Need advise on which new truck - 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

A F150 will do just fine with a 3.5 engine in it. Mine pulls a Cat scaled 6100lb 28' trailer and it feels like the trailer is on rails behind me. Sounds like you've owned several trailers before so the advise you "might go bigger" doesn't apply you know what you like and need. I have a '19 super cab Lariat with lots of creature comforts and still have 1900lbs of payload. Have fun shopping