Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2018 Toyota Highlander Towing Trailer Weighs 2,850 lb

Published 02/19/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - No Shank - 12 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(76)

$855.32

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(2626)

$23.25

2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000

(3881)

$20.93

Question:

I have a 2018 Toyota Highlander with 5000 lb towing capacity and 500 lb tung weight. The trailer is 2850 dry weight and i want to take as much risk of sway out of driving and do optimal weight distribution as I can.

asked by: Brian M

Expert Reply:

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

Since your trailer has a dry weight of 2,850 lbs you'd be looking at a tongue weight most likely between 285 and 427.5 lbs. So the best weight distribution and sway control option we have then would be the Reese Strait Line part # RP66082 which has a tongue weight range of 200-600 lbs and features the only and best sway control that works to fight sway before it starts.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C