[slow]

Our story: We started with a 2001 F150 with 1800+ lbs of payload capacity to pull our 23RB in 2014. In 2015, we decided to upgrade the TV and looked at F150s and F250s (gas) for the same reasons you are. Ended up with the F250 gasser with nearly 2700 lbs of payload since it was lower in price to buy new (on the Ford distribution lot) than a less capable but maximum payload capacity F150 which we would have had to factory order.

Fast forward to last summer, we traded in the 23R and bought a FW that the F250 can handle within all specs, but the maximum payload F150 would not have.

IMO, Go for the F250 (or a 2500 of your choice) and you will not regret it. If considering a F350 (or a 3500 of your choice) then may as well go diesel to be able to take advantage of the payload capacity in the future.