Toyotas are hard to beat -- I have loved every one that my dad and i have owned. That being said I have not been overly disappointed with my dodge dakota -- except for the fuel consumption. Dads 2008 only 125000 miles still gets 26 or so -- my 2001 dakota -- 12 or so ( i know 4 cyl manuel vs. 8 cyl automatic).

If you go Tacoma no need to go with the higher end models unless you want the crawl control options, stripes and hood scoop bling. My 2018 is a tank it will do well in the snow and mud. Tacoma’s with the off-road package are 4 wheel drive with a locking rear end, mine is at least.

I sold my last one an 04 sr5 with 22re with around 300 k miles on it. I drove it 7 years and used it like a 4 wheeler, daily driver and a one ton. I was younger and didn't know better but pulled trailers some max speed was 45mph on the flat, 12,000lbs of scrap, and trailers of hay that took getting the truck rolling in 4 low.

Yes I worked on it occasionally but it was a hard used machine and machines wear out parts. By far the best money I have ever spent on a vehicle. It paid for it's self using it on side jobs many times over.