Weight Distribution Hitch Recommendation for Toyota Sequoia Towing Escape Travel Trailer

Published 10/23/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW

(875)

$748.75

1-7/8" 12pt Shallow Socket - 3/4" Drive - Chromium-Vanadium Steel

(290)

$19.44

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(875)

$728.77

Question:

I have read extensively on towing a travel trailer but have no towing experience. I have not bought a tow vehicle or a trailer yet. I am planning on a Toyota Sequoia and an Escape 21 tt. Two adults totalling 350# with gear of 300# in tv. The Sequoia GVWR is 7300, the GCWR is 13,500, GAWR front of 4,000 and rear of 4,280, cargo capacity 1,275, tow capacity 7,100, max. tongure weight of 730. The Escape21 has a dual axle. GVWR is 5,000, UAW is 3,350 plus options of 350 to equal 3,700 empty. Expected cargo to be no more than 800 including propane. Fresh water to be used as needed for balance. I am estimating a trailer GVW of 4,500#. At 10-15 tongue weight I am expecting a tongue weight range of 450-675#, the 12 target weight would be 540#. Weight behind the tv axle is estimated at 0-300# as needed. The trailer at the GVWR of 5,000# at 12 would give a tongue weight of 600#. I have not factored in the weight of the hitch. It appears to me I would be pushing the Equalizer 90-00-0600 limit of 600# and should be looking at the 90-00-1000. In previous answers I have read that you cannot exceed the weight limit of the hitch because you negate the weight distribution benefit. I also read that too high of a weight limit on the hitch causes trailer bouncing and a stiff ride. I live in the midwest but am planning on towing throughout the country including the mountains. What do you think of their products and what are your reccomendations? Thank you,

asked by: B737 D

Expert Reply:

I definitely appreciate all the research you've done and you sharing it with me as well. So the first thing to point out is that the weight of a weight distribution system does not need to be factored in as additional tongue weight. Our manufacturers have stated to us that the WD system essentially becomes a part of the hitch and therefore it's weight would not get factored.

Equal-i-zer systems like the ones you mentioned are widely considered the best so you are on the right track with that brand. So lets figure out which system is the best for your setup. The loaded tongue weight is the figure needed for determining the correct system. This factor also included the weight of any cargo behind the tow vehicles rear axle. So since you are pretty close/slightly over the 600 lb figure the best option is going to be the higher rated # EQ37100ET which has a tongue weight range of 600 to 1,000 lbs. Equal-i-zer has often told us that when someones application is right at the cut off point between the two systems you want to go with the higher system so that's also why the # EQ37100ET is best option. I attached a review video for this system for you to check out as well.

To install the included hitch ball you will need a thin walled socked like part # ALL643216 and you'd be set.

expert reply by: Jameson C