Towing with Gen 3 TRD Off Road. Options for off-road “anti-sway”?

Hello everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster. I have a trip planned next week and I’ve been reading through the towing FAQ but still a little confused about “anti-sway device”. I want to make sure I am towing safely.

I drive a stock 2019 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 with tow package. I am adding a REDARC brake controller, mirror extensions and fresh tires this week.

I recently purchased a Sun-Lite 16BH and will be towing over the sierras and going slightly off-road. The roads will not be hilly and will be bumpy / rutted. The hitch weight is 210lbs and GVWR is 3,500lbs. My trucks payload will be at max (hopefully not over).

The manual indicates that over 2,000lbs a sway device is to be used, and to use a WDH over 5,000lb. I read in the towing sticky that a WDH cannot be used off-road, however, it seems most anti-sway hitches are in combination with a WDH.

I’ve both read these forums and talked with several people on the phone… everyone seems to have a different opinion.

What are my options?
1. Do not add anything and “see how it drives”
2. I found a CURT anti-sway hitch that doesn’t appear to be WDH. One person said this may stress the trailer frame.
3. WDH w/ anti-sway and unhook the WDH chains when going off-road.
4.

$1,400 Self-leveling 165FT/50M, Drain Pipe Inspection Camera Built-in 512Hz Transmitter, Meter Counter, with Microphone Speaker DVR Recorder, 16GB TF Card, Guide Wheel (5mm Cable)

Self-leveling air bags
5. Anti-sway bar kit (hellwig)

What do y’all think?

I am leaving in ~ 10 days so I’m short on time. I have experience towing but now realizing I’ve likely been doing it wrong.

 

You don’t need anti-sway when off-road. Just use a WDH hitch and remove the torsion bars/chains when you want to drive off-road. You won’t be going fast enough to worry about sway and if you do you won’t be doing it long enough to matter because a Sun-lite will fall apart.

 

Thanks for the quick feedback. Seems like adding the WDH will make for a more pleasant driving experience for the majority of the drive even if it’s overkill. I’ll just unhook once I am off-road.

I’ll be driving slow off-road but now you have me worried about it falling apart?!? I have the upgrade to 6″ Lift with Off-Road Tires & Black Steel Rims. The tires / suspension look beefier than other trailers.

 

You’re basically towing a stick built garden shed on a flat bed trailer, sided with aluminum sheeting and an interior held together by staples. I doubt the lift does anything to help ride smoothness, they’re typically just leaf spring flips and spacer blocks on trailers. Go slow and you’ll be alright.

 

The anti sway properties of a wdh sure make highway driving easy. Just pull the torsion bars when off road and you are good to go.

 

The majority of my campsites are off pavement, with a few that are off trail. Ive opted to not use a WDH or sway bar at all because of that.


I'm not going to make the claim that its right. That's just what I have chosen to do.

 

Most of the advice I received so far is “drive it and see how it feels”. Problem is that I don’t have really any time to test the trailer before taking it on the trip. I’ve towed utility trailers but nothing this tall which concerns me in potential high wind situations driving over the sierras then across Nevada. The weight doesn’t concern me at all TBH. It’s just the height + wind.

 

Yeah, the height might be an issue in a strong wind. A good crosswind has challenged my pop-up on some trips.

 

A good weight distribution hitch is worth it for peace of mind. I got the Andersen with the extended hitch and have 0 complaints. It doesn't need to be disconnected for anything, unless you're unhitching obviously. If needed you can extend the chains with extra links and a quick link (galvanized or stainless) from the hardware store.

 

you do not need a wdh for that trailer IMHO. I tow an rPod 180 (3,500#) and have for six hears over 25,000 miles. I do have sway control, just as a precaution, but have towed the trailer without it. That said, with my previous trailers, towed with Tundras, I did need a wdh, as the trailers were in the 23 to 28' range at about 7,500#.

So far as sway control is concerned, I have a Curt brand sway control bar, but Husky and others make them, so I would shop for the best deal.

 

The best anti sway on gravel is speed control.

I'd be fine using a WDH on a few miles of gravel, but any actual traversing no way.

I'm team "see how it drives" but always suggest tools to prevent sag, which lets the truck tow more effectively, so hellwigs/airbags/leaf upgrades etc.

If the truck can tow effectively it has less issues, if you hit bump stops on the trail out it will hurt towing ability.