If I was in the market for a new pickup and could go with a mid size truck, it would probably be a Gladiator, most likely a diesel Rubicon. But that's not happening.
I've got a 4th Gen Ram (2014) with the 5.7 and 8 speed that has been a great truck, besides the leak I've been fighting.
My last work truck was a 2018 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 and 6 speed. That was a terrible truck. The fuel pump went out at 14k miles due to dust/silt getting through the capless system (no seal on the door or trim). It would cake to the filler but you couldn't really wipe it off so the nozzle just pushed it into the tank. From there on the truck was nothing but problems. The engine was rebuilt twice by the dealer for failing lifters . Several of the company trucks had this problem. Then the transmission was serviced and promptly failed around 100k miles. We've probably had 20+ of those trucks do the same thing. So much that our shop guys (they don't do our maintenance, just the initial build out and refits) no longer have people get the transmission flushed and serviced. Just drained and refilled. It's been 90% consistent with a service that the trans would fail. All of the issues happen up to 140k miles (and only like 4.5 years) when we turn them in. I used to be a Chevy guy but doubt I will ever own another one after that experience.
My current work truck is a 2023 F150 3.5 10speed. Only at 18k miles so far but it's been great. It's leaps and bounds more comfortable than the Silverado. I am a little surprised at the vibrations for a such a small engine and a new truck, but it's not enough to bother me. There's a few other things that I don't like as far as what I need it to do for work, but those are completely unrelated to normal person truck use. Lastly, every now and then I tow with it , nothing crazy heavy, a 20' aluminum river boat, a SxS on a trailer, or a 10' enclosed trailer. It's not great at towing! The fuel mileage drops tremendously when towing, especially over the mountain passes. So bad that I thought I could make it across the pass and get fuel on the other side but had to make an emergency stop watching my fuel gauge go down as I drove up the mountain! If I was in the market for a 1/2 ton, I would have to strongly consider the F150. Some of these in our company have the 5.0 and people seem to really like those as well.
Lastly, my father-in-law (and neighbor) has a 2014 Tundra with the 5.7 and I believe 6 speed, but it might be a 5 speed. I've driven it a bit over the years, and hate it. I'm a firm believer that the only people that buy Tacomas (my mom has a 2020 Tacoma and it's also awful to drive) and Tundras have not driven anything else and just want a Toyota, which is fine if that's what you want. The Toyotas get terrible mileage, feel way bigger than they are, and visibility is awful. The huge benefit to those trucks where I'm at is they hold their value because the PNW loves Toyota. I don't get it, but to each their own.
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