Trailer Hitch and ball?

[dustin]

Hello,

We are so excited!
My wife and I just purchased a new 2017 AS Serenity 23’. With that we just purchased a 2017 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4 5.7 Liter engine.

Question: what do we need to hook up our AS trailer to the Tundra?

Thanks!

[NoResults]

I have the same trailer as you only a 2016. I had an Equilizer hitch installed at the dealer when I purchased the trailer. It was about 650.00 installed. Had worked perfectly. PS They are the number selling hitch if that tells you anything.

There are several threads here on the forum regarding hitches.

Dave

[cwf]

Originally Posted by dustin

Hello,

We are so excited!
My wife and I just purchased a new 2017 AS Serenity 23’. With that we just purchased a 2017 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4 5.7 Liter engine.

Question: what do we need to hook up our AS trailer to the Tundra?

Thanks!

Congratulations! Your question is a great one! There are tens of thousands of posts in this forum “discussing “ this very topic. What follows is my best answer, repeated elsewhere on this forum...

There are many factors to consider... and although our EZY hitch worked great, these things are a blend of “personal choice” for what you are comfortable using. You will want some brand of “weight distribution” (WD) hitch. There are many others than EZY... your dealer will gladly oblige the money you want to spend.

There are many YouTube videos by many hitch manufacturers... there are also instructional and educational videos about the basics for the WD hitching system... also “sway control”...

[Jamespio]

Originally Posted by dustin

Hello,

We are so excited!
My wife and I just purchased a new 2017 AS Serenity 23’. With that we just purchased a 2017 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4 5.7 Liter engine.

Question: what do we need to hook up our AS trailer to the Tundra?

Thanks!

Your question leaves out a lot of information that would help people answer you more precisely.

The simplest answer is that you need (1) a hitch receiver mounted to the frame of your Tundra; (2) a seven blade connector tied into the truck wiring and mounted near the hitch receiver; (3) a brake controller; (4) a hitch (meaning anything from a simple ball mount with the appropriate sized ball to a full blown weight distributing, anti sway hitch system); (5) mirror extensions.

Much of this may already be built into your Tundra, depending on which package options you chose. But it may not. Also, I'm probably forgetting things since I'm just an amateur.

If you really wanted the forum's help digging into this, you should tell us what equipment your Tundra already has, and where, how far and how often you intend to tow the trailer. With that info, the folks here will gladly bury you in recommendations for particular equipment.

[dustin]

Appreciate all the advice!
I need to check my Tundra Manuel and get back to y’all.

[Bobbo]

When I bought my trailer, the dealer was throwing in a Fastway E2 hitch (similar to Equal-I-Zer, but not as robust) as part of the deal. I came home and did some research then called and told the dealer to deep six the Fastway and get me a Reese Strait-Line hitch with built in Dual Cam, even if I had to pay for it. Best decision I ever made. Both WD and sway control.

My truck had a factory built-in brake controller already.

[dustin]

I’m a total novice at this! Appreciate the wonderful stories and comments. Please keep them coming!

[PKI]

Dustin - this thread section has a lot of hitch information. Research is your best way to develop the knowledge you need to make good decisions.

The following is a brief summary of several brands. Do your own investigation.

Hitches - the Easy-Lift is an inexpensive hitch (~$300) that will work well. The weight distribution bars transfer weight, but are flexible when transitioning driveways. You can add two disk brake type control struts to manage sway. Andy reports that the shank is now cast iron and should be replaced with steel. You may also want to redrill the pin hole to reduce overhang which also helps control sway.

The Equalizer is too stiff when transitioning driveways and it can be noisy when turning. It does work and controls sway. You will find many folks who like the design. The ease of hookup is an advantage. It is more expensive at $5-600. There is a rather large thread that discusses the benefits.

The Reese dual cam and Blue Ox are alternatives that provide some flexibility when transitioning dips and bumps. The dual cam works quite well, but care should be taken to insure proper adjustment. The Blue Ox is easier to setup, but may not transfer enough weight for your preference. Price similar to EQ for both.

The best hitches are the Hensley and Propride pivot point projection hitches. The disadvantage is they cost $2-3000. The advantage is that they prevent sway from starting. The hitch geometry does not allow the coach to rotate from side to side. The tow vehicle can rotate to make turns. The other down side is it weighs about double what other hitch weigh. Not a problem unless your tongue weight capacity is an issue. Most folks leave the PPP hitches installed on the trailer and just let the shank slide out of the TV receiver. See manufacturer's videos to better understand how this works.

