I have been very well pleased with my dodge diesel truck 2005 model.
it pulls my 6500# bumper pull trailer fine, it has tow/haul which changes the shift points of the transmission. This last summer we pulled out trailer up into the Smokey mountains, the old dodge pulled up the mountains fine and came down out of the mountains fine, no problems.
gets very good mpg when driving around town and good mpg pulling the trailer.
it is old enough, it does not have many of the newer epa modifications.
no dep, etc:
so far, it has been a good truck, it has 73K miles, I have completed the normal maintenance items. the only thing that cost more is the oil change, 12 qts of shell rotella 15w40 oil and Baldwin oil and fuel filters.
if you find one that was well cared for I do not think you could go wrong.
the only problem, no matter what brand you chose, in your price range, the trucks you are going to find may have much higher miles and many have been used hard and put up wet.
so take the truck you chose to a trusted mechanic and pay him to check it out for you, rather than have to pay him to put it back together after you purchase.
take your time and drive at least three or more trucks before you buy.
