Trying to understand payload

11 years ago I was just as afraid of domestics as you seem to be. I bought the truck anyway and drove it up until a few months ago. Outside of maintenance, I put all of $8 into the truck for a burnt out daytime running light. My towing needs outgrew that truck, otherwise I would have still been driving it and would take it anywhere to this day. I've driven imports all my life, but that Chevy was my all time favorite and most reliable vehicle.

It's still a gamble on the used market, but that's true of any brand. Assuming you take all precautions, I would open up my options.