Lots of personal opinion. Research and develop your own. Pat

[dustin]

Lots of valuable information. Appreciate the detailed information!

[Rgentum]

Dustin: A great review by PKI.

My own experience: My local AS dealer recommended a Blue Ox, which is what I got, and I've had no problems with it and so far don't see the benefit in getting anything else. If $$$ were no problem, I might "invest" in a ProPride (at perhaps 5X the cost of a Blue Ox), which has many advocates on this Forum.

PKI suggests that a Blue Ox may not transfer sufficient weight. Its weight transfer ability should depend on the type of its transfer bars. I and many others on this Forum use 1,000 lb bars, which have worked for me. More weight should be able to be transferred with stronger transfer bars, and I believe the next ones up in the Blue Ox line are 1,500 bars, which some on this Forum use.

[m.hony]

I have an Equal-i-zer with 1,200# bars for my Tundra and Classic 30.
If I could afford a ProPride I would go that route.
The dealer where you purchased the trailer should steer you in the right direction and get you ready to tow.

[cazual6]

Nothing missing the obvious: A hitch receiver on the TV.

[xrvr]

Never state the obvious, it confuses some.

[dustin]

My Airstream dealer which is located near San Francisco California wants $1,100.00 for the Blue Ox Or Equalizer tow hitch. Is this a good price?

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by dustin

My Airstream dealer which is located near San Francisco California wants $1,100.00 for the Blue Ox Or Equalizer tow hitch. Is this a good price?

Find another "Stealer".

[gypsydad]

Get a WDH with Anti Sway for sure. There are at least 5 good ones out there that this Forum has reported on...with lots of "experts" also hereto give you their 3 cents of experience!

Over the last 12 years, I have used the Reese, the Equalizer, and currently have the BlueOx Sway Pro. The Reese was fine; the Equalizer was used, and broke when I was backing up shortly after I got it. This is my 3rd Blue Ox and my 4th AS. The Blue Ox works very well when set up properly. As others recommend, look at the videos, talk with your dealer, and you should be fine. There are several Youtube videos like this one to help you understand how these hitches work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLDhAYw943U

[dustin]

Thank you for the advice GD...You sound like an AIRSTREAM old pro!

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by dustin

Appreciate all the advice!
I need to check my Tundra Manuel and get back to y’all.

Since you have the 5.7 engine, I think you'll have the tow package. (I have a 2015 and it did).
So you'll have the 7 pin receptacle on the back, but may or may not have a built in brake controller. (I didn't, but I did have wiring right there behind the dash, so it was plug and play.) I bought an Equalizer hitch, and it's been just fine.
Others will have other suggestions. You will need a weight distribution hitch of some kind, as it takes some tongue weight and moves it to the front axle. It also provides sway control.

Originally Posted by dustin

My Airstream dealer which is located near San Francisco California wants $1,100.00 for the Blue Ox Or Equalizer tow hitch. Is this a good price?

NO! You can buy a new Equalizer hitch off Amazon for $475. I bought mine through Craig's list for $150. The only snag in buying your own hitch is the dealer won't want to install it. (Your dealer is charging you $625 for 1 hour labor.) It's not rocket surgery. I'd say dealer installed for $600-700 total would be fair.

Between Equalizer's web site and YouTube videos you can be a hitch expert.

[PKI]

Google the cost of the Blue Ox hitch. Figure out how long it takes the dealer to install and use their labor rate ($165/hr?) to see if it's a good deal. What is included? Brake controller setup and TV recognition of LED tail/brake lights? Shank swap if it's too short? Toyota specific details if applicable?

Two dealers near SF Bay. BAAA in Fairfield and Toscono's in Los Banos. There is also Vinnie's (independant AS specialist) who may be able to help.

To install, the rotary chain locks clamp in place. The ball needs to be torqued and two bolts need to be torqued to position the head on the shank. The shank may not have enough holes if your TV is high and require a swap out.

Good luck with your research. Pat

[dustin]

Thanks a million for all the wonderful advice! I’m still researching and calling all the local truck stores to buy and install the hitch ball, hitch mount and the shank for my new 2017 Toyota Tundra 4X4. My wife and I are so excited to finally getting our new 2017 Airstream International Serenity 23’ ready for our first weekend getaway. Yay!!!