Amen folks!!

My 2'C's...Steve

Thanks for the input.  As to the price comparison of the Big 3 and Toyota, I live in Canada and perhaps the levies on imports is not quite as high here.  One of the things we were surprised about when shopping around, was that the Toyota priced out very well against the 2500 HD's (and they have totally up-graded the '07 Tundra).  We actually do favour a Chevy 2500HD Diesel 4x4, but new ones in these parts are very pricey, and 2nd hand ones are somewhat scarce. 

But on that note, I guess what you are saying is the a 2500 HD Diesel would do the trick with this trailer?  Also, the Sundowner is a 727 - which is the all-aluminum frame (much lighter weight) than their standard aluminum trailer.  We did pull it about 3 times last year with our Chevy Heavy Half 4x4, and it pulled really well (two horses only).  We generally travel about 3 hours from home (pretty well on the flat) for endurance racing and competitive trail rides. 

Thanks again!

 Better get that manual out.

I wish I could offer you more detail - I think you're going to be fine with the weight, especially since you've previously used a heavy duty 1/2 ton in the past.  The new Tundra is a very solid beast, especialy for a "1/2" ton.  I saw one comment about max torque being very high in the RPM range... probably true, but I've also read that a majority of the torque is available at much lower rpms's, and of course you would have the 6 speed tranny with the 5.7.  There are several comparison tests out there and the Toyota does real well in it's class - there are some videos on the Tundra website that show "sanctioned" comparisons between all the 1/2 tons pulling 6000 lbs - of course the Toyota pulls the pants off of all of them - if it didn't I doubt the video would be on the site... LOL.

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/tundraexperience/index.html#

(Correction - the tests shows them all pulling 8500lbs) Click on "Straight Info" to see the videos. 

With all that said - I do agree with some of the other comments - you can easily buy a very loaded Dodge 2500 diesel for as much or less than a loaded Double Cab or Crew Max Tundra (at least here in CT).  It's really up to you and what you want.  I think this is a good time to be buying a truck - there are so many good ones out there.

Good Luck!

Steve

Hey Hounddog - take a look at their specs - it's 401 ft. lbs. at 3600rpm.  Quite a bit of torque is available lower in the RPM band too.  It is a nice setup for towing.

Steve

Buy a Ford F-250/350/450 Diesel :D  Sorry I am a Ford guy, and after all they are either made in Canada or USA.  If you have the funds, they new 08 Fords are out and they are pretty nice looking.  But Ford hold up pretty good.

Maybe think about a Dodge too.  At my work (law enforcement) we run 2-2004 Dodge Rams (Gas) one 1500 and one 2500, and 2-2006 Dodge Ram 1500s.  All crew cab, 4x4s.  The trucks spend 97% of their time on patrol doing 5-10MPH and the 2004s both have more than 130,000 miles on them and still run pretty good, ok they run okay, but we also beat the you know what out of them.  99% of our patrol is dirt washboard, rutted roads, some of it 4x4 only, and they hold up.  I know its not towing, but you also need a truck that can last so just giving some input.

I would look into the Dodge 2500 Cummins (SP) 06 or 07.

I wouldn't recommend the Ford 6.4 diesel.  You may get the new flame thrower option. They have a recall for it right now.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/21/news/companies/ford_recall.reut/

Video of one of the new trucks with the problem. Hope for fords sake they figure it out before some gets hurt.

I forgot some Ford trucks are made in Mexico also.  I have a Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor made in Mexico, and with 260K miles on it.

No one has mentioned the pin weight of the trailer yet, and I consider that to be a big factor. Usually aprox 17% -25% of trailer weight. What is the cargo capacity of the truck? Not only pin weight, but you have to add up everything going in truck; hay, feed, firewood, tack,ect.

Don't know the specs on the Tundra, but suspect any 1/2 would not be rated for the load you plan on dropping into the bed. 

I'm a big Toyota fan, but I pull with Ford F350 7.3l PSD

Yah, I got the Sundowner numbers mixed - we do have the all-aluminum model.  Also, we are now leaning towards an F250 7.3L SuperDuty Powerstroke Diesel.    Have finally been able to find some good sites that actually list the cvgwr, etc.  The best seem to list the towing capacity, differentiating between a tag trailer and a 5th wheel. 

Also noticed info that suggests the re-worked Ford 2000 and up models 6.3L (?) wasn't the greatest engine and had some recalls/problems, so the '99 seems more promising.

Any suggestions as to what we should look out for in a used truck that has been towing (by a farmer)?

Thanks for all your input.  It's been great!

Ford PSD were 7.3l until 2004, then they went to 6.0l. had some problems early on but seem to work them out by 2006. Now they have changed again in 2008 to a 6.4l twin turbo. I think they had to for EPA.

As far as what to look for.... all the usual stuff. Maint is critical on diesel, so ask about previous owners maint habits/records. Check turbo for dusting, there was problem with stock air cleaner box leaking a couple of years.I'd take some test strips with me and check SCA levels. It would be great if you could get him to give you an oil sample to send in to lab, that would tell you volumes about the engine.

Read this site, I think he has list of things to ck before buying.  

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/_import/pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/index3.html

I've never been happier w/ my duramax and allison. I think i have quite a bit more truck than you'll need but, I think that's much better to have too much than too little.

Also I'm SCARED to buy the first model year of anything. That's the reason I got the 07 Classic GMC Sierra Crew Cab Dually. I only put about 10k on it; Exiss 310 Event... Living quarters status = lived and three horse slant full with three horses in it. The trailer in itself is enough to make me feel initimated; the truck makes up for it.
I think a 2500 would do that trailer fine. I would for SURE get a diesel. i wasnt at first real excited about the diesel option but, it's what i got. I can't tell you how happy I am with it. This thing is a 7500 pound hot rod. It's a blast to drive; and easy to manuever.
I had a 5.3 1500 sierra that i traded on my dually. I think the stress alone of going somewhere with not enough truck or safety justifies the price tag. Another note; although it is a hefty performer (the toyota) the same load on two trucks the diesel will out pull it and absolutely leave it on a hill. I didn't beleive either but; now i'm a believer! LOL. It'll also get better mileage while pulling and alot of the time get better mileage empty w/ a diesel than gas.