foot although the tongue weight is less. This has worked in significant sway, but not well enough to avoid multiple terrifying moments. In a search of the internet there are a variety of people saying the manual should be ignored. The car definitely sits front wheel high at this time but otherwise tows fine. What should I do?

asked by: Jeffrey B

Helpful Expert Reply:

The next best option you have to help prevent/reduce trailer sway while towing the Airstream with your Tiguan is a friction sway control bar which is what makes up the sway control on most weight distribution systems. For this, I recommend the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit part # 83660 with the Reese Sway-Control Bracket part # RP26003. There will not be any issues using this kit with the Tuson # 335TSC-1000 that you have now but please keep in mind that the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit does require that you drill into your trailer's frame.

If drilling into the frame is not something that you care to do then your only other option for sway control is a weight distribution system with integrated sway control. I cannot recommend this as the owner's manual says not to but if I were you, I would do what is needed to help keep the trailer on the road and for you and your family to feel safe while towing. The warranty of the vehicle does not do much good if it gets totaled in an accident caused by a squirly trailer.

In order to pick out a weight distribution system we will need to find out what your total tongue weight is. The total tongue weight is simply the loaded tongue weight of the trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. Once you have this figure we can then get a weight distribution system. The best one on the market for sway control is the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System. I suspect the correct one for you will be part # EQ37140ET but if you can give me the GVWR of your trailer along with an estimate how much much weight you carry in your cargo area, I would be able to confirm this for you as well. You can still continue to use the Tuson Sway Control System with this system as well.

expert reply by: Conner L