I totally understand. If Chevrolet still offered that 1500HD, I would suggest it. Just don't think you are going to save a lot of headaches if you take a typical half ton and add suspension improvements, upgraded tires etc. It will never be an F-250. The F-150HD already has that stuff and should do fine for what you want. It is more closely related to the F-250 than it is to the average F-150 and the owners brag that the ecoboost engine will pull a freight train while getting unbelievable mileage when not towing. I am still curious as to what the dealers want for the HD F-150 versus a F-250?
