I have a 2001 Ford F250 Extended cab with a 8ft bed. It was built to tow a travel trailer. The rear end is the same as a 1 ton single wheel truck. Only difference really is the suspension. I had a cabover camper at the time. I added the Helwing progressive helper springs on the rear. Added a transmission cooler with a real gauge.
In 2006 when I retired I bought a Carriage 5th wheel. Fully loaded on the truck scale it weighs a little over 14,700lbs. Of that is a little over 3100lbs hitch weight. SO I have 11,600lbs on the tires. I have a diamond plate toolbox behind the cab with a generator in it. It is called a Genbox. I have a 25k Airsafe hitch which takes a fork lift to put it in the truck if you assemble it out of the truck. In front of the tail gate I have a 37 gallon extra fuel tank. When I am hitched up and you look at the truck sideways it is still a fraction above level. This year I have been towing that 5th wheel for 13 years and have not had a problem. In fact I think if I matched my truck up against a 2001 1 ton single wheel and loaded both truck beds up. The 1 ton would sink below level before my truck would. So work with what you have and save thousands of dollars.
