The van solution is a really good one. I spent a lot of time about 2 years ago trying to solve the same problem. I had gotten lucky getting by with a 4.0 Jeep Cherokee for too long, and decided it was time to get a real tow vehicle. My brother has an F350, crew cab, diesel, long bed, 4x4 truck that I was salivating over. Then I started shopping. The only 1 tons and 3/4 ton pickups I found were pretty long in the tooth, with questionable historys. The ones I would even consider were in the $6-$10k area.

Ended up with a 1995 GMC 3/4 ton conversion van with a 350, tow package, and sweet valet lights inside. I pulled off the crappy fender flare/side step things, and it looks and acts like a truck, but keeps stuff I carry onboard dry and only cost $4200. It tows our open trailer 1000 times better (and safer) than the Jeep did. It also provides some space for our 1yr old to nap in, or get diaper changes. We camped in it when crewing for a freind at the June sprints and it worked great.

So yeah - the van idea, check into that....

Chris