Hitch Weight: 413 lb.
UVW 3075 lb.
CCC 1238 lb.
Exterior Length: 20' 2"
Exterior Height: 9' 10"
Exterior Width: 92"

Hey Guys,

I was hoping someone can help me out and give me some advice. I'm looking to purchase a Travel Trailer in the next week (information can be seen above). The vehicle i'll be using to pull it is a 2005 LR3 V8. I've read a good number of posts online saying that WDH is not recommended for the LR3 due to the already built in air suspension. I recently just purchased the OEM hitch receiver and now i'm confused as to what hitch i'll be purchasing. I'm worried about the possibility of sway without a WDH. Am I just over thinking the need for a sway controller of some sort since the trailer is light weight? Any insights or recommendations would be very much appreciated.

Would love to hear how people have been towing trailers of the same size.

 

You can run sway control friction bar type without weight distribution hitch.

 

Thank you for the response, do you recommend a specific brand/model?

 

I have both a Husky WD and sway control hitch it is fantastic. However it would be beyond overkill for your trailer. I use that on a large enclosed 14k pound cargo trailer. For a small travel trailer like yours a basic set up from reese or curt would do the trick

 

I have also done the "overthinking" bit.

I have not towed yet, but will be soon with a 3rd gen OEM hitch, OEM wiring, correct rise/rated draw bar/ball, and a tekonsha brake controller.

Your specs above are spot on, and comfortably under the LR3 limits.
I will be towing very similar (almost exact) to the above, with no WDH.
Just like LR recommends.

Adding sway w/o WDH is an option for peace of mind, but I feel that it might not be necessary. Heavier trailers may benefit more (close to or above vehicle weight) - but sway can be stopped with correct techniques of slightly braking trailer only.

Drive safe, use a brake controller, and common sense.
Let us know how it goes!

 

Thank you! I think I'm heading in the direction of using a basic set up first to see how it goes. Do you mind sending me a link to your husky WD and sway control hitch for future reference?

 

We towed a Trail Cruiser 26QBH with an 05 LR3 HSE V8 for 3 years before upgrading TV & TT. Dry 3400LB, 26'11", tongue = ~440. We went with no WDH nor anti sway. @douglastic is 100% correct about ball height and Tek controller. I would add the driver is the biggest safety factor.

It's going back a few years but I recall wiring it up also. The three of us + dog travelled light. We kept the trailer tanks empty, transferred cargo & weight to the trailer from the trunk, and evenly distributed the trailer cargo. The challenge with towing advise is the variables. Start simple / slow / local / safe, evolve from there. We never had an issue, criss-crossing the rockies, Kootenays, and windswept foothills in Alberta, BC, Montana and Idaho.

Luckily you'll never get tired towing as you'll be gassing up frequently! And enjoy fall camping.