I didn't retire trucking but drove for six years hauling livestock with semi and truck and 4 wheel trl in nasty **** spots.
I have a 3950 which is about 18.5 k. I pulled it for two years with a 3/4 ton 02 Chev Duramax boosted by + 75 hp. Stock at 225 was hard pulling but with added poop it helped but glad I put pyro and boost on it or I would have smoked it. The chev was SWR and it spooked me even with heavier rated tires and air bags that if I ever blew one I would go for a **** of a ride. It was a little squishy too handling.
Last year I purchased a 09 Ram 1 ton with the cummings, auto, 4 wd, short box, mega cab, Laramie. I looked at Chev again because I did like it but they would not deal at all and I couldn't get it in a short box. There cab wasn't as big as the mega. I looked at Ford and was spooked with it having a brand new engine this year but I have heard so far they are doing ok. I had had a Dodge years ago and it was a piece of crap but over the last three years I have been talking to everyone I could at campgrounds about their trucks. They all liked whatever they had.
I found this 09 Ram after looking all around last year in December. It was on closeout at 47k down from 58k with all the goodies. I wanted a 4 wheel drive cause we live in Idaho with a tad bit of snow. I also have to pull a 8500# sailboat outof the water on sandy ramps. I wanted a dually because it would give me more security and more stable which I can tell you it is very stable. I wanted a shortbox with the Mega cab as I would have no room in my garage for a long box Mega. I always like the Cummins engine and people with these have been absoltely in love with them.
I absolutely think this is the best truck I have ever owned. The Cummins is quiet, strong, and torquey. The platform is very stable. The Mega Cab is wonderful. When you look at one fold the rear seat down so you can see how much room there is to haul stuff back there. The short box works fine with a toolbox and an under toolbox aux fuel tank under it giving me 68 gallons. The toolbox I put in doesn't stick up 4 or 5 inches like most. It is about 2 inches up helping with the 5th wheel hookup. I mounted the 5th wheel about 1 1/2 inches to the rear of the axle and it works fine but in retrospect I think I could have put it directly over the axle as I still have plenty of clearance with the trl. I don't need air bags now.
3/4 tons and 1 tons are basically the same pickup with exception of an additional spring in the rear. I don't think you can get a 3/4 with duals but there is very little difference in cost. All the big three are pushing right at the same HP. Chev and Ford I believe are stillo not adding a Jake but the Ram comes standard with it and it is as good as the one in your old big rig.
A dually makes you pay a little more attention going around corners as they stick out like a big potato butt girl. Little tighter in parking spaces but I just find a space away from others anyway and usually take up 1 1/2 spaces to keep people from banging me. The ram has been very tight with little to no rattles and inside it seems to be bigger and laid out better or with RVers in mind with little cubby holes for storage.
I wouldn't let my wife drive the Chev pulling but now except in tight curvy roads she handles it fine but quite frankly I enjoy driving it so much she doesn't get much of a chance to drive. The mirrors works ok where they fold out. I would suggest that you add a back up camera to whatever you buy. They are hard to tell where they are backing into parking spaces (easiest way by far). With the camera you can tell within a couple of inches where you are. I can even hook up my tongue ball sailboat right into and under the ball the first time where you can see it great.
Everyone will tell you they love their rigs as I do.
I think they are all good nowdays but I just have a preference now to my Ram the way it is set up. If you can shop at the end of the season you will likely save 10K like i did.View attachment 9646Send a personal msg if you want for any more info.