Opinions on trucks- full time rv life

I’m sure there’s been a million debates on this so please link to other threads if ya want, but to ask the question first: what do you recommend as a tow vehicle upgrade for full-time rv life? (Oh, and, just to make things easier, I’m a Ford guy. Pls leave the brand debates out of it, everyone likes what they like lol)

Context:

After a year of prepping, some renovations for lifestyle, and trial runs, my gf and I just set out on the road full time. We have a 28’ travel trailer and I tow it with an f150. Despite all numbers being within range of my truck (bought the rv with those in mind) as a newbie to the lifestyle I learned pretty quickly that standard tow ratings are pretty irrelevant when towing a giant billboard, and if I’m going to keep doing this, I need a super duty when I can afford one. Enter the problem: I don’t know what the right/best move is for a long term upgrade. Aka, until it falls apart, I don’t want to have to get another truck. Before going any further, I will also say that my gf and I started cheap to make sure we’d like the lifestyle- an older trailer with a great price so we could reno, etc- if we decide we want to keep doing this after a year (it’s already looking very likely) we are probably going to upgrade trailers, most likely to a fifth wheel (I don’t want a crazy big one though).

So. With that in mind, here is what goes through my head. Firstly, and mainly, gas vs diesel…. I will certainly be in the mountains a lot, and I know that’s where diesels shine. I love the idea of the new 7.3 gasser, and I’ve heard great things, but as far as going up and down steep grades very often, and being in the mountains a lot, I’m wondering if having a diesel that can handle that with much less stress is better long term. That being said, the internet has made me scared of buying a used diesel (I would go minimum 2021+) and obviously I’d have to save even longer to buy a new one as prices are pretty nuts. Almost considering leasing one too lol. The second biggest factor is long bed v short. I’m wondering if the difference between long bed v short really matters when it comes to finding parking in cities, etc. As far as “getting everything I want” in an ideal world I’d get a f350 diesel tremor, but those only come w short bed.

My current thoughts/factors in my head:

  • 250 vs 350 debate means very little in context to ride quality- I’m a race car guy and very used to feeling every part of the road so every truck pretty much feels like a cloud to me and idk how or why people complain lol
  • I don’t (think) I want a dually. At least yet. HD trucks are big as is, and being an explorer who will venture into cities, etc, I don’t need the fat booty making it even harder to find parking
  • short bed v long bed- I know you can risk damaging glass with tight turns with a fifth wheel when you have a short bed, but does that really happen often? Are those “sliding hitches” I hear about crazy expensive and not worth it? I do see plenty of people towing fifth wheels with short beds.
  • is the 48 gal tank worth it? I swapped the 36gal into my current f150 and it’s amazing, but even then, I’d probably be stopping for bathroom/rest in enough time for the standard 34 gal in HD trucks to be fine. Plus, 48gal only comes with crew cab/long bed configurations. See above comment on “is long bed really worth it”
  • what is the best gearing to go for? I love that tremors can come with 4.30’s. I feel like even with a diesel something like 3.73’s at least would be best