I have a 2006 F350 SRW, crewcab, V10, torqueshift, 4X4,4.30 ratio. I use it haul a 9.5 S&S camper, and tow either a 3200 pound boat or a 4500 pound explorer. I can pull the mountain passes in oregon between 3000 and 4000 rpms and go as fast as I can make the curves, I can go faster, but its dangerous. My mileage is around 9 miles to the gallon. I owned three diesel pickups before this V10, I will NEVER go back to a diesel truck.
I LOVE THIS TRUCK

Keep in mind that there are a whole bunch of really big C's and A class rigs out there running the Triton V10 very happily. i had a 7.3 and a S&S I traded in for a class c with the v10. It ain't a diesel but it does fine. go for it.

I've been very happy with my 2000 F350 CC DRW V10 with 4.30 gears. My camper can easily go over 4000lbs loaded with gear and the truck hauls it fine. The only limiter over the diesel is in mountain passes because the gas engine is not turbo-charged and so there's more altitude related power loss than with the Powerstroke. So I end up slowing down some, but I'm by no means creeping up hills.

I would buy the same truck again if doing it over.

I have a 2002 F-350 SRW with the V-10 and a 4.30 axle. We recently sold our Citation cabover and bought a fifth wheel, but we hauled that 3200lb camper with a trailer full of atv's all over the western U.S. with no trouble. I have owned the truck since new, and I can tell you it will suck some gas. Unloaded the best I have ever seen is 12.5 mpg, and I average 10.5 empty. Driving in mountainous terrain with camper and trailer in tow, I have seen as low as 6 mpg. Power is adequate on ours and I understand the newer ones are even more powerful. My only problem in 90000 miles is that recently it has begun to consume more oil. Nearly 2 quarts in 3000 miles. Ford says it's within spec, and it doesn't smoke. Despite this, I will probably trade it in a new one (V-10 again) soon. You might check out www.fordtrucks.com too. They have some good info on these trucks.

My 2000 Ford with a V10 and 4:30LS is an outstanding combination. My truck weighs 4300 lbs. with the tool box loaded. It does use gasoline, but the fuel cost for diesel makes it a wash. I get about 7.5 towing my Newmar and around 12 solo.

The 4:30 rear end allows the motor to work at the 2300 RPM doing 55 MPH. This engine will crank to 5000 without a problem.

My friends in the Ford Power Train and also local dealer recommended that if I replace my truck that I purchase a V10 again. They are very reliable and will pull.

You really need a DRW with a bigger slide on unit. I would also make certain that you have enough springs to handle the camper.

Happy Trails!!!!

Alano,
You are getting some very good advise here. I agree that the V10 is a great choice. Diesels are expensive and the fuel (at least in California) is insanely priced. I also would recommend the manual trans over an automatic. I have a Silverado 2500HD 4x4 and had to replace the auto trans, $3200 for a factory rebuilt one. Automatics in light trucks are not built tough enough for heavy work load.
Good luck with your new truck.

go with the diesel, they dont lose power in the mountains when the air get thin like gas buggys do Better gas miliage to v10, a killer on gas