Lots of good advice has been given. I am going to add also look where you will be towing. I see you are in California. Are you going to be sticking to the costal camping or are you going to be going high into the Sierra’s? NA Gas engines loose about 1-3% power for every 1000 feet of elevation.
I just recently upgraded form a 2000 1500 to a new 2500 both gas. The towing experience is night and day different. I also have a longer wheel base. The minimum I would look at is the F150 EB with Max Payload. But with the price of one of those you can get into a very nicely equipped 250/2500-350/3500. My 2500 is my DD.
