Unfortunately, as someone living in NYS, I ended up buying a stripped down F250 6.2L regular cab, 2WD truck to avoid the commercial registration requirement but still be able to pull my 8,800 lb trailer. I use the parkways a lot during my normal commuting so it was the only way around getting a 3/4 ton truck that didn't need to be registered as commercial without doing the modifications referenced by the OP. It's under the 6,000 pound limit (5,672 lbs) but I had to sacrifice the extra seating in an extended cab, 4WD and certain creature comforts. For some (if you're travelling with wife ADD kids) this wouldn't be an option. All the other F250's or Ram/Chevy 2500's I've seen on the parkways have a hard shell topper and probably something that is considered camping equipment in the bed of the truck.
