I was in a similar dilemma two years ago but my towed weight was a bit higher at 10k#. At the time I thought a HD 1/2 ton was the way to go and Ford and GM were the only games in town at that time, as Ram, Toyota and Nissan did not have enough towing capacity. At that time diesel 1/2s from Nissan and Toyota were on the horizon and I wanted to wait for them to come out but ended up needing something sooner.
Ford dealers wanted too much for new HD Eco boosts and were not dealing at all. GMs were priced better but I just could not get a great deal anywhere I looked on a new truck. I had previously looked at a lot of used trucks, including diesels, but never found a truck in good enough condition for any kind of reasonable price.
In the end I moved up to 3/4 ton diesels due to my weight requirements pushing the limits of a 1/2 ton truck (chassis and brakes), drove some new ones and came home with a new 2015 Ram 2500 diesel crew cab, 4x4, moderately loaded at a very good price from a small town dealer. Overall I paid ~ $8k additional vs. the HD 1/2s. Love my truck and I made the right purchasing choice for my circumstances.
Power and handling while towing are exemplary, but the ride is not as good as a 1/2 ton truck when empty. No comparison in towing power between any gas engine vs. any diesel I drove while on the highway; the gas engines would run out of breath way before the Cummins diesel. Acceleration empty also put the gas engined trucks to shame and is effortless. I average ~ 19 MPG - 21 MPG with a moderate load and driving up and down hills in my area. Seldom is there a flat piece of road to be found. The 17.1k# of towing on the bumper with no required WD hitch is wonderful, as is the factory class v towing options. Wonderful, HD truck.
Ford dealers wanted too much for new HD Eco boosts and were not dealing at all. GMs were priced better but I just could not get a great deal anywhere I looked on a new truck. I had previously looked at a lot of used trucks, including diesels, but never found a truck in good enough condition for any kind of reasonable price.
In the end I moved up to 3/4 ton diesels due to my weight requirements pushing the limits of a 1/2 ton truck (chassis and brakes), drove some new ones and came home with a new 2015 Ram 2500 diesel crew cab, 4x4, moderately loaded at a very good price from a small town dealer. Overall I paid ~ $8k additional vs. the HD 1/2s. Love my truck and I made the right purchasing choice for my circumstances.
Power and handling while towing are exemplary, but the ride is not as good as a 1/2 ton truck when empty. No comparison in towing power between any gas engine vs. any diesel I drove while on the highway; the gas engines would run out of breath way before the Cummins diesel. Acceleration empty also put the gas engined trucks to shame and is effortless. I average ~ 19 MPG - 21 MPG with a moderate load and driving up and down hills in my area. Seldom is there a flat piece of road to be found. The 17.1k# of towing on the bumper with no required WD hitch is wonderful, as is the factory class v towing options. Wonderful, HD truck.
