New Tow Vehicle Advice Needed

normal_dave wrote:
You mentioned sticker shock... (Me too).

Don't overlook a properly equipped Ram 2500 Crew Tradesman with the 6.4L Hemi. (This example advertised at ~ $ 37K at Warwick).
2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4x4

Edit: here's a better example at Branhaven in CT. ~ $ 38K. (trailer tow mirrors, brake controller, snow chief gives you anti-spin rear diff and clearance lights plus HD alternator).
2018 2500 Tradesman Crew 6.4L Hemi

A Tradesman with Chrome appearance group, and Popular equipment group is quite the value. 410 HP, 429 ft/lbs of torque on the 6.4L Hemi. Now I'd like the diesel as much as anybody, but I have to admit, the newer gas engines are making the decision on gas/diesel not quite as easy as it used to be.
2017 Ram 2500 6.4L Car and Driver review

Another "sleeper", if you can overcome payload limitations, is the F-150 with the 5.0L. 395 HP, 400 ft./lbs of torque. Imagine what we would have had to build "back in the day" to get that kind of power out of that small a displacement motor? It is really incredible.
2018 F-150 5.0L

An XLT with the 36 gallon fuel tank and 3.55 electronic locking differential for example, or maybe even an XL with the Chrome and STX appearance and power package might be worth a look too.

Keep in mind, both of these trucks will be revving in the hills, (they are of course made to handle it), but when proper rear gear ratio is chosen along with the new multi-speed transmissions, it's a world of difference in getting power to the ground, for your dollar, vs. even just 5-10 years ago.

Food for thought. Good Luck!

^ Very true. But it's hard to explain to some that you're getting ALOT more truck today than 10 years ago and just as much more than 20-40 years ago. 20years 70s and 80s was totally stagnant for advancement in pretty much anything automotive. Well not stagnant, really, but a huge step backwards and then a big hole to climb out of.
A 400hp gasser will pull pretty much any trailer under 10klbs sufficiently in most any conditions. Difference now compared to 20-40 years ago is that the options above and beyond a basic decently equipped truck with a 400hp V8 have skyrocketed. If you want $1000s in electronics, Napa Saddle leather seats and 1000ft lbs of towing muscle, you can buy it. Did you not expect it to cost alot more than the "basic" truck?
It's like saying a corvette is stupid because it costs 3x as much as mini van.