Well I wound up getting a 2017 F250 4x4 Supercab, 6-1/2' box with the 6.2 gas engine. I bought a BW RVK3300 companion hitch (non-slider) that fits into the factory puck system (love it!). I have 6" clearance over the bed rails and the nose will not hit the cab when turning. The truck pulls nicely, it will shift down from 5th to 4th on a moderate incline and to 3rd on a steeper hill (pulling in "D" with 6th locked out). The BW hitch is very well built and there was no clunking or chucking at all on it's maiden voyage.
P.S. I am rapidly getting used to these bells and whistles.
