Weight Distributing Hitch or Air Bags? Both? Neither?

CorvetteFan · 10-31-09, 12:14 PM

Yesterday, we ordered a new 17' Casita travel trailer... delivery will be the first week in May 2010, so I have a bunch of time to be sure that our '96 Land Cruiser will be ready and up to the task!

So, here's my question... with a traler weight of ~3,000 pounds and a tongue weight of ~400 pounds, will I need a weight distributing hitch OR air bags OR both OR neither?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/showroom.html

Ebag333 · 10-31-09, 12:44 PM

Only 3k lbs? I regularly tow a 3k lb boat with no bags, special springs, or special hitch.

You will want to have about half an inch of stink bug in the back so that it sits nice and level. The

truck sits level, and is about half an inch low in the rear when towing. (Mine is half an inch high and sits level.)

Make sure your lights are adjusted properly when you are towing.

If you don't want to adjust the stance, throw some airbags.

The 80's were not designed for a weight distributing hitch, and Mr. T does not recommend the use of one.

inkpot · 10-31-09, 01:06 PM

Howdy! Do these have electric brakes on them? Did not see any reference to brakes on the link. Maybe not necessary, but mighty handy to have. John

CorvetteFan · 10-31-09, 01:09 PM

Yes, John, they are equipped with electric brakes... awfully nice - and compact! - little trailers!

Rob

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkpot

Howdy! Do these have electric brakes on them? Did not see any reference to brakes on the link. Maybe not necessary, but mighty handy to have. John

CorvetteFan · 10-31-09, 01:12 PM

Thanks a million, Ebagg333! In my post, I forgot to mention that at about 60,000 miles, I installed OME springs & shocks... the "middle ones" If I recall correctly.

The truck has 133,000 miles now (not quite broken in!).

I assume that I have the "towing package"... I seem to recall that all USA FJ80s have that.

Thanks again!

Rob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Only 3k lbs? I regularly tow a 3k lb boat with no bags, special springs, or special hitch.

You will want to have about half an inch of stink bug in the back so that it sits nice and level. The

truck sits level, and is about half an inch low in the rear when towing. (Mine is half an inch high and sits level.)

Make sure your lights are adjusted properly when you are towing.

If you don't want to adjust the stance, throw some airbags.

The 80's were not designed for a weight distributing hitch, and Mr. T does not recommend the use of one.

valentine · 10-31-09, 04:59 PM

You'll need to add a brake controller if it comes with electric brakes.

Here's a thread I started a while back when I bought our travel trailer.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ontroller.html

I also added air bags, and use a Hensley hitch.

When I tow, I have my wife and three boys in the rig. I believe I have the safest setup I can possibly get with using an 80 as a tow rig.

9180ltd · 10-31-09, 06:07 PM

I pull a 19 foot North River welded aluminum jet boat, and by the time i get gear (beer and bait) and a couple buddies im sitting on the bump stops. I installed Air Lift air bags to compensate. No idea how much the boat weighs but for the 100-120 bux the bags are a sound investment.
My .02

Ebag333 · 10-31-09, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorvetteFan

Thanks a million, Ebagg333! In my post, I forgot to mention that at about 60,000 miles, I installed OME springs & shocks... the "middle ones" If I recall correctly.

The truck has 133,000 miles now (not quite broken in!).

I assume that I have the "towing package"... I seem to recall that all USA FJ60s have that.

Thanks again!

Rob

FJ-60 or FJ80?

All 80's have the extra tranny cooler, not all have the tow hitch.

douglashuft · 11-01-09, 01:27 AM

I have ome mediums and added air bags for towing my 2,700 lb trailer and it keeps the rear end from sagging. Everything just seems much more stable with the bags pumped up. I went with the red airlift bags.

Butt Ugly Chuck · 11-01-09, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorvetteFan

I assume that I have the "towing package"... I seem to recall that all USA FJ60s have that.

My 60... no. Aftermarket hitch, aftermarket wiring.

Butt

Mark W · 11-01-09, 02:18 AM

I routinely tow A 20 foot trailer loaded with other Cruisers (including '80 series) with an '80 and a weight distributing hitch. It is works great. Toyota does not recommend? So what? we do a lot of things with our rigs that Toyota would never make any statement in support of.

Mark...

Michael Hanson · 11-01-09, 03:33 AM

We have air-ride bags and weight dist. hitch. Mike

CorvetteFan · 11-01-09, 05:49 AM

Oops, my post needed editing! I should have said "All FJ 80s..." (not FJ60s!)

My 80 came with the factory hitch... I removed it some years ago and installed the Kaymar rear bumper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebag333

FJ-60 or FJ80?

All 80's have the extra tranny cooler, not all have the tow hitch.

Brentbba · 11-01-09, 03:08 PM

I've towed a 4000lb trailer with airbags. Since you've already installed OME I'd recommend Airlift airbags. You've got a nice little hole on each side of that Kaymar bumper that is a great place to run the shraeder valves from each bag! For brands of brake controllers, I know several of us on the board really like the Prodigy controller. With only 3000 lbs you really don't need to spend the $$ on a weight distribution hitch. They are more pricey than airbags and as had been said, not recommended for use on our cruisers by Toyota. That being said, I did use a weight distribution hitch prior to installation of airbags. I prefer the later!

timbercruiser · 11-02-09, 06:33 AM

Stock 80 and I have airbags and WDH. Works fine