Tow vehicle - weight and balance - safety

[Pat M]

Hi Group - My wife and I are preparing to go to Texas to pick up our new Casita 17' Freedom Deluxe (est dry weight 2385). I will be using a V6 2004 Toyota Highlander to tow it. I have a brake control installed and a hitch. The tag on the hitch says 3500 max capacity and 350 max gross tongue weight. or 4000 gross and 400 tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch (WDH). I have been towing light boat trailers for years.

So I went out and bought a round bar WDH with a 600 lb tongue weight 10,000 overall limit. (It weighs a ton.)
my veh specs say 3500 total towing capacity. I bought the Toyota with a towing package "Tow prep package and converter (3500 pounds)" I really don't know what that all means.

When my wife and I stand (320lbs+-) on the hitch of the car the rear of the vehicle drops 1.5 inches.

Do I really want to use the WDH?

I really want to be safe.
I really hate the extra weight of the WDH.
I reallly don't want the extra hassle of a WDH.
I would love to get the $$ back from camping world and buy a nice fun thing for the egg.
Did I say I want to be safe?

How do I know what I need?

[Pete Dumbleton]

You would get a better towing experience with the WDH because it will redistribute the tongue weight properly.

That said, you really don't NEED it.

[Ian-Vicki]

I echo what Pete says. Having done it both ways, there's no way now I will tow without a WDH. It makes a world of difference to my comfort level. I also keep the rig at 55-60 mph (90-100 kmph where I come from).
After all, this is about enjoying yourself and a stress-free tow is part of that too.
cheers
Ian

[Pat M]

Thank you both, I'll follow your lead.
(We can't wait to pick up our egg!)
Pat

[Rocky R.]

Hello Pat,
Like the others have said, I would go with the WDH and also the sway bar. We tow our 2007 Casita 17'SD with a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and feel safe and have had no trouble towing.
Hope you enjoy your new Casita as much as we enjoy ours.