Lead Slinger sure has been "on the money" with his responses.
There are no more Dodge trucks today. RAM is what they are. Amazing how so many responded but only one cleared that up.
Back to the original issue, 9,000 lbs is doable with a 1500. To me it's on the top end of legality and safety. I would not do that on a regular basis. You will need a 3/4 ton (2500).
My experience is about 175,000 miles with a '90's GM diesel, 160,000 on a GM Duramax, 241,000 on a "Dodge" 2500 Cummins and now 65,000 miles on a RAM Ecodiesel.
Forget anything with a gasoline engine. No matter what you would buy the engine will scream with high rpm's and return towing mileage in the single digits. Towing and gasoline engines are NOT compatible. You can do it but prepare for those two issues and add another...gas engines are for horsepower. You get that with rpm's. End of that discussion.
Diesels are for low rpm and torque. Torque ratings MOVE things ... like trailers. Today there are different options with diesel. Right now the only 1/2 ton (1500) that might work is the Ram Ecodiesel, like mine. I say "No" althought it will tow and empty yield 26-28 mpg, you should use the Ecodiesel to tow with less than 8,000 lbs +- total trailer weight. Forget what Ford says about their Ecoboost gas engines. The unreliable pigs suck fuel towing or empty and scream rpms, like all gassers. Sure they can tow but you would not want to be the one doing it.
The 2500's from GM use a newer edition of the older Duramax. The one I had broke down with regularity because of Bosch defective injectors. Later the Allison transmission came apart. I think the newer ones are much better.
The new Ford Powerstrokes are an expensive beast. Yes, the older 6.0 L engines were a disaster that mostly tore apart Ford credibility for customer satisfaction and long-trashed their reputation. The newer ones - big and complex V8 diesels, are better. Sure there are still some major failures but not remotely like the older ones. Good ones were the old 7.3L engines. That's over 10 years ago.
Ram is Cummins. It's an in-line 6 cylinder engine that has defined reliability in pickup trucks. Lately the engine sixe was increased to 6.7 L from the classic 5.9L model. Still good, it and ALL the diesels, are saddled with EPA choking. All have to use DEF and also feature DPF particulate filters and overburdening EGR systems. Rather than get into what all that means, the affects are easier to understand.
The DEF systems use that urea fluid to inject into the exhaust. Sometimes there are sensor problems covered under Federal mandated emission warranties. Ram uses simple filler arrangements and you normally fill say once every 10,000 miles at truck stops. Normally you get over 1,000 miles per gallon of DEF at about $2.70 a gallon at the truck stops. It's a non-issue economically.
GM has a stupid tank low and problematic hanging under the truck. You have to fill under the hood. A real PIA. Ford is like Ram, no issue but the sensor issues.
All will pull your weight easily and safely. All will return fuel mileage towing in the lower double digits. All will be close to 20 mpg unloaded but the Ram/Cummins is the best there. It's also the most reliable and proven of the power plants.
Know that is helpful and I also know I am correct. Remember, I did NOT recommend any 1500, including my Ram Ecodiesel.
Horsepower and torque
Pure American made get-up & go
It is the 6.6L
