is this truck something you daily drive every day? if so i would stay with a half ton for sure. with the power these half tons are putting out now they are more than capable of doing what you described plus the ride is alot nicer. my gas super duty gets 14 on the highway on a good day and 9-10 on the highway pulling.
i have a beater car i drive every day and the truck sits in the garage most the time but if i used my truck for a daily driver i would sell it in go back to a half ton just because of the more comfy ride and alot better mileage.
fixing and replacing parts/tires on a 3/4 or 1 ton are more expensive also