weight distribution hitch

[handfixer]

I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 with tow package.  I believe my tow capacity is 6500 pounds.  I am thinking about buying my first pop up (Fleetwood Niagara to be exact).  I have already purchased and installed Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller.  I have also already purchased a draw-tite sway control.  I am told Niagara dry tongue weight is 230 pounds.  Do I need a weight distribution hitch such as Equalizer instead?

[4-Barrrel]

I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 with tow package.  I believe my tow capacity is 6500 pounds.  I am thinking about buying my first pop up (Fleetwood Niagara to be exact).  I have already purchased and installed Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller.  I have also already purchased a draw-tite sway control.  I am told Niagara dry tongue weight is 230 pounds.  Do I need a weight distribution hitch such as Equalizer instead?

As long as the camper is level or a little low when it is hooked to the tv, you should not need a sway control.

I pull a 1970# camper with a Gmc Jimmy rated at 3500# and don't have a bit of trouble. If you get the tongue too high, that is when it will start to sway.

[chip]

You don't mention which model year Niagara you are considering, but mine GVWR's at 3970#.  I tow with a Trailblazer, and it wants to "squat" some when hooked up.  I am thinking about some supplemental springing in the form of air bags for the rear of the truck, either air adjustable or Timbrens.

I have found that I need to have the propane tanks and the water heater full, or the trailer wants to wander a bit, so I am considering a sway control.  I'll decide on that after a couple more trips and some reloading practice.
We have a camping trip planned for the end of this week , so I'll be closer to a decision afterwards.

[dthurk]

Tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of the actual weight of the camper to prevent sway.  An even better proportion would be 12% to 15%.  Adjust your tongue weight by changing the load distribution in the camper itself.  Having the camper level while towing is important, but the tongue weight percentage would be the primary factor to consider.  

Personally, I would think having sway control would be safer than not having it.  If you've already bought sway control, use it, particularly on a camper as large and heavy as the Niagara.

[handfixer]

You don't mention which model year Niagara you are considering, but mine GVWR's at 3970#.  I tow with a Trailblazer, and it wants to "squat" some when hooked up.  I am thinking about some supplemental springing in the form of air bags for the rear of the truck, either air adjustable or Timbrens.

I have found that I need to have the propane tanks and the water heater full, or the trailer wants to wander a bit, so I am considering a sway control.  I'll decide on that after a couple more trips and some reloading practice.
We have a camping trip planned for the end of this week , so I'll be closer to a decision afterwards.

I am considering 2007 Fleetwood Niagara.  Does anybody know what size receiver ball?  I want to get my TV ready before going to dealer to purchase my Niagara.

[flyfisherman]

Some of the previous Fleetwood (Coleman) models, seemingly those with a front trunk, were a bear to tow. They were just out of swack ... even empty! True, after you learned to pack and distrubute the cargo weight properly, they did seem to go on down the road O.K..  But if it were me ... I'd have the sway control; considering the cost, it's a no brainer. And especially when your talking a 3,000 lb + GVWR.

As for the ball size ... 2" is about the standard of the industry.


Fly

[tknick]

sway control is never a bad idea.  weight distribution may or may not be necessary depending on your TV.  weight distribution does exactly what it says...it distrutes the weight of your trailer across all 4 wheels of your TV, not just the rear wheels.  If you have a lot of squat when you hook up, they you will need weight distribution.  Also, check the info on your trailer hitch.  the hitch on our Expedition can handle more tongue weight than the hitch on our Explorer, even though both are class III hitches.  I would need weight distribution on the Explorer, but not on the Expedition.

You'll just have to play it by ear

travis

[handfixer]

sway control is never a bad idea.  weight distribution may or may not be necessary depending on your TV.  weight distribution does exactly what it says...it distrutes the weight of your trailer across all 4 wheels of your TV, not just the rear wheels.  If you have a lot of squat when you hook up, they you will need weight distribution.  Also, check the info on your trailer hitch.  the hitch on our Expedition can handle more tongue weight than the hitch on our Explorer, even though both are class III hitches.  I would need weight distribution on the Explorer, but not on the Expedition.

