Is Sway Control Needed For 2018 Toyota Tacoma Towing 3000lb Tear Trailer?

Updated 07/08/2021 | Published 07/07/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Round Bar Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - 14K GTW, 1.4K TW

(475)

$383.91

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

(3994)

$20.94

Question:

I own a 2018 Toyota Tacoma, 6 cyl, with tow package. In addition to the heavy duty components, the package has some sort of weight distribution feature - brakes to each wheel to stop sway? The tear trailer weights 3,000 pounds, the truck 6,000 pounds - will I need sway bars? Best guess? Thanks

asked by: Butch T

Helpful Expert Reply:

I took a look at the owner's manual for your 2018 Toyota Tacoma 6 Cylinder with the tow package and Toyota mentions that if the trailer being towed is above 2000lbs that a sway control system is required.

I would go ahead and install sway control like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit - Economy - by Draw-Tite, Reese and Hidden Hitch # 83660 at the minimum. This will get bolted onto the frame of your trailer and can be attached to the ball mount by using the Reese Sway-Control Bracket for 2" Ball Mounts # RP26003.

Since Toyota doesn't list a weight distribution hitch as required until 5000lbs, and you are really right on the edge of one being needed or not I would at least add sway control.

Typically any time the trailer is 50% or more of the weight of the tow vehicle a weight distribution hitch is a good idea.

If you would rather go ahead and go with a weight distribution hitch I recommend the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW # FA92-00-0600 which works with tongue weights between 250-600lbs which would be perfect for your trailer. This hitch has built in 2 point sway control which does a great job keeping the trailer going straight down the road. Since this hitch does not include a hitch ball you will also need 2" hitch ball # A-90.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C