I agree. If you're starting with a clean sheet and already own a 3/4 ton shortbed, I'd look at trailers rather than truck campers. The campers that fit a shortbed are awfully small.
The 2500/3500 difference gets over-dramatized on here, the physical difference is usually almost nothing. Some overload springs and a sway bar and you can haul just fine with a 2500, but the short bed limits you to very short campers. I mean, you put the key in the door and you break the front window.
It can be done and there are lots of shortbed camper owners on here. I don't know how happy they would be with three dogs and a few grand kids in there.
You do have a fine trailer puller though!