Alternatives for Trailer Hitches That Do Not Allow for the Use of a Weight Distribution System

Question:

Not interested in that much modifying the vehicle springs but the anti sway shock seems good. It says "does not allow backing up" though and sooner or later I am going to. I don't want to have to step out of the car to detach something to do that. Will I be able to back up, or will this overextend or compress the bar too much? Since I have you, might as well ask which of youir wireless brake activators you recommend. I am going to use the power port in the car for it and don't want to mount it although if there is a cell phone mount that would work that would be fine. Also am going to get a wireless back up camera (or to see how many cars I am holding up) so if there is a combined unit that would be cool.

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

I do have ways to help with trailer sway and vehicle sag on your 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan but none of the trailer hitch receivers they have for your vehicle are compatible with a weight distribution system. Load leveling is what Volkswagen calls what we refer to as weight distribution.

A weight distribution system is never going to be required however, if the gross trailer weight (GTW) of your trailer is more than 50% of the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle, the use of a weight distribution system is recommended but not required. Although your trailer hitch is not rated for weight distribution, I have two products that will essentially take its place.

In order to help support the added tongue weight from the trailer on your vehicle which will in turn level the load across the axles, I recommend using the Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs part # F4176. The coil-rite airbags install inside your vehicle's coil springs and are adjustable meaning you can adjust the level of support/leveling needed.

In order to combat trailer sway you will need to add a friction style sway bar like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit part # 83660. The sway control bar attaches to your ball mount and trailers a-frame. The sway control bar will then limit the amount of side to side movement (sway) that can occur with your trailer while in motion. The only other item you will need to install this kit on your trailer is a mounting tab for the ball mount for which I recommend using the Reese Sway-Control Bracket part # RP26003.

I have attached a review video of the sway bar and airbags for you to take a look at as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

Jeff

12/31/2017

Conner L.

12/31/2017

The Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs part # F4176 do not require any modifications to the factory suspension to be made. All you need to do for installation is stuff the airbags inside the coil springs and then route the airlines to an easy, accessible location. If your trailer has a heavy tongue then this option should not be overlooked. In reference to the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit part # 83660, as long as the trailer is straight while in reverse you will not need to disengage the sway bar. The problem occurs when you are backing up at an angle as this presents too much stress on the bar which would likely cause damage to the unit. The best wireless brake controller we have for you is the Curt Echo # C51180. In order to install this controller you will first need a 7-way trailer connector at the rear of your Tiguan if you do not already have one. For this, I recommend using the Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole part # 37185 which will also require a 4-pole connector if one is not already in place such as part # 118675 (plug and play). For a wireless backup camera that will work well for you, I recommend the Rear View Safety Wireless Backup Camera System part # RVS-091406. The RVS camera system comes with a 4.3" color LCD monitor and a 130 degree camera with night vision technology. I have linked a review video of the RF brake controller and RVS backup camera for you as well.