New 400 and new Toyota Highlander re: sway bar

TwoRoamers · July 2022

Hi all. Moved form our 2014 T@B clamshell up to a 2021 400. Just got home from maiden voyage in the Adirondacks and noticed some sway; a little scary. TV handles the pulling well, but the sway is concerning since we are heading west in a few weeks with big trucks and mountains...oh my 😒. I need to check a few things on the hitch and distribution, but the tongue weight seems ok and the heavy things in the TV were stowed ahead of the wheels, but the TV seemed to go down a few inches and sets at 18-19 inches....too low I know. TV pulls 5000#'s and has a 500# tow bar with installed OEM hitch. I'm opting for a sway and leveling device and our T@B dealer sells them; the Fastway E2. Any insights into the issues and experience/opinions with the Fastway. Thanks.

manyman297 · July 2022

I tow with a 2020 Tacoma and I opted for a simple friction sway bar. $60 and it really does make a huge difference. I don’t think weight distribution is recommended/needed for the 400 but I’ll let others weigh in.

TABNewbies · July 2022

2016 Highlander and a fraction sway bar (eaz lift sway control) has worked fine

JamesC · July 2022

I I’ve been using a friction sway bar on my 400 since 2019 with no issues and I often have to drive on I 5! No sway even with semi’s going by.

kbdigitiqe · July 2022

can y’all post a link to a simple friction sway bar that you like pls and thanks

TABNewbies · July 2022

Hi @kbdigitiqe, here you are from me, it was fitted by the dealer (as it was our first caravan) but would be relatively DIY to bolt to the frame and need to buy the hitch to take the second ball.

https://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48380-Right-Passenger-Control/dp/B007HRIVMI/ref=asc_df_B007HRIVMI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312094794632&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9078585859326872945&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001953&hvtargid=pla-448890900190&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60223452937&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312094794632&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9078585859326872945&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001953&hvtargid=pla-448890900190

TwoRoamers · July 2022

Thanks all. Had the Fastway E2 put on by the dealer. Towed home one hour drive and it worked well. Felt much steadier. Will test on a longer trip soon. Thanks again for the input.

MarkAl · July 2022

I suspect other factors than just hitch weight limit would play into the need for a sway bar. My 2001 Cherokee and 2015 Grand Cherokee both had similar tow limits but towing with the GC it is much more secure (no sway bar on either). I had a few events where the boost brake was used to calm excessive sway, not pleasant with the older Cherokee.

Deb55 · July 2022

We used the Fastway E2 sway/stabilizer bars when we towed our 400 with a Toyota Highlander. We ended up trading the Highlander for a F150, and we still use the sway bars. The problem seemed more related to towing a 400 with a Highlander than anything else. I think the 400 is just plain too heavy, even though it's within the range that is supposed to work.

Denny16 · July 2022

When towing an RV, you want to stay towards the middle to 85% of,yiurmtow capacity. Whilst my Jeep Gladiator is rated to tow 6500 lbs, I wouldn’t want to tow anything much larger than 4000 lbs. at 450lbs tongue weight (max is 600 lbs). The TaB400 tows just fine, not sure I would try a larger RV.

cheers

TwoRoamers · July 2022

Highlander might just be too light. Plenty of power. T@B 400 plus gear in the TV might just push the limits. The Fastway seems to spread things out better and takes the guess work out of it; still packing behind the 400 wheels and in front of the TV rear wheels. Should balance things out. Maybe I go back to the S model for a towing bedroom.

Thanks again. More to follow on this next trip.

RMo · July 2022

Don't give up yet

We tow with a 2017 Highlander with WDH and friction sway and it drives like a dream. I'm not sure the WDH is necessary, but it's all one unit and it came with our used 400. If you have any issues with just the sway bars, a WDH might help as we've had zero problems with our set up. It would be a bit cheaber than a new TV!

TwoRoamers · July 2022

Thanks for the encouraging words "RMo".... I think we'll be in good shape in spite of the potential overkill. Also helps that we're leaving the kitchen sink behind this time. Off on the big road trip soon.

New 400 and new Toyota Highlander re: sway bar

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