Recommended Hitch and Weight Distribution for 2007 Toyota Tacoma Towing 3500 lb Pop-Up Camper
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Question:
Hello Need technical help... Have bought from you folks before with excellent results and its no wonder folks at the Pop Up Portal recommend. Would like to ask a question related to weight distribution hitches. With the unusual nature of the Coleman Evolution 1 trailer tongue, I wonder what hitch would work? The trailer is max gross at 3500. I tow with a 2007 4 cylinder Tacoma from the bumper ball as this is rated at 500 pound tongue weight. I am fighting getting a big ole heavy class three receiver hitch because...well...I just dont need it. More weight ugghhhh But I need a 2 inch reviver so I was thinking about a bumper mount receiver. Having said that, Im hearing that the distribution hitch puts even more weight on the tongue so maybe my hope of using the bumper is a no go. Dont want a heavy receiver hitch when I can tow just fine without one. Anyway, knowing the tongue layout of the E1, do you have a distribution hitch that will work on it? Should I even try to consider a bumper mount hitch in this situations? I currently have 1500 pound helping springs on the truck so everything rides pretty darn level as it is but... Thanks for your excellent tech help here
asked by: David R
Expert Reply:
I did some research on the Coleman Evolution, and it appears that a typical weight distribution system would work just fine with the layout of the tongue. If you have propane bottles on your pop-up, they might interfere with the chain hangers that fit around the top of the trailer frame. You could use a bolt-on hanger, part # RP58305 if this is the case.
Due to the additional leverage that a weight distribution hitch places on the receiver, a bumper mounted receiver like # E-3S is NOT rated for use with weight distribution, therefore I cannot recommend it. I would personally feel much more comfortable using a Class III receiver like the Curt # 13323, which would only add about 45 lbs.
Because we determine tongue weight as being between 10 and 15 percent of the trailer weight, your tongue weight would be somewhere between 350 and 525 lbs, given the GTW you provided. You will need to include the weight of anything carried in the truck bed behind the rear axle as tongue weight.
Although the # PS49582 you mentioned would work for you, it is rated for trailers with much higher tongue weights than yours. A lower-rated system like the Pro Series # PS49901, which you can see by clicking the provided link, would be better suited to your camper, and would provide a better ride.
Having helper springs will not eliminate the need for a weight distribution system, their job is to help suspend anything carried in the truck bed. Applying tongue weight to the rear of the vehicle will actually lighten the front end of the truck, and in some cases can lessen steering and braking response. A weight distribution system uses the leverage of the spring bars to apply a portion of the tongue weight to the front axle of the vehicle, which helps keep the ride height balanced between the front and rear axle.
I have linked you to the products I recommended, and also linked to some install details, an install video and an FAQ with more information about weight distribution.
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on Weight Distribution Hitch
