Wife has an '08 1500 QC 4x4 with the 4.7L flex fuel motor...makes for a decent daily driver
I know the hemi has instant torque, whereas the 4.7L doesn't...was still able to tow my 64 chevy p/u on a hauler with no problems..gas mileage towing is atrocious...11mpg if you're lucky.

Just cruising the interstate on gas it gets about 18mpg...on E85 it gets about 12mpg.

Only problem was the tranny crapped out at the 3 yr point, which was replaced under warranty no problems

We use ours about the same way you described your intended usage...if you ever want to do real 4x4ing/crawling I would get a 2500, or sumthin with a solid axle front end just for durability sake. For our hiway/lite 4x4 trail use when we go camping our is fine.