the piston/lifter issues seem to be limited to the VVT series Hemis with auto, the manual transmission ones and non-vvt engines dont seem to have the issue. There was also a timing chain recall on the VVT engines a while back
in answer to one of the original questions, my experience w/ towing is that a short wheelbase p/u is way more menuverable( backing and etc.), but a heaver truck is more stable and handles the weight better.
