1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton designations

[mtbon]

What are the 'ton' designations based on? Weight? Cargo volume? neither?

Do the designations apply to SUV's, such as the 1/2 ton Tahoe and 3/4 ton 'Burb? Or are they just based off of truck frames? One half of a ton is 1000 lbs., but I don't see that in any factory specs. Is it payload? I have a payload of 1608 lbs. in my Tahoe. Or am I just getting all my terms confused?

Also, didn't Toyota make a 1 ton mini truck once?

TIA.

[hercman]

I'm sure you've heard different models of pickups referred to as half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton vehicles. All three terms refer to pickup truck load capacity. For instance, a half ton truck's springs, chassis, and bed are designed to safely carry a maximum of 1000 pounds, or one-half of a ton.

 

Most manufacturers have stopped using weight-related terms to describe their pickup trucks. They have switched to number or letter designations that don't usually help you determine a truck's load rating, so be sure to get the facts before carrying a heavy load.

 

Half-Ton Pickup Trucks - General Purpose

 

 

Drive to work

 

Move furniture

 

Haul trash

 

Modify for lowrider and sport truck

Three-Quarter-Ton Pickup Trucks - General Purpose, Heavier Loads

 

 

Hauling dirt or sand

 

Light fifth-wheel trailer use with in-bed campers

One-Ton Pickup Trucks - Heavy Cargo

 

 

Hauling large loads of sand, dirt, wood

 

Large in-bed campers

 

Heavy fifth-wheel trailers, such as horse trailers or car trailers

Important Points to Remember

 

 

Engine, transmission, axle gearing, and "people load" also play a part in the capabilities of your truck.

 

Overload springs will help keep the vehicle level when loaded or overloaded, but they do nothing to strengthen the axle, wheel bearings, tires, or frame

[mcreyaufmiller]

the tonage normally refers to the payload capacity in the bed.

[Valsport]

GVWR's

[71GMC_3/4T]

The weight rating is typically what you can put in the bed when you have the cab loaded with people and gear. It's based on the frame, springs, brakes and axles.

 

It ain't GVWR. An 8600 GVWR truck would be able to haul 4 tons + !?!?! GVWR is gross, which is the weight of the truck, plus all the payload.

[Daubs]

I believe the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton designations go way back to the origins of pickup trucks...early 19th century.

 

Back then a 1/2 ton could haul 1000 pounds in the bed, 3/4 ton...well, you get the picture.

 

As time went on the manufacturers just kept the labels, even though today's 1/2 tons can haul between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds in bed.

 

My "3/4 ton" truck is rated for something like 3,400 pound payload, but it ain't called a 1-1/2 ton truck.

[taco]

Sort of off Topic - but what are the actual differences between a 2500HD and the 3500 single rear wheel (not a dually) ? Seems to me they are both 1 ton trucks and the 1500HD (2500 non-HD) are the 3/4 ton ones with the 1500 being the 1/2 ton. Am I all wet on this?

[Valsport]

An 8600 GVWR truck would be able to haul 4 tons + !?!?!  GVWR is gross, which is the weight of the truck, plus all the payload.

 

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You just made my point for me. It is by GVWR, those specs on frame, springs, brakes and axles are what specify the truck's GVWR's!

[Scyry]

Sort of off Topic - but what are the actual differences between a 2500HD and the 3500 single rear wheel (not a dually) ?  Seems to me they are both 1 ton trucks and the 1500HD (2500 non-HD) are the 3/4 ton ones with the 1500 being the 1/2 ton.  Am I all wet on this?

 

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The 1981 1-ton, regular cab, fleet side we had as a work truck was rated at 9,000, my 2001 HD2500, EC, is rated at 9,000. So to me that means they are just upping the capacities of each to out-do the other guy.

[DMAX Daddy]

HD trucks are a step up.

 

The 2500HD I had was a 1 ton frame, where a 2500 is 3/4 ton.

 

Same same, the 1500HD is a 3/4 ton frame where a 1500 is a 1/2 ton frame.

 

This was explained to me by a Chevy mechanic when I was looking at the trucks, but for the life of me I cant remember why they did it that way.

[taco]

HD trucks are a step up. 

 

The 2500HD I had was a 1 ton frame, where a 2500 is 3/4 ton.

 

Same same, the 1500HD is a 3/4 ton frame where a 1500 is a 1/2 ton frame.

 

This was explained to me by a Chevy mechanic when I was looking at the trucks, but for the life of me I cant remember why they did it that way.

 

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Thanks - thats what I thought -- I have also heard that the 2500HD was originaly suppose to be the single wheel 1 ton with the 3500 being the dually 1 ton, but so many people wanted a 3500 single wheel truck that they basically re-badged some 2500HD's to 3500's. Does anybody know if that is correct?