Powerstroke towing newb, got a couple of general questions

[code.mafia]

Ok, getting ready to do my first tow with my Powerstroke 6L. I've got an 8" lift and 37" tires, but still stock gears. I've got tunes from Eric at Innovative for Extreme Race, Extreme Street (my daily driver tune) and a Tow tune.

I've towed lots of stuff before, but never with a PSD or a truck lifted this high and definitely not a diesel (this is my first).

I'm not towing much, a 16' tandem axle trailer on a drop hitch with good brakes and 10 ply tires with a late model Toyota 4Runner on it. Towing the empty trailer 10 hours, about 600+ miles, then picking up the Toyota with some stuff loaded in it, probably a little stuff in the bed of my truck. So shouldn't be too much of a load. Then tow it back 10 hours and 600+ miles. I will be driving across Missouri and a lot of that is very hilly country, even on the interstate.

So what are the do's and dont's?

If I run my Tow tune, do I need to put it in Tow/Haul mode?

Do you keep it out of Overdrive?

Was thinking for the empty tow there that I wouldn't need the Tow tune or tow/haul mode and Overdrive would be fine.

Just want to make sure I don't so something I shouldn't or not do something that I should.

Thanks for the input guys.

[countryraised]

empty use what ever tune you feel like, with the load you talking about use the tow tune and leave it in overdrive unless in some of the hills the truck wants to hunt back and forth between gears then lock out overdrive, but I doubt you will need to. my old 99 can usually pull the trailer in my sig empty in OD and the truck and trailer weigh 15k empty. You might get close to that weight fully loaded but no more.

[code.mafia]

I'm also looking for a drop hitch. What weight or class should I look for? Will 5,000 lbs be enough?

[HaysKSFirefighter]

Originally Posted by code.mafia

I'm also looking for a drop hitch. What weight or class should I look for? Will 5,000 lbs be enough?

A standard hitch you can get at a parts store will suffice. If you want to have adjustability in the future, a b&w hitch can be a good investment. They are a bit pricy though ~$200

[HaysKSFirefighter]

Tow & Stow

[code.mafia]

I was looking at this one. 10" adjustment, $20.

Amazon.com: Grip 10" Adjustable Drop Ball Mount: Everything Else

Amazon.com: Grip 10" Adjustable Drop Ball Mount: Everything Else

[HaysKSFirefighter]

I wouldn't go with a no name brand hitch. Reese would be the cheapest brand I use, honestly. Dont sacrifice safety for a few dollars...a drop hitch that long has to deal with a lot more stress than a standard 2" drop

[code.mafia]

Ok, went by U-Haul today to get measured. I need a 14" drop for this trailer, might squeak by with a 12". Who makes drop hitches that long? Reese only goes to 11". Google search sucks when you need to use ".

[Six0~Stroker]

Yeah with that load I would keep tow/haul on throughout the whole drive

[code.mafia]

I did find this 12" drop hitch. Class IV, 10,000 tow, 2,000 tongue:
Cushioned Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 10-3/4" Rise - 12" Drop - 10,000 lbs Convert-A-Ball Ball Mounts AMSC12