towing with weight distribution hitch

I currently use a Blue Ox trackpro for my Bambi Airstream on a '21 Tacoma I'm moving up to a '23 Tundra Limited w/air bags option soon ... Can I just use my blue ox like normal or do I need to disable sway control on the truck ? or just do away with the blue ox all together (its a 3500# Bambi) .... Anyone have any insight on towing a travel trailer with the new Tundra would be appreciated - THANKS !!

 

Assuming about 4k loaded as long as your trailer brakes are hooked up that weight isn’t too much. Just check payload if you’re putting a lot of gear in your bed. Just pulled my 4k loaded travel trailer with a 2023 SR Tundra, Squatted a few inches but not bad at all felt complete stable with no weight distributing or sway control.

 

Do you have the Toyota air bags ? I thought it would auto level the squat if there is one...

 

No mine is the base model. The squat isn’t bad. With air bags should be completely level.

 

They’ll be utility in the weight distribution and sway control features of the hitch since you’re pulling a big box-sail. The weight itself is no big deal.

 

I pull a 5000+ lb trailer with my Platinum ( with air suspension ). I use an Anderson weight distribution / anti sway hitch. There is a procedure in the manual as to how to hitch and unhitch using the airbag system. Generally if your trailer weight exceeds 2000 lbs a sway control device is required. If the trailer weight exceeds 5000 lbs a weight distribution hitch is required.

 

I'm in a 2022 Limited TRD OR towing a 6000 lb trailer, using aftermarket Load Lifter air bags, and an Andersen hitch that has both WD and anti-sway. I've never turned off the truck trailer sway control because I didn't see anything in the manual to keep it off if you have an anti-sway hitch. I had about 2000 miles of towing without the air bags and another 500 with the airbags. It seems to be very stable with the bags on and the squat is gone. You've already been towing so you know to watch the hitch weight and payload.

Personally, I would keep the Blue Ox because it will add a safety factor even if the trailer is only 3500 lbs. What you will definitely notice is the available power with the Tundra. I went from a 2006 w/4.7l engine to the 2022 towing the same trailer and the difference is enormous. The ability to stay at 65 mph up steep grades and the stability is a game changer for me.

 

Your Bambi is going to put ~450 to 500 lbs of tongue weight on the hitch. That's not a lot but you will see a couple of inches of rear sag but the air ride should take care of most of that. The Blue Ox is going to help with sway and levelling as it did with the Tacoma. The Tundra's power will be a nice improvement.

The challenge will be that the levelling of the air ride will be working with the WDH so making sure that the hitch is dialled in will take a bit of work.

In the end, you should end up with a easy to pull rig.

Ours is 4,500 lbs with 500 lbs on the tongue, No air ride suspension, just a WDH.

 

here is my taco with the bambi

 

Is that a Sport 16? If so, that is a great layout with the wrap around windows at the front for sitting around and enjoying the view.

 

Yes that's a 2019 Sport 16RB Bambi .