Husky Hitch - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Husky Hitch

TheHarveys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nothing wrong with a Husky hitch. What are you towing and what are you towing it with?

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

We will be towing a 2009 37' Montana with a 2004 F350 Ford LWB Dually Deisel Power Stroke Turbo Charge Truck. We will be slightly overweight until we have a chance to do some upgrades to our truck, like change the rear axel gears from 4:10 to 4:30 which will upgrade the truck to 2005 tow capacity. We are also going to install a Banks Engine Brake System on it.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

You may want to try it first before investing in the brake system. We're towing 17,000# with our F350 with the 4:30 rear and we have no problems with mountain passes.
FWIW

DagoRanch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fred makes a good point. Before you do ANYTHING to your tow vehicle, even the gears... run with it and determine for yourself how the truck handles, feels and stops. Let that be your determining factor in the upgrades you do, or don't do.

That's all I'm going to say for fear of the weight police hunting me down

2fortheroad · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree that you might test your vehicle the way it is, you can add options as needed.

As far as the engine brake, it was a option that came out as standard equipment in 2007 with Dodges 6.7. I use it empty and loaded and am inpressed how well it works. Hopeing that it will extend the Brake life.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like Fred said. Use it like it is for a bit. I think you will find the 4:10 gear will be fine. I know for a fact the transmission will do well in Tow/Haul mode. My 2004 keeps speed under control going downhill by locking the torque converter and downshifting as needed. Just tap the brakes and it goes to work. Torqueshift is a great transmission.

By the way, no change you make to the truck will change the "official GVWR" on the door post. Now, I go away before the weight police come get me.

-- Edited by 53 Merc on Monday 17th of May 2010 07:11:26 AM

Howard · Host

Well, since the title of this thread is "Husky Hitch", I'll chime in on that. biggrin

We have a 24K double pivot Husky Hitch and love it. It's a good quality hitch and, with teamwork between Linda & I, hitching couldn't be easier. It takes seconds.

I don't think the Husky hitches are anything but "double pivot" but check that out. I would highly recommend a double pivot hitch over a static hitch.

Of course, if money is no object, I've heard nothing but rave reviews about air hitches and haven't found anyone yet that regretted spending the extra cash on one. They will be anywhere from double to quadruple the cost of a good quality non-air hitch.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I started with the Huskey 5th wheel hitch and had no issues. When we upgraded from a Everest 343L similar to the Montana to a Cambridge 358 I also upgraded to a Trailer Saver air ride hitch (TS 3). The best upgrade I ever did. Just the name tells the story, and it does reduce a lot of stress on the 5er. I did upgrade again, I now have a Trailer Saver TSLB2H 32,000 lb capacity my Pin weight is 4,200 lbs. Also with the TS 3 it fits in most standard bed rails, Huskey/Valley or Reese etc. I used the TS 3 on 4 different Trucks. Yes the Trailer Saver is more expensive but your 5th wheel is expensive also, so why not let it ride on Air.

As for upgrades there is nothing you can do to increase the towing or Pin weight capacity of the Truck by adding gadgets. You can add feel good things but the numbers want increase. As for the rear gear change, I don't think it would be cost effective. With the 4.10 rear gear your RPMs will increase and you will burn more fuel. GM uses a 3.73 rear gear and it works great. Ford is using 4.30 in a lot of their Trucks. A lot has to do with the Transmission!! I for sure would try the 4.30 for awhile. You can control a lot of the weight issues as to how you load the 5er. GBY....