FORD,,,FORD,,,FORD,,, did I mention FORD???
LOL looks like some of the guy's covered this one for ya E... and I was going to go with Chevy in 2002 while I was deployed the wife and my mom went truck shopping... well long story short.. I did not end up with a Z-71 4X4
Now you mention...."Kevin will be driving to and from school, but the main uses are for him to work with dad in our commercial refrigeration business. Lots of tools, parts, ladders, refrigerant tanks....and also for hauling a toy box for our ATV's"
This alone I would say the Ford F-250 Powerstroke Diesel EI pointed out...
our F-150 4X4 with the triten 5.4 can do some hauling and has been a damn good truck... but I've been eyeballing the F-250's for other reasons, one of them the hauling capacity... I don't like the looks of the 2004 models though... but you also said a used truck.. I don't think you would go wrong with a Used Ford... chevy I have lost taste for them from viewing them from afar (meaning whats on the road and hauling campers/tool cribs etc...) I see mainly Fords and Dodges doing this work.. and when I do see chevy's hauling they are giving it their all to get on down the highway....
I've pulled U-hauls loaded down with wood up to 1500 bd ft in one haul...I've pulled campers and other trailers with our Ford and there hasn't been anything I wouldn't hook onto, I've got that much faith in the motor and the truck... I've loaded the bed down with tons of crap from firewood to furniture and have never had one complaint...
Go Ford!!!! extended cab,with the Diesil... Kevin can trick it out himself...
Hog