Thanks, all, for your comments. I followed all the links that were provided. My impression is that all suggestions other than Grit Dog's would result in a significantly heavier and/or bulkier rig and would likely be rather expensive as well. So I'm trying to follow up on Grit Dog's suggestion, which sounds like the best bet for significant improvement. I tried Googling for info on 2003..2008 F150s with a long bed (8') and auto transmission. I'm not sure I need 4x4; it might be unneeded complexity and expense and maintenance, etc. But I'll consider that option. Maybe there are better, more cost-effective makes for the years in question. I don't know. Are there any stunning "performers" (cost-effective-wise and easy to maintain with decent power, etc) for those years from a "Consumer Reports" point of view? My present 1988 F150 2WD with 5.0L engine seems to have all the power and traction I need, but it gets 10 mpg (with cab-over camper). I suppose a more recent truck could do significantly better on gas mileage.
My googling for info resulted in a lot of "captcha" games apparently from Google.com. Googling for highly relevant info is complicated enough without Google adding to the complications. Apparently, Google suspects that I am a robot.
And Lwiddis, I live in the Mojave. So I need to adapt to the climate here or perhaps find a really good job in a "better" location.
