If going used, go with a used Toyota with the 5.7 L engine.

We have a 2008 Toyota Sequoia with that engine with 240,000 miles on it. All we've ever done is change the oil every 5,000 miles and do a transmission fluid change/flush every 100,000 miles. I've towed my loaded 20 ft toy hauler with it and it tows better than my 6.0 L Chevy truck.

Regarding my truck, its an old 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500HD... which is really their old 2500 3/4 ton platform (pre-2500HD model). I know that my truck's 6.0L has a lot more to give if I would add a supercharger and and tune... then it would tow like a beast... but for the amount of towing I do, it meets my needs. I'm still tempted though. Although at this point I think I'd want to overhaul the engine (it has around 145,000 miles on it), add the supercharger and the tune, and also rebuild the transmission/upgrade it for the added horsepower... sounds expensive, but way less that what new trucks are going for.

I think the newer 6.0 L Chevy's have more HP than mine does. It was only 300 HP when new. My Chevy has been solid for nearly 20 years.

If going new, and you are going to tow a lot, then go with a 2500 or 3/4 ton. If you really want effortless towing, get a diesel 3/4 ton. If towing occasionally, the more powerful motors in the half ton trucks should suffice. Just know that when tackling a big hill, you might end up in second or third gear, motor rapped out at near redline, making 55-60 miles per hour. Feels like you are going to blow your engine, but its made for it. As long as the engine and tranny temperatures stay in range you are OK... the hill won't last forever.

Regarding Fords... I've never liked the huge center console. Every time I've driven one it feels like the gas pedal is too far to the right. So definitely make sure to test drive and look for aesthetics. Before we got our current new model Sequoia (2024), we looked at Mercedes Benz SUV's. We took an empty cello case to make sure the cello would fit, and we brought my wife's Yeti cup. The cello case fit, barely. the yeti cup fit in the front, but 1 rear cupholder was the size of a 12-oz coke can and the other was the size of a red bull can. We didn't even do a test drive. My wife said "it doesn't pass the cupholder test" so its a non-starter. the sales guy was like "but its a Mercedes"... unimpressed, my wife said "yep, and they apparently don't understand the US soccer mom market".