You'll just have to play it by ear

travis

Thanks everybody.

[dthurk]

Sway control and weight distribution are 2 separate creatures.  Make sure the tongue on your camper is capable of handling weight distribution.  The tongue on many popups is not strong enough to handle the additional stress.  Many manufacturers will recommend against using weight distribution on those campers.  Check with your dealer.

[Morin]

As far as the ball goes..  definately find out in advance.  I thought 2" was standard as well but for my Coleman (1989) it was a 1 7/8".  May be advantageous to get one of those 3 ball hitches so you can tow a variety of things... i do not think they are that contagious.

[dthurk]

2 5/8 here.  Is bigger better?

But then, I'm not towing a popup anymore.

[zamboni]

Originally, I had a 1994 10' Starcraft.  Very light, about 1500 lbs - no sway/WD, 2-door V6 Explorer.  Truck could pull it easily - barely noticed it (weight-wise).

Upgraded the TV, and since we planned a bigger camper, went with the V8 Explorer.

Later, a complicated family swap gave us a 2002 Coleman Niagara - we towed with a single sway bar.  It definitely towed better than the Starcraft.

2 years later, we sold the Niagara, and upgraded to a Jayco 23B Hybrid.  Much heavier!!!  However, thanks to this website, I understood weight distribution, etc.

I bought it with an Equal-i-zer hitch.

Without a doubt, the Jayco with the Equal-i-zer tows better than the Niagara with a single sway bar -- BY FAR!!!  The only noticeable difference is the decreased power due to the heavier load... but the TV/camper load is MUCH MORE STABLE.  Like Chevrolet says -- it is "Like A Rock" (but a damn heavy one...)

I am an Equal-i-zer Believer! (it was less than $100 more than a regular WD hitch at the time of purchase)

[grcooperjr]

Some of the previous Fleetwood (Coleman) models, seemingly those with a front trunk, were a bear to tow. They were just out of swack ... even empty! True, after you learned to pack and distrubute the cargo weight properly, they did seem to go on down the road O.K.. But if it were me ... I'd have the sway control; considering the cost, it's a no brainer. And especially when your talking a 3,000 lb + GVWR.
 
As for the ball size ... 2" is about the standard of the industry.
 
 
Fly

My new Fleetwood Evo E3 uses a 2 3/8 I think. I had a 2" before and the RV store changed it out for the correct size when i picked it up.
 
Ray Cooper
Tigard OR

[handfixer]

Originally, I had a 1994 10' Starcraft.  Very light, about 1500 lbs - no sway/WD, 2-door V6 Explorer.  Truck could pull it easily - barely noticed it (weight-wise).

Upgraded the TV, and since we planned a bigger camper, went with the V8 Explorer.

Later, a complicated family swap gave us a 2002 Coleman Niagara - we towed with a single sway bar.  It definitely towed better than the Starcraft.

2 years later, we sold the Niagara, and upgraded to a Jayco 23B Hybrid.  Much heavier!!!  However, thanks to this website, I understood weight distribution, etc.

I bought it with an Equal-i-zer hitch.

Without a doubt, the Jayco with the Equal-i-zer tows better than the Niagara with a single sway bar -- BY FAR!!!  The only noticeable difference is the decreased power due to the heavier load... but the TV/camper load is MUCH MORE STABLE.  Like Chevrolet says -- it is "Like A Rock" (but a damn heavy one...)

I am an Equal-i-zer Believer! (it was less than $100 more than a regular WD hitch at the time of purchase)

Thanks for the feedback.  This is a great website.  Being a newbie, I am trying to minimize my mistakes by asking questions.

[grcooperjr]

Thanks for the feedback. This is a great website. Being a newbie, I am trying to minimize my mistakes by asking questions.

HI AGAIN....
I made a mistake on the size. instead of 2 3/8 inch it is 5 5/16 inch.
sorry about that
 
Ray Cooper
Tigard, OR