I've had 2 diesels. A 7.3 for 6 years and a 6.0 for another 6 years. I pulled a deckover with 10-14K average. Probably a total of 400k miles. The diesel was a great choice.
Based on my 40 year driving experience, I would never use a 1/2 ton truck to pull an 8-10K load. Brakes, vehicle weight, tires, ride height, etc. Just sayin...
I recently bought a 2015 F350 CC with a 6.2. I pull the same load with it, just not as frequently. NO PROBLEM straight from the dealer.
As posted previously, this is a personal preference. Good Luck!

 

Like I said, don't judge the present F-150 towing capability from your experiences with past F-150s. The current generation F-150 is a much more capable towing platform than even my 8 year old F-250, in ALL respects. Power, stability, braking and unloaded fuel mileage.

I would buy one, but I don't want a truck payment right now because I an a cheap curmudgeon.

 

I won't go back to screwing with adjustable shocks, airbags and etc to try and level out an F-150 when it is loaded. My Super Duty takes the same load and more and just smiles with no levelers needed. Especially with the prices of both trucks being so close.

 

I agree the newer F-150s are much improved.

I drive a 2013 F150 x-cab 2wd with the 5.0 at work and wow, what a nice riding truck it is.

The F-150 has the power to pull a 8K lb. trailer no problem, but I wonder how much of a strain it would be on that 1/2 ton to do that @ 3,000 miles ( or more) a year loaded down ?

I ended up buying a F250 last month. Time will tell if I made the right decision.

 

My thoughts too. I loved the smooth ride my 05 F150 had. But when loaded it just squatted way too fast. Sacrificed payload for plush ride. I see they make a heavy duty payload/towing package that must help but now that I'm spoiled with 5,000lbs of payload capacity (which I need) I could never go less.


Unless I was able to have BOTH trucks!

 

If you get a heavy payload package on an F150 it rides a little tougher anyway. Not like a 250 but not like an STS either. I personally like the SD ride. It's firm but it's not abusive like the trucks of the 90s

 

I would rather have the '05 and newer V10 rather than the 6.2, the v10 having more torque in a useable rpm range. The 5r110 is an awesome transmission and Mike at 5star can really wake up the v10 also. I loved my '08 v10, hated my '13 6.2 and now really love my '14 6.7, the 6.7's have proven to be very reliable as have the v10's. As others have said pick the one YOU want and have fun with it.