I would greatly appreciate a little advice. I am quiting my day job to ride/train horses full time. I want to purchase a horse trailer that will be the safest and most useful over the next 10 years or so. I hate bumper pulls and my horses seem to prefer slant loads. I don't know exactly what they weigh, but my largest is a 17.2 H warmblood. So I think I'm looking at a 3-4 horse slant load gooseneck extra high/wide (small dressing room, no LQ). I have seen a used Merhow and a 4-Star I like. My pocketbook requires I look for the best value used equipment. So I guess this means that my primary vehicle will be a pickup truck. Questions are:

Do I need a 1-Ton or can I get away with a 3/4 ton?
I really don't want to go to a dually, but it looks like the GMC and Dodge 1-ton trucks are all dually's. Do I need it?
If buying a used pu, should I look to diesel or gas?
Should I stay away from Fords (my friend says it means Frequently on road dead)
Tending towards a GMC/Chevy diesel 4WD extend cab with long bed and Alison Trans, but another experienced hauler tells me the only way to go is Dodge Allison.
Understanding that I'm looking to keep the price tag in the $20K range, what are your recommendations?
Any and all help is most appreciated.

Hi welcome to the forum.

Do I need a 1-Ton or can I get away with a 3/4 ton?

You need to answer the question... A dually will handle the 4 horse easily. A 3/4 will squat with a full 4 horse load load.

A gasoline engine has the cost advantage. I would recommend either a Ford Or GM product to get their latest transmission. Only the GM has the Allison trans. Ford has their version of it too. Dodge has the Cummins engine, but their transmissions have been problems.

I looked at new GM's yesterday. The Chevy 2500HD with Diesel and Allison is a very nice product. Can get a new 2006 at decent price. Also looked at Dodge Cummins & dealer said they solved their trany problems in 2005. True??? Do the Diesel's really have a power advantage over the 6.0 liter V8 in the GM products? Where can I read more about these products? My trailer will be 6900# dry weight, and 3 horses add a max of 4500 #. Does the towing capacity of 12000# apply to bumper pull and Gooseneck? Thanks... N