R1S Towing - Experience or Advice?

[EarlyAdptr]

The R1S User Manual states: "The R1S can tow up to 7,7000 lbs using a weight distributing hitch, and up to 5,000 lbs using a standard hitch."

I've been hauling my 6,500 lb (boat + trailer) around using a Toyota Sequoia with a standard hitch. Other than this I have very little tow-driving experience. The Toyota has plenty of towing capacity to handle the boat and trailer.

I'm not familiar with a "weight distribution hitch" other than internet research.

Can anyone opine on if I need a weight-distributing hitch? Does anyone have experience with the R1S towing something around 6,500 pounds with a standard hitch?

Sponsored

 

[monzarottie]

Even though the R1S will likely be super stable with the weight of the battery pack and low center of gravity, it's definitely safer to use a weight distribution hitch when towing a trailer in strong cross-winds.

 

[crashmtb]

The R1S User Manual states: "The R1S can tow up to 7,7000 lbs using a weight distributing hitch, and up to 5,000 lbs using a standard hitch."

I've been hauling my 6,500 lb (boat + trailer) around using a Toyota Sequoia with a standard hitch. Other than this I have very little tow-driving experience. The Toyota has plenty of towing capacity to handle the boat and trailer.

I'm not familiar with a "weight distribution hitch" other than internet research.

Can anyone opine on if I need a weight-distributing hitch? Does anyone have experience with the R1S towing something around 6,500 pounds with a standard hitch?

What’s the tongue weight of your trailer+ boat?

that’s the important part

 

[moosehead]

What’s the tongue weight of your trailer+ boat?

that’s the important part

^This. WDH are hugely helpful when tongue weight is beyond spec/heavy.

Similarly, the traditional thinking is that WDH could not be used with swing away tongues, which are used by many boat manufacturers. Some others say this is not the case lately, but it was for many years.

 

[EarlyAdptr]

What’s the tongue weight of your trailer+ boat?

that’s the important part

Thanks for the feedback / input.

How do I determine the tongue weight?

 

[Calvin2518]

Thanks for the feedback / input.

How do I determine the tongue weight?

This video was a great watch and had some great tips for towing. Worth a watch in my opinion.

 

[crashmtb]

Thanks for the feedback / input.

How do I determine the tongue weight?

With a scale. There are several methods.
https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-parts/couplers/learn-more

You can also get ball mounts with a built in scale. I haven’t used one, but they look pretty neat.
https://www.weigh-safe.com/ball-mounts/

 

[EarlyAdptr]

With a scale. There are several methods.
https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-parts/couplers/learn-more

You can also get ball mounts with a built in scale. I haven’t used one, but they look pretty neat.
https://www.weigh-safe.com/ball-mounts/

That of course makes SO much sense! Thank you.

BTW ... i should have mentioned I'm not trailering this boat very far. About 20 miles total a few times each year (put in / out of storage).

 

[Madsen203]

That of course makes SO much sense! Thank you.

BTW ... i should have mentioned I'm not trailering this boat very far. About 20 miles total a few times each year (put in / out of storage).

I wouldn’t sweat it over 20 miles. 200 is a different story.

 

[Zoidz]

One more consideration in addition to tongue weight - how much cargo are you going to haul in the back of the R1S? It's not tongue weight per se, but it will have a very similar net effect in adding weight at the rear of the vehicle.

WDH helps distribute the load evenly, effectively shifting some of the weight back to the trailer axle. It also helps to avoid taking weigth off the front axle which can reduce steering control. This can happen when going over larger bumps. The trailer bounces down hard on the hitch, leveraging weight off the front axle.

For me, if it is 20 miles of good roads, I would not bother with a WDH in this circumstance. I see lots of boats on trailers where I boat, and I see very few WDH.

 

[jollyroger]

Although I've seen people bend over backwards to figure out how to put a WDH on a boat trailer. I tend to question the methods that have been done to do so. The pole tongue that boats use don't really lend themselves to using WDH. When i bought our new trailer they recommended against it, but the also made sure the boat was pretty balanced. That said be careful how much gear you put in the boat. you can mess up the balance.

Boat trailers and WDH seem to be a polarizing topic in the interwebs. In the end I followed the manufactures recommendation.

 

[supernu8]

Typical boat trailers have a surge brakes which can't be used with a normal WDH. Not sure there are many dealers out there that even supply this option on new trailers. I wouldn't be concerned with a 20 mile tow, especially if the trailer setup handles well on your Sequoia. Handling should be as good or better with the Riv.

Basic trailer safety is more important here since you don't use it often - verify the brakes, brake lines, tires, and lights are all in good shape and everything is strapped down.

If you want to be extra cautious, or if you are unsure if the dealer or previous owner ever hade the trailer setup right, you can measure your actual tongue weight vs the trailer manufacturer recommendation and adjust the axles to get it adjusted properly.

Source: AR210 & Dual axle trailer @4500lbs+ previously towed with Titan on 70mi round trips to the Chesapeake. Haven't had the R1T for boating season yet.

 

[EarlyAdptr]

May 2023 - bumping to see if there's been any experience out there towing boats.....

As a refresher, I'm planning on using my R1S to tow my 6,500 pound boat about 20-30 miles to get serviced an put in water. I haven't determined tongue weight yet but I will - but I have towed in the past with a Toyota Sequoia with NO problems.

Anyone out there try towing a 6,500 pound load with an R1S. Still investigating if I need a weight distribution hitch.

Scott

 

[electruck]

May 2023 - bumping to see if there's been any experience out there towing boats.....

As a refresher, I'm planning on using my R1S to tow my 6,500 pound boat about 20-30 miles to get serviced an put in water. I haven't determined tongue weight yet but I will - but I have towed in the past with a Toyota Sequoia with NO problems.

Anyone out there try towing a 6,500 pound load with an R1S. Still investigating if I need a weight distribution hitch.

Scott

Might seem crazy but this is actually addressed in the R1S Owner's Guide.

 

[EarlyAdptr]

Maybe even sillier, sometimes owners manuals are conservative and don't fit every situation (e.g., difference towing a boat 4 hours on open highway vs 20 minutes at slower speeds).

Maybe even crazier, if one actually read the opening post, let alone the entire (short) thread, and you would have seen the owner's manual referenced - IN THE VERY FIRST SENTANCE!!!

But really, thanks for the helpful heads up. So helpful.

Sponsored