Travis, you have been given some sage advice above. I am familiar with almost every one of the posters and find them to be way more than competent when it comes to answering your question. However, being from Alabama we want to make sure come September you don't start out any posts with "Roll Tide!" We could live with an occasional "War Eagle" if it isn't too often...
Naw, just having a little fun. Believe me, stay with the one ton, don't listen to all the 3/4 ton baloney stories. Gas vs. diesel argument will go on forever. Not 'much' difference these days in maintenance, mileage is certainly better with diesel, resale is much better with diesel, and a couple years down the road you won't be left wishing you had bought the 'DirtyMax.'
And welcome to the forum by the way.