F-150 Xcab would most likely do you fine but the space in the Xcab is not what I would call spacious. After that for a true crew you go to the 3/4 ton and with a gas motor they are a bit of a dog so diesel would be your best bet...get the 7.3 if going Ford and skip the headache of the 6.0.

Chebby the 1500 is a nice "city truck" they look good and do decent with normal use and light hauling duty. Their 3/4 is the entry for the crewcab if I remember right (tends to be the industry standard) and again is a good looking truck with a decent frame. The small block has decent power and the big block drains wallets (same as all big blocks).

Is there an advantage between the two companies? not really but I am a Ford guy when it comes to trucks and there is also a reason the F-150 has been the best selling truck for years.

Toyota has the Tacoma (Taco) which is their answer to the F-150...in fact it is the only truck to beat the F-150 in something like 30 years or more for sales and customer satisfaction. Worth looking into and test driving. The first gen was kind of a bitch truck and ugly as fuck (T-100) but they last like most all Toy products do. The V-8 in them is a solid engine so I wouldn't worry too much there.

Nissan...forget it, overpriced for what you get.

Honda Ridgeline...no you said a truck not a bed on a car chassis.

Dodge has already been addressed previously.

This is all just opinion and personal experience with each of the manufacturers at various levels of involvement in the motorsports world so take it as you like.