Can 2016 Toyota Sienna Use Weight Distribution Hitch For 3,500 lb Trailer

Updated 06/09/2021 | Published 06/07/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(847)

$200.26

Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - 7-Hole Shank - 6K GTW, 600 lbs TW

(203)

$698.75

Question:

Id like to purchase our first travel trailer. Empty weight is 3240 and the tongue weight is 460 pounds. Ive been told different things by various service departments dealer, and 2 RV stores regarding the use of a weight distribution hitch. My current hitch Curtis was an after-market class 3 2-inch receiver and is rated at 3500 pounds with a max 350 tongue weight. If I use a weight distribution hitch the current hitch warning label says it can be 5000 with a 500 pound tongue weight. One RV dealer told me the van has a unibody frame and will not take a weight distribution hitch, two others said it will. Who is right? The purchase of the trailer we are looking at hangs in the balance and a decision has to be made ASAP. Please help clarify. Thanks

asked by: Scott P

Expert Reply:

Your 2016 Toyota Sienna can use a weight distribution hitch so long as your trailer hitch is rated for use with weight distribution; since you mentioned you have a Curt, their hitch that fits your '16 Sienna, has the same ratings as yours, and is rated for use with weight distribution is the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13105.

Since you have this trailer hitch, a weight distribution hitch can be used. Having said that, I looked at the online owner's manual for a '16 Sienna and it says, on page 213, that the "gross trailer weight must never exceed 3500 lbs." So that should be the maximum GVWR of any trailer you get because you have to go by the lowest-rated aspect of the set up; so even though the hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs with weight distribution, your trailer will need to have a maximum GVWR of 3,500 lbs.

It also says you will need sway control for any trailer over 2,000 lbs so I recommend a weight distribution hitch with sway control, with the best option for this weight being from Blue Ox:

- Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distribution with Sway Control # BLU36FR

The TrackPro uses clamp-on brackets, making it one of the easiest systems to set up, has excellent sway control at the hitch head and brackets, and comes with a 2" hitch ball so you don't have to purchase the ball separately, like you do with most systems.

expert reply by: Kyle S