I love my current truck and not too excited about trading but my wife and I both have decided we like the model 314 from Alfa Leisure. This unit weighs in at 16,280 loaded up and with the king-pin set 8.5" behind the nose (and that's with the extended pin!). The king-pin location means I've got to have a 8' bed. Pullrite says they're slider won't make it work in the short-bead.

As far as I can tell my options are as follows:

QC 2WD ST SRW 5.9L w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,200
QC 2WD ST SRW 5.9L w/ 48RE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,300
QC 2WD ST SRW 6.7 w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,100
QC 2WD ST SRW 6.7 w/ 68RFE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,200

QC 2WD SLT SRW 5.9L w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,150
QC 2WD SLT SRW 5.9L w/ 48RE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,250
QC 2WD SLT SRW 6.7 w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,050
QC 2WD SLT SRW 6.7 w/ 68RFE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,150

RC 2WD ST DRW 5.9L w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,150
RC 2WD ST DRW 5.9L w/ 48RE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,200
RC 2WD ST DRW 6.7 w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,000
RC 2WD ST DRW 6.7 w/ 68RFE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,100

RC 2WD SLT DRW 5.9L w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,100
RC 2WD SLT DRW 5.9L w/ 48RE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,200
RC 2WD SLT DRW 6.7 w/ G56 3.73 Max Trailer: 16,000
RC 2WD SLT DRW 6.7 w/ 68RFE 4.10 Max Trailer: 16,100

There's actually more options for me than I first thought when I started this post. I'm not considering the Laramie trim package. These all feel to be 'close enough' on capacities to me.

I've not towed anything this big before, should I value the DRW over the QC? The 6.7 turbo/exhaust brake is very interesting but also complex, will it be as stable as an add-on ebrake on the 5.9? I swore I'd not have another dodge auto after the one on my old 2000, is the 68RFE solid? So many questions!

Any recommendations? ( I don't think we want to wait for the 4500/5500 to be available)

Thanks
Chad