7000 lbs is easily within the limits of any new 1/2 ton pickup (most are capable of towing 9500-10500 lbs). Diesel isn't needed for that kind of towing and your maintenance/runnings costs will be lower for a gasoline truck.

Personally, I'd go with the GM trucks if you don't carry too many people. The Ford F150 has the most interior room, by a clear margin. I trust the GM engine more than the others and I trust the overall powertrain the most as well. The Rams look great but they tend to age poorly and depreciate faster (here in Alberta) but they do make a strong first impression. Why wouldn't I buy a Ram? They're cheaper to buy and they don't last as long.

Any of them will haul what you ask, without any real issues. In the end, with casual use, they'll all be pretty reliable. I'd go with whatever you like the most and not worry too much about reliability.

 

Thanks Jon! I was concerned the F150 size trucks were sort of "on the line" between 6,000 and 8,000. I did not know they were good for that much tow capacity.

 

General rule of thumb is not to exceed 70% of your max towing allowance. You're pretty much there at 7000 lbs but if you were towing 7000 lbs a lot or a long way, I would actually suggest stepping up to at least a 3/4 ton pickup. Your brakes, transmission and engine will thank you. However, you said it wouldn't be a long distance vehicle, so a 1/2 ton is fine.

 

Damn it Tommy, if we keep agreeing like this we may end up inadvertently breaking the internet.

 

yes diesels can get spendy especially the new ones. I tend to like older trucks so they can get abused and I wouldn't feel about them. I would think most any truck should be able to tow 7000lbs, heck my SRT Jeep can tow that

 

It's rated to tow it but I wouldn't recommend towing that much, especially on a trip of any real length. Pulling a 7000 lb boat and trailer a few miles to a launch is one thing. Going on a 200 mile trip at interstate or freeway speeds (in traffic, especially) is another thing altogether.

Anyone that tows regularly knows that you shouldn't be maxing out your tow ratings on these pickups. They're not truly built for it and it only takes one panic stop or climb (or descent) down a decent hill to figure it out.

 

I do like the diesel trucks but yeah the cost is the concern there. I also want something that's not just a beater since it would potentially be the only 4 door vehicle we would own unless we kept the fit. So I want something that's nice I did and out that isn't on its last leg. The other direction is buying a $7k old Tacoma and then buying a nicer daily but I like the idea of being all in one.

As for the suv I have looked at them but I would have to move up to a full size suv and remove most of the seats in order to haul anywhere near the same amount. Anything smaller has the same and sometimes less room than the fit does with the seats folded down in the fit. The truck bed is just much more versitile and I don't have to worry about what I put in it.

 

another option which is what I did with my SRT when I sold my truck was just buy a $600 utility trailer about the same size of a 8' bed truck and so far its worked great for me. As for diesel trucks I think the best deals right now are the 05-07 Ford F250 with the 6.0l Power stroke. They have such a bad rap that they are selling for dirt cheap and if you can find a bulletproofed one it should last a long time. They also have coil suspension so they ride pretty good too but I know a lot of people would not agree with me.

 

This may be a very real option.

http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado-small-truck.html

Diesel. Small. A pretty loaded one is under $40k. I forgot that they were making a diesel version of this truck.

 

It needs to be broken.

But I read the OP, and the Ridge sounds like a perfect fit. Should be high 20's MPG on the highway, great AWD system for snow/ice/sand/whatever, good reliability, and shouldn't cost what the full sizes do.