So, I bought a small (16') travel trailer, it weighs 2000lbs and I don't expect much trouble with my 06 Dcab Taco. But, back when I bought it, the web-site advertised the tow package as having a 6500lb towing capacity, and included a weight-distributing hitch.
Now that I am actually looking at whether I need a WD hitch, it got me wondering... is the hitch on the Tacoma really a WD hitch? What would make it so? All of the WD hitches I have seen involve some type of spring bar between the trailer and the WD hitch... Is there something with the way the factory Tacoma hitch is mounted to the frame that gives it WD?
For purely safety reasons, I want to know if adding a 'cheap' single bar Reese would really do anything, or if I should look at a more complicated link-type (propride or hensley). Does anyone make a simple link-type hitch without WD? I don't think the weight is going to be an issue, but the sway control features are interesting...
So, I bought a small (16') travel trailer, it weighs 2000lbs and I don't expect much trouble with my 06 Dcab Taco. But, back when I bought it, the web-site advertised the tow package as having a 6500lb towing capacity, and included a weight-distributing hitch.
Now that I am actually looking at whether I need a WD hitch, it got me wondering... is the hitch on the Tacoma really a WD hitch? What would make it so? All of the WD hitches I have seen involve some type of spring bar between the trailer and the WD hitch... Is there something with the way the factory Tacoma hitch is mounted to the frame that gives it WD?
For purely safety reasons, I want to know if adding a 'cheap' single bar Reese would really do anything, or if I should look at a more complicated link-type (propride or hensley). Does anyone make a simple link-type hitch without WD? I don't think the weight is going to be an issue, but the sway control features are interesting...
No, you have 6500lb tow capacity WITH A WDH added. Without is much less. A WD hitch is a large hitch with bars on it that distribute the weight to the front wheels of the truck, thus making the tow much safer.
No, the hitch on the truck has nothing to do with a WDH, but it will accept one. Only once you have a WDH will your tacoma's hitch have WD.
With only a 2klb trailer, you are on the border of even needing a WDH. If it was mine, i probably wouldn't bother with one but TOMHOLE on this site can help you better than I.
The only thing is if you don't get one, you'll need to be sure and load the trailer a little tongue heavy in order to be somewhat safe.
But again, ask Tomhole on this site and he can help you better. I only tow 5th wheels.
I am trying to find the 'old' Toyota web-site, but the wording was "includes a 6,500lb weight distributing hitch". I always thought that was a bit misleading... from what I understood the 'hitch' to be (ie, not just the receiver).
The trailer is an Airstream Basecamp, and we might throw our dirtbikes in the back... but they would load pretty much over the axle. I am not too worried about the tongue weight itself, but the trailer pushing the truck around... we live in a very, very hilly and twisty area of British Columbia (20% grades on the road here) and I want to do everything I can to minimize the risk of having a wreck. Even empty, it is easy to get the back end pushing when braking into these gravel corners...
I've already hooked up a Tecknosha P3... and we are going to get the trailer in May I hope.... it is in Nevada right now and it is a 4000km or so drive for use. Obviously, I want to have a very peaceful trip back with no worries...
The little baby Reese WD single bar is only $350 or so... while the Propride and Hensley are both $2500... overkill for my situation, but they would probably be great in the corners here...
{edit}
I found the reference to the hitch under 'accessories'... "Class IV Weight DistributionTrailer Hitch" is what they call it on Toyota's site. That doesn't seem right to me...
Last edited by friday; 03-10-2009 at 03:50 AM.
Reason: Additional info
Describing the receiver on the Tacoma as weight distributing is not misleading. Some receivers cannot be used in WDH mode. You just need to add a weight distributing hitch to make the system work.
At 2,000 lbs, I wouldn't think you need a WDH. But most pop up trailers weigh more than 2,000 lbs, so I gotta ask if you are sure it weighs 2,000 lbs. The more important weight is the hitch weight. If it's less than 500 lbs, then I would say you have the option of not using a WDH. If you don't load a lot of stuff in the truck, I think you'll be fine without one.
The empty weight of the trailer is 1950lbs, and has a 2500lbs rated axle, so there isn't much room for cargo. I guess the 2008 upgraded to a 3000lb axle. I'll have to see how it works and perhaps do the upgrade myself.
I think the tongue weight would have to be less then 350lbs, maybe even towards 250lbs, as the target for this trailer was so people could tow it with small SUV's.
Back to the description on the Toyota sight, do you mean that there are Class IV receivers that can't take a WD hitch?
Don't know about the 06 taco but my 05 has the stock towing package with a class 4 receiver. I tow a 21' TT and use a Prodigy brake control, Robin 1000lb WDH and Husky sway control. As half ton trucks go the taco rear springs are a joke so the WDH is a must with anything bigger than a tent trailer. Sway control is a must also. Shop around cuz $2500 is way to high, should be able to get everything for about $600.
The empty weight of the trailer is 1950lbs, and has a 2500lbs rated axle, so there isn't much room for cargo. I guess the 2008 upgraded to a 3000lb axle. I'll have to see how it works and perhaps do the upgrade myself.
I think the tongue weight would have to be less then 350lbs, maybe even towards 250lbs, as the target for this trailer was so people could tow it with small SUV's.
Back to the description on the Toyota sight, do you mean that there are Class IV receivers that can't take a WD hitch?
All class IV hitches are capable of receiving a WDH. Some class III's are not. So, with those weights, hook it up and enjoy the tow. I wouldn't use a WDH for a trailer that light.
Just beware, you will may get the urge to upgrade to a bigger trailer
Well, we got the trailer delivered finally, and it tows very nice. But, even with the change-up springs in the Taco, it is squatting too much and it makes the back wheels throw a lot of gravel.
Any idea if the Reese single bar will fit on a Basecamp? The tongue weight is much too high... I'd say around 450lbs... which is a lot for a 2000lb trailer...
Personally i don't see a need for a wd hutch. . . But if you really want to get a straight answer to your questions give u-haul a call!! I went to them for a hitch problem i had and they answered every question i had to the best of their knowledge! Check out their website or give them a call. . .
Tacoma Weight Distributing Hitch?
Linear Mode
