How Does Toyota Trailer Sway Control Work

The brand-new Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck with the best towing capabilities in addition to excellent performance. Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Tundra’s capacity for towing.

Full-size pickup vehicle the Toyota Tundra comes standard with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 310 horsepower. You can even choose the 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine type if you’re searching for even better performance.

The vehicle is renowned for both its large cargo area and excellent 10,200-pound towing capacity. With these features, it’s clear that the Toyota Tundra is the best vehicle for all of your off-roading excursions.

You could worry a lot when towing a trailer since too much swaying can result in dangerous situations. The trailer may sway from your intended path due to a quick turn or shaky control. With trailer sway control, the car senses swaying automatically and presses on the trailer’s brakes to provide the driver more control.

Performance and response time of a vehicle are greatly reduced when towing. The tow/haul mode on the Toyota Tundra considerably improves the vehicle’s pulling, braking, and steering abilities.

Engine braking can be used to enhance the car’s stopping power with a single push of a button. This function is very helpful while pulling a trailer uphill.

One of the primary issues that drivers have when operating a pickup vehicle while towing a trailer is subpar braking capability. An integrated trailer brake controller that employs smart technology to apply pressure to your trailer’s brakes as and when you apply pressure to the brakes on your vehicle is activated by the Toyota Tundra. This incredible invention eliminates any dangers that could result from brake failure, especially while traveling long distances.

The Toyota Tundra is unquestionably the greatest option if you’re looking to buy a strong pickup truck with great towing capabilities. Visit Toyota of Huntington in Huntington Station, New York, to learn more about the Toyota Tundra if you reside in Melville, Commack, or Greenlawn.

Must I disable the trailer sway control?

With my 2017 Ford F-150 FX4 3.5 Ecoboost, I tow a 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 248RBS with an Andersen “No-Sway” Weight Distribution Hitch. The electronic anti-sway in my truck should be turned off if the electronic anti-sway system uses the vehicle brakes, according to the Andersen hitch’s user manual. According to the Ford F-150’s owner’s manual, the vehicle applies brakes to specific wheels and, if necessary, limits engine power.

Furthermore, the Ford manual advises against removing this feature “unless in situations where speed decrease may be detrimental (such as hill climbing) and the driver has substantial trailer towing experience and can control trailer sway and maintain safe operation.”

I have never had a camper before, and the only towing I have done in the past was with lightweight trailers. Should I turn off the Ford F-150’s anti-sway system?

What causes the Tacoma trailer to sway control?

Let’s check out the source of the power at first. The Tacoma’s optional 3.5L V6 engine produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft of torque when mated to a 6-speed automated transmission. This means that the 2022 Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6800 pounds when equipped with the Tow Package. The Tacoma can tow just about everything you need it to, whether it’s your boat, work trailer, camper, or horse transporter.

Trailer Sway Control, which is a part of the Tow Package, makes sure that you and your things arrive at your destination safely and securely. To stabilize whatever you’re pulling, Trailer Sway Control regulates engine torque and individual wheel brake pressure.

Can a trailer be backed up while using sway control?

Why the sway control bars don’t let you go behind. I fail to see the issue there.

Using a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 to tow a 2016 T28FQDX Shockwave Toyhauler with a 32-foot-34-foot hitch to the back bumper. Hitch is an Eazy Lift with a 1,000# tongue weight rating.

About 12,500 pounds when fully loaded; one sway bar; considering adding a second one.

Effective Expert Response:

Friction sway control bars are not intended to turn when backing up, but they do function well when moving forward whether or not they are turned (backing up straight is fine). Because of the apparent difference in the force being given to them when moving backward, it can and most likely will harm them. I admit that the physics involved are beyond my comprehension.

I’m not sure how your EAZ-Lift system is configured, but if you want to utilize a second friction sway control bar, the weight distribution system’s head needs to have a hole for a little ball on both sides. You cannot utilize a second bar if it doesn’t. But even if you could, utilizing two bars on a trailer that weighs more than 10,000 pounds would not be very effective.

If you’re interested, you may use a different method that allows for better sway control and does allow for backing up. I advise the Steadi-Flex, model number RP66561, with a tongue weight range of 700 to 1,400 pounds. Built-in sway control, easy setup, and no issues backing up while turning make this system ideal. If you don’t already have one, the only additional component is a ball with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank, such as # C40030. For you, I’ve provided links to some videos about the Stead-Flex system.

Your existing system may be overburdened if its weight capacity is only 1,000 pounds. The weight of anything loaded behind the back axle of the towing vehicle is added to the tongue weight of the trailer when it is loaded and ready to haul. The tongue weight ranges from 1,250 to 1,875 pounds if the trailer weighs 12,500 pounds and the tongue weight is normally 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight.

What should you do if the trailer you’re towing starts to sway side to side?

What should you do if a trailer you’re towing starts to sway from side to side? Explanation: A trailer or caravan may sway side to side (or “snake”) due to strong winds or vehicle buffeting. If this occurs, gradually release the gas. Avoid abrupt braking, quick steering, or accelerating.

How does trailer sway control lessen movement of the trailer?

3. Load capacity: Don’t fill your trailer to the brim. Remember that the weight of the trailer, tongue, vehicle, and your passengers are all included in your load capacity.

4. Fit a friction sway restraint system.

Through the application of resistance to the trailer and vehicle with relation to one another, they lessen the effects of sudden gusts of wind and sharp turns. To increase friction while driving, stop and turn the adjustment handle a quarter turn in the clockwise direction. Do this repeatedly until your trailer feels secure. They come in three different forms and ought to be utilized in trailers with little tongue weight. Sway control devices are to be fastened to both sides of the trailer hitch for trailers weighing more than 5000 pounds.

