I run the 09 Hemi with the 3:92 gears and love it.I get 20-21MPG on the HWY and about 15 city. 21K miles on it so far.
Pulls the boat great and has plenty of room in the rear seat with the crew cab.
My 2002 Ram went 170k miles before I traded it and only did brakes twice and total maint cost other than brakes,tires and oil was 563.00 for a radiator(my fault) and an IAC.

OP why don't you want a diesel? I pulled 5000lbs with a Ram 3500 srw and got 16-17mpg hwy.

AT this point i'm considering an 09 + Silverado w/ 5.3, The Tundra's in my price range are a couple years older, a couple thousand more and higher mileage. The 5.3 is hard to find in the silverado, 90% have the 4.8L.

The Hemi Ram would be nice and fun to drive, but most people tell me to steer clear of Chrysler products my wifes Jeep was a prime example...

I need to drive the Tundra, silverado and the Ram, see which one I like the best and go from there to find the right one in my price range.

I got a 2010 5.7 ext. cab Tundra pulls my 280ss formula great(10500lbs). Fun truck to drive when empty, great ride. I spent years messing around with Fords and Chevys watching them fall apart no matter how well I took care of them. This is my second Toyta tundra . First was 2003 which I pulled a 1999 Baja with(6000Lbs). This trucks do what they say they do. Gas milage included.

My dads 2010 Ram has been flawless! AMAZING truck. You will love all of it! Interior is amazing, ride, power, looks, function etc!

Air bags on the back will fix any payload problem worst case.

RAM!!!

I've got a 2008 Silverado with the 5.3L engine and 3.73 rear.. Tows my 25' AT great. I want to upgrade to diesel 2500HD eventually, but no rush since my current is doing a great job.

Again I ask...why don't you want a diesel pulling a 29' boat?

i pull my 280 with a tired old 2000 f150, its starting to get a little rust but not to bad.

I just redid the entire front suspension, and added air bags in rear. Its an entirely different truck now. Pulls like the velocity isn't even there. Best of all ITS BEEN PAID FOR, FOR OVER 5 YEARS!!! I put a whopping 4K miles on it last year.

Good luck with what ever you choose.

My 2001 F-150 was getting so rusty it was coming trough the doors, jams, engine, front suspension, I'm at the max of that truck at just over 7K, without a tow vehicle in tip top shape I was starting to feel it was dangerous. Sure I was giddy it was paid for and wasn't looking for a new book of the month club. i'm not against a diesel but finding one in my price range and year range of 08 or newer without 200K and a crew cab is just about impossible.

all the above trucks are nice, i'm on my 3rd ram, and every one has been that much better, 2000, great truck, 2005, hemi is awesome and basically trouble free, and now i have a 2011 1500 w 3.92 hemi and we basically don't even know the nordic is back there, granite the payload is less with the coil suspension, but that 390hp is no joke and the interior, styling, handling, braking, in my opinion is the best out there, hands down RAM, don't get scared off by the past, ram trucks are nothing like they used to be