Best Way to Control Trailer Sway on 6,000 lb Boat Trailer

Question:

I have a 2020 Tacoma TRD with a 6400 pound towing capacity. My boat, trailer, full fuel, and gear weigh roughly 6100 to 6200 pounds. At 55 mph, the ride feels solid. At 60 mph, you can begin to feel sway and it feels unsafe. And at 65 mph the trailer sways dangerously. Im worried, even at 55 mph, that a gust of wind or passing truck could upset the ride unexpectedly. What do recommend to help make it safer to tow? I believe the trailer/boat setup in terms of tongue weight is correct because I tow the same boat/trailer with my companys Tundra and had no trouble at 70 mph. Thanks, and I appreciate any advice you can offer.

asked by: Jeff S

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best thing you can do to control trailer sway is absolutely use a weight distribution hitch with sway control. This is by far the best option to safely improve significant trailer sway and can even be done on boat trailers with straight tongues (though not swing-away tongues), which is what I'm guessing you have.

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 2020 Toyota Tacoma.

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. 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 falls somewhere in the middle of the weight distribution system's tongue weight capacity.

Based on what you mentioned in regard to your loaded trailer being a bit more than 6,000 lbs, it is likely you have a TTW somewhere in the 800 lb range. If so, for a weight distribution hitch with sway control I highly recommend the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System with Sway Control # RP66560.

The Steadi-Flex helps prevent sway via friction in the spring bars that help eliminate movement and keep your trailer in line instead of swerving dangerously. It also uses clamp-on brackets for easy install compared to other systems and allows you to back up with the system on. If your boat trailer is a straight tongue, you will also need the Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems # RP58393.

The only other thing you'd need is a hitch ball, depending on the size of your trailer's coupler, either the 2" Hitch Ball # A-90 or 2-5/16" Hitch Ball # 19286.

I have added links to video reviews for you to check out as well.