5. If you can, stay out of windy areas. Here are some recommendations for safe driving in these conditions if you can’t.

  • Do not slam on the brakes when experiencing trailer sway; instead, gradually reduce speed.
  • Hold the wheel steady.
  • avoid making sharp bends and don’t try to steer yourself out of a sway.
  • Avoid increasing the speed because the severity of trailer wobble increases with speed.
  • To lessen sway, simply use the trailer brakes.
  • Stop and consider what is causing the sway. If you are aware that your trailer has a swaying issue, it is not a good idea to drive it.

Safety on the road should be your top priority when carrying loads weighing thousands of pounds. Things can quickly turn sour depending on the status and make-up of your trailer and the ideal circumstances. Keep these suggestions in mind if you experience trailer sway, and drive safely.

What is included in the Toyota tow package?

Towing hitch receiver, 4.300 rear axle ratio, integrated trailer brake controller, TOW/HAUL Mode switch, transmission fluid temperature gauge, additional engine oil cooler, additional transmission cooler, heavy-duty battery, 170-amp alternator, and 4/7-pin connector are all included in the tow package.

What is the tow package for the Toyota Tacoma?

The Toyota Tacoma’s maximum 6,800-pound towing capacity cannot be attained without the Tow Package. These tow-specific traits consist of: a trailer wiring-equipped class IV receiver hitch. a neatly positioned 4/7-pin connector inside the three-piece bumper.

Does a Toyota Tacoma haul well?

Six trim levels are available for the new Toyota Tacoma, the majority of which feature a basic towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is sufficient to tow a small trailer, two ATVs, or a light boat. The SR5 and TRD Sport grades can tow a maximum of 6,800 pounds with any Tacoma. That will support a large boat, a mid-sized trailer, or even an additional automobile. Here is a list of the standard and maximum towing weights for each of the six trims:

  • SR: 3500 pounds/6800 pounds
  • SR5: 3500 pounds/6800 pounds
  • 3500 lbs. / 6800 lbs. TRD Sport
  • 3500 lbs. / 6500 lbs. TRD Off-Road
  • Limitations: 3500 lbs. and 6600 lbs.
  • 3500 lbs. / 6400 lbs. TRD Pro

Should sway bars be taken off when backing up?

Question:

This item clearly states that backing is not permitted. When backing the trailer, do you need to remove the weight distribution bars or just the sway system?

Expert Reaction:

When using the Pro Series weight distribution system # 49570 with friction sway control bar # 83660, you would simply need to disengage/remove the sway control bar to be able to back up. You could leave it on if you were backing up straight forward without turning.

You may use the Fastway system # FA94-00-1061, which is likewise capable of supporting 1,000 pounds of tongue weight and includes built-in sway control, for not much extra money. With it, you would never have to turn off the sway control when reversing (turning or not).

For your convenience, I’ve provided some links on weight distribution and estimating tongue weight.

Why are you unable to reverse with a hitch for weight distribution?

You mentioned that I shouldn’t use a weight distribution hitch when going in reverse. That implies NEVER, right? Or may I back up a little to situate the trailer, like in a parking lot or campsite?

I’ll be using a 2003 Yukon XL 3/4 ton to tow an open vehicle trailer with a 6000-pound truck on it.

Reversing is not allowed by some weight distribution systems since it can harm the system. However, it would be acceptable if you were backing up in a straight line. But in order to steer the trailer while backing up, you would need to disengage the spring bars and/or the friction sway control mechanism, like per model # PS49582.

This restriction is not applicable to some systems, such as the Blue Ox Sway Pro and Reese Strait-Line systems. If you’re utilizing a weight distribution system without any sway control, backing up shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re making sharp turns (jackknifing the trailer), in which case you should take the spring bars off first.

The overall tongue weight of the setup must be taken into consideration while selecting a weight distribution method. This is computed by adding the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the towing vehicle to the tongue weight of the trailer when it is loaded and ready to haul. I can give you some advice if you can estimate the weight of your entire tongue. For your convenience, I’ve provided some links to information on calculating tongue weight and weight distribution.

Reduces sway the weight distribution hitch?

  • trailer’s total weight (GTW) Weight of a trailer as a whole (includes cargo)
  • Weight that bears down on the hitch is referred to as tongue weight (TW), and it comprises weight behind the back axle of the towing vehicle as well as weight at the front of the trailer.

Multiple issues can arise from a ratio of GTW to TW that is out of balance. The trailer hitch sinks or dives when TW (about 10-15% of the gross trailer weight) is excessively high relative to GTW. Insufficient TW causes the trailer hitch to rise. The likelihood of trailer sway, in which the trailer sways from left to right as it is being towed behind the car, is also increased by this weight disparity.

Benefits of a Weight Distribution Hitch

Over a regular hitch, a weight distribution hitch has a number of advantages, including:

  • even distribution of weight (Up-and-down motion)
  • reduces the chance of swaying (Side-to-side motion)
  • boosts the ability to haul a trailer
  • Increased vehicle control
  • a smoother ride
  • less deterioration of your trailer and vehicle
  • safer steering and braking

How It Works

A weight distribution hitch, also known as a “load equalizing hitch,” performs exactly what its name impliesit distributes your payload’s weight evenly. It functions by distributing the weight of the trailer tongue to the trailer and vehicle axles utilizing tension-adjustable spring bars.

Sway Control

Weight distribution hitches have extra characteristics that aid in controlling sway. Sway control controls the side-to-side motion of a trailer while better weight distribution lessens the up-and-down motion.

Your trailer may swing back and forth due to external factors like wind and passing vehicles. When traveling at high speeds, this can be risky and hard on your suspension. Weight distribution hitches can be fitted with components that lessen trailer sway and improve the safety of your ride.