A Little background.
When I bought the 2011 F150 I was searching for a truck with an 8'bed. it was the first one I found (it took 3-4months).
It is a super cab 8'bed 5,0 3.73 axle HDPP. (2200lb payload)
the truck served me very well. I was getting into Dual sport motorcycles and "adventure touring". It's a lot of fun and I went some interesting places. As I was getting older and tired of small tents, I got a 6x12 cargo trailer. it worked great, I could put 1 bike in the truck and 1 in the trailer, and stand up inside. Then I took it down some very long dirt roads and found I do not like towing a trailer for 40-50mi down washboarded dirt roads.
I had seen an Alaskan Camper at one campground and thought it seemed like a good way to be self contained. after much research and going to Overland Expo East. I ordered a FWC Granby Shell, I picked it up Jan. 2018.
the combo did pretty well, I had some wallowing in the rear so I put a set of Firestone air bags on. they helped with that.
I did some small trips near home, and bought a hitch hauler to take a bike with me. I thought it was going to work out well.
Then I stopped and weighed my truck and camper. I only had 800lbs left and didn't have food. water clothes, and 2 large dogs in. there was no way I was going to put 550lbs of motorcycle and carrier 3' off the back bumper.
I made a long trip to Overland Expo West (2019) and toured through New Mexico,Arizona, and Utah.
2020 was a bust for me, I haven't gone anywhere, everything local has been really busy.
I turned 59 this year and had been giving a lot of thought for when I stop working and retire. I decided this is a good time to buy a new truck while I still have income coming in.
I researched trucks, and learned that for me going to a F250 would not give me that much more Payload capacity, I did not like being close or over GVWR. So I decided that I would get a F350. I knew I did not want or need a diesel, and spent much time on different forums to see how the 7.3 gas would do. it seems like it will be a very good engine. I spent way too much time searching for something at a dealer close to what I thought I wanted.
In November I decided to go to a local dealer and order a truck that had what I think I want. 10 weeks later I picked it up.
I ended up with 4800lbs of payload capacity!!!, I was expecting about 4000lb. yes it rides a bit stiff empty, but a couple thousand pounds of camper and gear will settle it down.
The truck came with goodyear wrangler kevlar tires, I do not recommend then, the fill up with mud instantly and do not clean them selves out.I've been using the 4x4 often just on my property
The weather and life is not cooperating with me so I don't have the Eyebolts in the bed yet. so no camper yet.
I have gotten 2 stall mats and fit them in. My longer pllan is to remove the bed and put a CM ALRD flatbed on, and a Buckstop Outback Bumper on the front with Baja design lighting.
It's a cold rainy day here in East TN so I probably will not get the camper on again this weekend.