Buy me a truck

I am looking around and trying to decide but would absolutely love the completely unbiased OT opinion on buying/owning a truck. ~sarcasm for those slow learners~

I would primarily would be using it as an everyday type truck but have a particularly unique (maybe not so much down here) need. The front of my neighborhood floods during any extended heavy rain event. We had one recently that had the flood water at the front entrance standing still for a good 48 hours due to poor drainage in the area. This area can get relatively deep and unless you had a full size truck you weren’t getting through.

So with that being said I would have considered a Tacoma or the like for the driving/commuting needs if not for the flooding potential nonsense and I am not willing to put my faith in city/parish government to resolve that problem anytime soon while I decide on what truck to buy.

So I need a full size truck, reliable, with comforts inside for myself since I will be in it a bunch and roomy enough for the family occasionally.

I will say that I had a Ram 1500 Big Horn rental recently and was very impressed with the interior and how it drove and handled. Not so sure about long term reliability with Ram these days but would like to hear thoughts.

I would prefer to keep the price under $40k if possible as I am poor but I know it is doable provided I don’t load up on too many options. Speaking of options why doesn’t Ram have running boards on any of their trucks? Can the dealer not add them if you want them added?

TL:DR - what full size truck should I look at for good reliability, nice interior and goodies, roomy and good for commute.