You'll have no issues. I use an equalizer 4pt WDH no reason to waste money on something more expensive. I've got 20,000 miles on this combo and safe to say not a single white-knuckle moment even in 25 MPH cross winds. But unlike others who do have white knuckle moments I never tow faster than 65mph, 60 with strong crosswinds, and keep the tongue weight between 14-16%. MPG I average 9-10.

 

I would look at the Pro Pride or Hensley. Same design, the Pro Pride as some updates. The Pro Pride also moves the TT back farther to I can easily open the tailgate while hitched up now.
They are very expensive, I got mine used through facebook marketplace.
I liked my Blue Ox sway pro before I got this. I never knew it could be so much better.
A heavier truck would help a lot, however I had a chevy 2500 and my wife and I both hated it. So we down sized the truck then had to downsize the TT.

As someone else mentioned having 14-15% tongue weight would help a lot, if you have the payload for it and if you can shift enough weight forward. There is only so much you can move around in a TT.

 

The weakest link is the 1600 lbs payload. With a WDH you're going to put 1100-1200 lbs on the tongue leaving only 400-500 lbs payload for the driver, passengers and cargo in the truck. Technically it will pull it, you just can't carry anyone, or anything else in the truck and stay under the GVWR. A lot of F150's have 1800+ lbs of payload and give you a little more room to work with.

FWIW, I know a lot of people who would still load up the truck with 1000 lbs of passengers and gear and be 400-500 lbs over and they are OK with that.

An 8000 lb trailer is borderline F250 territory. The F250 won't necessarily pull a heavier trailer any better, but they have enough payload to handle an 8000-10,000 lb trailer AND still load up the truck with people and gear. Most F150 will pull the weight, but you have to do it with an empty truck

 

How will the 5.0 do compared to the 3.5?

 

Theyll do about the same. 3.5 EB will do better in elevations.

 

Would you recommend the 3.5 or the 5.0?

 

Have you driven either/both? The 3.5 is more powerful and will be more “relaxed” at a lower RPM. It’s less a question of which is better and more the type of experience you want.

 

You started this thread asking if your 3.5 EB could tow XX. Are you buying something new?

 

IMO an 8000# TT will have (or should have) more than the 12% tongue weight number you quote (960#). I have a 2020 Lariat, max tow, shorter bed, and it would be on my very uncomfortable side. You did not mention TT length, but in general shorter wheel base trucks don't play as nice as the longer wheel base trucks with a longer TT. There are many variables in this decision, your travels are they hilly? Your weights, and payload are they scaled or best guess?