Upgrading tow to Tundra

[angler24]

Hello,

I have a Escape 15 and have been towing with a Toyota Highlander for years (with the weight dist hitch that Escape recommended). I hope to be buying a Toyota Tundra and will plan to tow with it. I have not done the exact measurements but I think the Tundra truck hitch will be higher off the ground than the hitch on the Highlander. Seems that if I use the same dist hitch with the Tundra the trailer would ride at an angle. How do I figure this out - do I take the Truck n Escape to a hitch place (example we have Tork Lift in Kent, Wa) for a recommendation? Anyone had a similar tow vehicle upgrade that can comment? Thanks in advance!


Jane angler

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by angler24

Hello,

I have a Escape 15 and have been towing with a Toyota Highlander for years (with the weight dist hitch that Escape recommended). I hope to be buying a Toyota Tundra and will plan to tow with it. I have not done the exact measurements but I think the Tundra truck hitch will be higher off the ground than the hitch on the Highlander. Seems that if I use the same dist hitch with the Tundra the trailer would ride at an angle. How do I figure this out - do I take the Truck n Escape to a hitch place (example we have Tork Lift in Kent, Wa) for a recommendation? Anyone had a similar tow vehicle upgrade that can comment? Thanks in advance!


Jane angler

I can't imagine needing a weight distribution hitch on the Tundra for a 15. All you need is the right bar that fits in the hitch on the truck. You can get ones with different drops to them at places like Tractor Supply, the one with the right drop will give you a level trailer.

[angler24]

yes, my 15 is a lightweight but I had the WDH on the Highlander at the recommendation of the Escape team. I thought the general recommendation is that WDH is the safest way to go. But the new Tundra will have much more power but does this negate the need for a WDH? Thanks!

[padlin]

Unless you're in a hurry, I'd wait to get the truck, then you can take the measurements to a hitch place if you can't figure out shank you want. I had an adjustable that worked with my different trucks. Something like this https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...2-02-4100.html
They come in different sizes.


I used my WDH when going from a small truck that needed it, to a large truck that really didn't. I already had it, so I used it.

[cpaharley2008]

Just buy an adjustable hitch like this...ETrailer https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...ll/TK5007.html

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by angler24

yes, my 15 is a lightweight but I had the WDH on the Highlander at the recommendation of the Escape team. I thought the general recommendation is that WDH is the safest way to go. But the new Tundra will have much more power but does this negate the need for a WDH? Thanks!

My understanding is that the WDH helps with handling and reduces rear end squat on a vehicle that is closer to the top end for the trailer. It moves the weight off the hitch and further forward so that the whole vehicle can help take the weight and improve tow vehicle handling. The Tundra has a pretty good weight rating for payload and hitch. I can't imagine that it would squat at all with the 15. It is easy to try it both ways though and it is your comfort level. The WDH is definitely more stuff to hook up and mess with though.

[Doug2000]

You won't need a WDH with a Tundra for a 15'. I didn't use a WDH on my 2008 Tacoma and 2007 Escape 17B. Didn't need it at all. I did get a WDH for the 4Runner though.

All you need is to figure out the drawbar to use. Maybe a 4" drop. Try it with out before you spend $350.

I have a new Tundra. I bought the WDH out of habit for the new 19'. Not sure if I'll need it.

[UncleTim]

I have a 2018 Tundra Crew Cab Limited. The hitch is about 18 to 19 inches off the ground. I have air bags that were installed the same time I put my fifth wheel kin pin attachment on, and I still have a 12 foot flat bed for my white water boats that I tow.

My Tundra does not deflect (much) even with the 5.0TA on it and I keep about 20# of pressure in it. The Tundra itself is superior. I have pulled with a lot of trucks including Ford Explorers. The Tundra is superior in every way (in my mind). Lots of people like Fords.

I love my Tundra and it drives like nothing else. I get about 17 miles per gallon without the trailer and about 12-14 with the 5.0TA on. I love the towing package. It also has a feature called "Tow Haul" which makes the truck very responsive. With a 5.7L V8, I never even need it. It's fun but it costs you in gas. Not sure why the image rotated.

[cpaharley2008]

I feel the same way about my 2014 Ram 1500 Sport with the 5.7 Hemi and 8 sp automatic. With dual exhaust and CAI with the RamAir hood it is a beast, but driven carefully in the tow/haul mode I can avg 14-15 mpg towing an Escape at 1700 rpm.

[ritacasita]

Don’t have E19 anymore but this is the drawbar we towed with in our 2019 Tundra Short bed. 2” drop was perfect. Your results may vary based on your tung weight and bed length.

[angler24]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. Guess that I do not need a WDH with this planned combo. I really appreciate your help. Have a great Sunday!


And UncleTim, I have Tundra envy more than never now.

[UncleTim]

Did you say Never or Ever?


Never is funny!

[angler24]

doh - typed never but meant EVER! :/

[Pembyescape]

My experience with towing a 17A and a 19 with a Tundra is that you will not need a WDH with the 17A or lighter and Tundra. The 19 and Tundra on the other hand tows with less bounce using the WDH.

[angler24]

thank you!!

[angler24]

Good morning,



I have purchased a 2015 Tundra now and have another question about the need for a WDH for towing my 15 ft Escape. I understand that the Tundra has way more power than my Highlander but can't the Escape still sway? I am trying to convince myself that I don't need a WDH with my new tow rig.

Thanks for any additional insight on this.



Jane

[Doug2000]

I never had any sway with my 17B behind my 4Runner, none. Maybe you don’t have enough hitch weight. Do you have bikes on the back?

[angler24]

No bikes. I have only ever had sway issues when I was going too fast down a grade or veered a bit too abruptly going 65 mph. But this was with my WDH on the Highlander.

thank you.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by angler24

Good morning,



I have purchased a 2015 Tundra now and have another question about the need for a WDH for towing my 15 ft Escape. I understand that the Tundra has way more power than my Highlander but can't the Escape still sway? I am trying to convince myself that I don't need a WDH with my new tow rig.

Thanks for any additional insight on this.



Jane

Hi Jane
Not knowing the reciever height on your Tundra and on your 15 I would encourage you to use a drop or rise stinger ( the part that connects the tow vehicle to the trailer) or an adjustable stinger so that you are towing as close to level of possible. Try it that way and see how you like it. If your combo does not feel right as in not feeling like the trailer follows the Tundra without jerking the rear end of the Tundra then consider a WDH. I’ve used one on both our 19 and 21 and wouldn’t be without it. However I regularly tow a utility trailer that weighs 1,000 lbs with a ton or so Rock, dirt or sand on the trailer without a weight distributing hitch and it toes fine. Of course it does not catch the wind that the Escape would. Best of luck with the Tundra and camping.
Iowa Dave

[cpaharley2008]

Weight distribution and sway are 2 different issues, and solving one does not mean the other issue is gone. Weight distribution involves a special hitch set up and involves shifting tongue weight to other axles other than the rear of the tow vehicles. It can shift some to the trailer's rear axle as well as the tow vehicle's front axle. Even weight distribution means a better towing experience. Sway is cause by improper weight on the trailer's tongue caused by improper loading of items in the trailer. Too light on tongue means a chance of sway. Too much weight means you may need a w/d set up.