What Causes Trailer Sway that Starts Below 65 Miles Per Hour
Question:
I tow a fully loaded single axle travel trailer of 3800 lbs with my 2008, V6 Toyota 4 runner 4530 lbs 5580 GVWR. It wobbles a bit at highway speeds under 65 mph. I plan to replace the weight carrying hitch with a frame to frame DrawTite hitch to accomadate a weight distribution hitch but I need advice on what weight distribution hitch is best for this combination. I notice most WD hitches are rated for trailers over 6000 lbs. which seem excessive for my tow set-up.
asked by: Jack Z
Expert Reply:
The wobble or sway you are experiencing is due to one of two reasons. Most likely it's that you don't have enough tongue weight relative to total trailer which is the number one cause of sway. You can move cargo weight forward in the trailer which will fix this. You want the tongue weight to be between 10 and 15 percent of total trailer weight.
Other possibility is that the trailer's nose is sitting up too high. You need it to be as level as possible by using the correct rise/drop ball mount which I attached a help article on how to do.
But for a weight distribution with sway control for a trailer that weighs what yours does the Reese Strait Line part # RP66082 would be a great option as it has a tongue weight range of 200-600 lbs and features best sway control at preventing sway before it starts.
