Recommended Weight Distribution Hitch for 2019 Toyota Highlander Towing 2018 R-Pod 179

Updated 08/08/2023 | Published 08/06/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Round - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW

(175)

$418.59

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

(3870)

$18.84

1-1/2" 12pt Socket - 3/4" Drive - Chromium-Vanadium Steel

(279)

$14.26

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs

(3870)

$13.61

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 4,500 lbs GTW, 450 lbs TW

(112)

$520.82

Question:

Im looking for a weight distribution hitch for my 2019 Toyota Highlander towing a 2018 rPod 179. Your site recommends this: Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW I am concerned reading the reviews that it is heavy and might be tough to install. Im strong but Im a woman who will be doing this myself. Am I going to be able to hitch/unhitch when we arrive at our camp site? Is there a different product youd recommend instead?

asked by: Anna G

Expert Reply:

The weight distribution hitch in the question you looked at was based on the loaded trailer tongue weight. It is impossible to find the right WDH based on the vehicle alone. It looks like your 2018 R-Pod 179 has a dry tongue weight of 292 lbs so based on the GVWR you're probably maxing out tongue weight around 400 lbs. To be sure, I recommend measuring your fully loaded tongue weight setup with a scale like the # e99044.

Based on that information, the Fastway e2 # FA94-00-0600 would not be the best choice. This puts you at the very bottom of the 400-600 lb tongue weight range of the system so it will be too much for what you have. The better choice would be the Fastway e2 # FA92-00-0450. This has a tongue weight range up to 450 lbs so it would cover you when fully loaded and unloaded. In addition to the hitch itself you will also need # 40038 for a 2" ball or # C40005 for a 2-5/16" ball along with # ALL643210 for hitch ball installation.

This system is about 20 lbs lighter than the other, coming in at around 57 lbs total. The majority of the weight will be in the head and shank, which is true for all systems. Setup won't be too difficult, and it even comes with a snap-up lever to get the bars into place. I would say if you consider yourself to be strong you won't have any problems.

I have attached an installation video below so you can see what the process is like, along with a helpful article on how to measure tongue weight for your reference.