I have a 99 dodge with the 5.9 V8 it is a great truck and pulls my 28' 5th wheel no problem. It is however a 3/4 ton camper special with the 5 speed manual transmission.
I paid $3500 for it. It had 100k miles on it and the body is beat up (no rust). I don't know what your friend wants for the 1500, but it would have to be CHEAP for me to buy it.
My last truck was a 2008 F-150 with the 4.6l, no where near the torque, or towing ability.
All that being said, I am with the others on the 3/4 gas truck. Just passed on a F-250 with the V-10 crew cab for $5500 had 150k miles on it. Deals are out there find a budget, what you want fill your pocket with $100 bills and wait for a good deal.