Definitely look for southern trucks. My truck was originally a Michigan truck and it has the rust issues to prove it. Was still cheaper to put over 8k in upgrades into the truck than sell and buy a newer one. Plus, I have no catalytic converters or any DEF/emissions crap on my truck.

I use to tow our 380 Avenger from winter storage to marina in spring and fall and an occasional trip to get fuel with a 1/2 ton Avalanche. Storage is less than 10 miles from marina and I would baby it on non-highway roads. Gas station only a couple miles away. My Avalanche is a garaged and pampered vehicle. Bought the 380 in 2012, put a transmission in the Avalanche on 9/2012 and a rear pinion bearing 8/2014. Bought a very clean rust free well maintained 1997 F250 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4 from a friend who had owned it since new and have never looked back since. I no longer need to borrow a truck for our annual LOTO vacation and only have $5k in the tow vehicle.

Lesson learned, the 1/2 ton may move it but the drivetrain is no designed to pull 14,000#

No EoH yet but very soon as I just got this thing home and am working on correcting issues. Have found out that my truck has the Hill Assist. That is a very nice feature! Entrance from road down to my driveway is on the steep side and I went to back down the hill, hill assist became active, brake pedal got hard, and vehicle would not move even in gear without pressing the accelerator. I think that will be nice when at the ramp for sure, that and lo-range 4x4.