There's always the option of casting a wide net and buying a used truck and camper already assembled into a unit. That means truck with camper already on. This will save a lot of grief and upgrade time as the former owner probably had to add beefier suspension parts to haul the load. Several on this forum have gone this route. I've seen these around, and if you can find the one that fits your style and budget you could suffer many happy years of truck camping. A wide net is basically 1K miles; a half pie, mostly to the south, SE, and SW in your case.
As with many neophytes, I see the ultimate change in paradigm from, "my 1/2 ton with that BIG Ford 9" rear end can haul anything" school to, "I gotta have more truck". (aka: bigger brakes; heftier frame; heftier axles, bearings and housings; appropriate suspension parts; sturdier transmission/transfer case/drivetrain parts.) It all keeps you away from the edge of overloading.
jefe
