Recommended Weight Distribution System for a 2008 Toyota Sienna Towing a 3,500 lb Trailer

Updated 11/06/2017 | Published 11/04/2017

Question:

I need help ing the products we would need. Wed like to haul a 2012 Livinlite Camplite BHB with our 2008 Toyota Sienna. Our vehicle already has a hitch with a 3500 lb weight limit, or 6000 lb limit with weight distribution no electrical hooked up. I would like to install a sway bar and weight distribution hitch. Expert advice is greatly appreciated!

asked by: Lauranell

Helpful Expert Reply:

To ensure that you are towing safely you will first of all want to make sure that you are towing within the limits of your trailer hitch as well as your 2008 Toyota Sienna. On page 361 of your owner's manual it states that your max trailer weight rating is 3,500 lbs. Even though your trailer hitch can handle more than that, your Sienna is the limiting factor so you will need to stay within that weight range.

If your trailer weighs under 3,500 lbs then a Weight Distribution (WD) system will help to make your towing setup level and will help with sway from crosswinds and passing vehicles. You will want to choose a WD system with a Tongue Weight (TW) range that the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of your towing setup falls in the middle of. To find the TTW of your towing setup you will need to add the TW of your fully loaded and ready-to-go trailer along with the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your Sienna. Keep in mind that a properly loaded trailer will have a TW that is 10-15% of the loaded weight of your trailer.

Since your trailer cannot weigh more than 3,500 lbs a great WD system for you to use would be the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37060ET it is rated for up to a 6,000 lb trailer and has a TW range of 200 lbs - 600 lbs which should be the range you need. It includes a 4-Point integrated sway control so an anti sway control bar is not needed. This system is compatible with 2 inch hitch receivers and comes with a shank and a 2 inch hitch ball.

I have attached a review video for this WD system as well as some helpful articles on towing that you can reference.

expert reply by: Jon G