It sounds like you have a fairly informed opinion about the quality & reliability of various vehicles. If someone were looking to buy a short bed half ton standard cab 4x4 pickup with 7,000# tow capacity, air conditioning & not a whole lot of other gizmos, which ones would you recommend?
I'm afraid while I can tell you what is un-reliable, simply based on how often we see vehicles in the shop, and the type of repairs. OTOH it is difficult to know what is a good truck, because we may simply not have enough customers with a specific vehicle.
For example, I had a 1996 5.2 litre Ram 1500 long bed, and loved it. After I retired it from a daily driver to a "tow+stuff", I admittedly would abuse it and it just kept going and going. Other than oem paint adhesion issues it was great.
I'd buy another one in a shot.
New rams… no thanks. They rust faster than before, have electrical issues (most common is their ill advised "integrated power module". "I'm sorry sir it's $700 to make your horn work"), and other flaws depending on drivetrain choice.
Personally I'd by an older diesel as a tow vehicle. Older means simpler designs.
In addition, when that specific design/drivetrain has been around for a while, you get to see what problems they have.
I've only purchased a vehicle brand new once, and won't again due to that, and simple depreciation
FWIW:
We have Subarus as our daily drivers, and only use our truck to tow the boat and other misc. things.
I currently have a 1998 Chev K2500 Extended Cab Diesel.
Cheap to buy, and with the right minor mods are reliable.
I paid $2,000 for the truck, and another on $2,000 on brakes and front end parts when I bought.
Amazingly for here, it has no body rust.
With an upgraded lift pump, harmonic balancer, PMD relocation, and good thermostat, it's nice and reliable.
(without those changes they can have issues)
If I could find an early 90's or late 2000 Ram 2500 Diesel, that was rust free, I'd buy it in a second.
Truthfully, If we don't start trailering our C22 more, I'd not "need" a truck. I'd simply rent one for the few times a year we tow the boat to the lake and back. We are 2 people in the city, with 4 vehicles and 2 motorcycles, so parking space is at a premium.
If you drive your truck daily, your needs may be different.
Simply.. older proven designs is what I look for in a vehicle. I avoid new designs+drivetrains like the plague.
IMMV
For years we towed with a 1973 Chevrolet Impala 4 door sedan with a beefed up suspension but they don't make cars like that anymore.
An Olds Vista Cruiser is one I think would make a great tow/travel car.
Buy one in very good condition, use it, and sell it for what you paid for it.
Fuel cost you say ? Since it's not a daily driver, who cares ?
You can buy a heck of a lot of fuel for the purchase/maintenance/depreciation price difference, compared to many of today's vehicles.
And you'd look oh so cool driving down the road with all that glass.