smokeywren

Husky makes cheap hitches, as well as the very good CenterLine. If your hitch is a CenterLine, then you probably don't need a better WD hitch, you just need to properly adjust the Centerline. But most Husky WD hitches are the cheap version that are barely adequate.


The 500-1000 lbs means the hitch is designed to handle tongue weight of between 500 and 1,000 pounds. If the tongue weight is more than 1,000 pounds, then you need a hitch with heavier-duty spring bars.


If you buy a new hitch, be sure to pay a bit extra and get a good one. The good ones include Reese StraitLine, Blue Ox SwayPro, and Equal-I-Zer. Reese also makes cheap hitches, so be sure if you order a Reese it is the StraitLine.

wheelspinner

I have a 14' STX with the 3.7 and 3.55 gears. My trailer is a 6x10 closed utility trailer I bought at Home Depot (I'm sure you have seen them). This trailer weighs 900 lb empty. I put 2500 lb in the trailer and I run I-10 in Florida and at 65 MPH all this thing does is shift, shift, shift. Sometimes all the way down to 4th. MPG stays at 12 or maybe 12.5 and it rings its little tail. The max capacity on this short bed STX is 5500 lb. If I ever hook up to that I'll need a pusher.

I love this truck but it is not a tower in any since of the word. No trailer I stay at 23 and 24 MPG but hook up and it cries all the way home wee, wee, wee.

If I had it to do again I'd get the 5.0 and call it a win/win.

grss429

I would suggest a tuner as well with a tow tune for more power

Mattwrotethis

Wrong gear in the rear end, not the wrong engine. Mine stays in 6th almost the entire time at 65mph, even with a full load of scrap metal, only downshifting to 5th if the incline is steep or 4th if I punch it, and I get 15-17mpg towing. (Same as I get when not towing at 70mph, coincidentally.)

Dirttracker18

Something is wrong with that truck. The Eco has far more torque than the 5.0L and should not even notice that trailer behind you, even with the 3:55 gears.

doctorschlachter

He does not have the Eco. 3.7L NA.

Ricktwuhk

Towing capacity on paper is not relevant. Read the Payload capacity off your sticker on the driver's door. Payload is the determinant. Not only will you not get close to 11,100, you won't get close to 9,000. Or 8,000...

Dirttracker18

My bad, no wonder he seems to lack power, cause he does.

Under 300 ft/lb of torque and just over 300 hp. Yes it will hunt gears like crazy.

11screw50

On anything before '15, you're right, payload, payload, payload. '15+ you need to look at payload and GCVWR (at least with the 5.0 and 3.5EB). I can easily hook up a 9100# trailer and be under payload but as soon as I get in the truck I'll be over GCVWR.

payload - 1818, 9,100lb trailer at 13% tongue weight is 1183, 100lb for WDH is 1283. Leaves me 535lb under payload but the truck weighs 5182lb so 5182+9100+100=14382 and GCVWR is only 14,400. (I know, max trailer weight is with a wagon type trailer, no weight on the truck).

Realistically, I could be at 8500lb and be under both payload and GCVWR with the truck at GVWR.

130428

maybe locking out 6th would be a good start
300 tq / 300 hp is more than SDs of not long ago, and certainly more than F150s of times even closer to us.