I've owned a few trucks and Chevy/GM is my vote as well. Easy to work on, cheap parts, dead reliable, simple, etc. I used to snowboard every weekend, all winter, every winter and the ride at the time was a 95 Chevy C1500 with V6 and 5speed. Truck would get 20-21mpg on the highway and was surprisingly good in snow, without LSD. Good MS rated tires was all I ever needed even in VT and NH. If you really are worried then line 4 milkcrates with trashbags and fill with concrete up to handles. Place milkcrates in bed against tailgate, secure with board in bedliner slots and pass chain through handles, tie into stake pockets. No problem and plenty of traction.

I still own that 95, now has 190K and despite being beaten its entire life, its still going strong. I would rate the '88-'00 GM trucks as right up there in durability and simplicity with a manual 240D. Flame suit on!

Find yourself a V6 mid to late 90's ExCab 2wd. It will be cheap and reliable. RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K