Been looking a lot at 3/4 and 1 tons. One truck was a 2014 GMC 3500HD cloth duramax with a payload sticker of 3977 lb! The GVWR was 11500. Another I checked out was an F350 XLT 6.2 crew 8' bed and the payload sticker was 3880. For a diesel, the GM's are relatively light.
Also, the F250 with camper package definitely appears to be the ticket if you get a 250. It sits high, with a 2" rake like a 350 and has the same springs and includes a rear sway bar. It's a $160 option and is much better value than paying the extra $900 for the 350 base price. Combine the camper package with the 18" A/T or 20's and you have the same hardware as a 350. I have a hard time paying $900 for an F350 door sticker.
One thing that I really don't like about the base F250's is that they sit perfectly level. Hook up the 5th and you are sure to look funny with the rear sagging. Doesn't make much sense to me on a HD truck. My F150HD bed rails are 57.5" high. F250 are 54.5-55" high and the F350 are around 57.5-58. Don't even need a tailgate step with the 250:) A gas GM 2500HD was around 57".
