I'm glad you're thinking inline. V-8s are boring. Yeah, I know they are better suited for the job if you want cheap, bolt on H.P., but everyone has one. Dare to be different. If you want to spend some money and get the best of both worlds, you can get a Gear Vendors O.D. They cost 3k+. When you combine it with an SM420, you get 7 forward gears. At least 6 that are practical. You can split 3rd and 4th for the hills, and use 4th over on the flats. You get the granny gear for uphill starts and pulling boats up a ramp, etc... and can go with a lower geared rear(I have 3:90), have good low end torque and still cruise at 70 - 75 on the highway. My 235 does fine pulling just over 1k pounds, but I don't think I'd be happy trying to pull much more. That's why I'm building a mildy hopped up 261 stroker. At some point, I want to pull a heavier camping trailer. I think the 261 will perform well. I'll let you know for sure next summer.
The 292 is also a good idea. I've used my neighbors 80s 3/4 ton with a 292 to pull my truck on a trailer about 60 miles and it was able to hold 65 on the hills. It's also low geared and would really kick butt if it had an O.D.
Last but not least, radials and GOOD brakes are essential for what you want to do.
Good luck!!!
