This is an old question I've always wondered about. Forgive me if this has already been answered a 1000 times.

 

Huh, what?


phox

 

????????????

 

Inflation.

 

Hes saying why does a half ton truck haul more than half a ton-1000lbs.



Id say it started like the new battles. You know how chevy has the '1500hd', which is a 3/4 ton, and Dodge has a 1500 MEgaCab, which is an 8lug 3/4 ton. Its all about 'who has the strongest 1/2ton.' Dont know if thats what started the ratings, but thats whats its turned into.

 

i think you got your title wrong.

 

No hes got it right. Let me rephrase for him: Why does a 1/2ton truck haul more than 1,000 lbs (half a ton)...

 

They used to have accurate readings, 1/2 ton was rated for 1/2 ton and such.

The new F150HD can haul 3050lbs, of course that is a regular cab 4x2, anything else and the rating drops to the same as most 1/2 tons.

 

By hauling, I assume you mean payload capacity. Used to be that a half ton was just that, a pickup with about a 1000lb payload capacity. With pickup buyers wanting more and more out of their trucks these days, mfg'ers are now designing their "1/2 ton" trucks to carry more and more weight. They do it for bragging rights as well. They can also market the "Newer, better, stronger" 1/2 ton's to people who use their trucks a little more than Joe Schmoe and not have pay the higher prices of the 3/4 & 1 ton trucks. Face it people, there are still a lot of narrow minded folks out there who have no idea of the true value of a diesel pick up. They want something that rides like a car, that they can park in the garage, fill up at every corner gas station and tow the boat to the lake on the weekend. These are the people that these trucks are being marketed towards.

 

These designations 1/2 ton 3/4 ton and 1 ton are all very old. Originally 1/2 ton trucks only were capable of hauling 1/2 ton. But after a while the truck companies got into a weight race,of one ups man ship. So these designations aren't correct any more.

 

Safety factor of 20ish%

 

Or it is the simple fact that as drive line frame and brake components slowly improved, the carrying capacity slowly creeped up and up until they are where they are today all the while the designation "1/2 ton" remained the same....

 

Actually , the Big 3 quit making half tons unless you count the Ranger , Sonoma , and imports . The Ford F-100 and Chevy C-10 were half tons . This tells some reasons why trucks got heavier ratings . http://www.tpmcafe.com/node/28972

 

That is a good read with some interesting comparisons.

 

I like these pie in the sky ratings that the mfrs are marketing with now. Ford seems to have one upped Toyota in the fictitiuous load ratings of their trucks. They now rate a F350 (in the TV commercials anyway) at over 6000lbs load capacity, and the truck doesn't even squat when they put the "6000lbs" in it. What a crock. I've got a new F150 4x2 reg cab work truck, and first of all, even if it would carry 3000# +, the tires would pop. I've got load range E tires on it now because the permanent 1000lbs I haul in it would squeeze the air out of the crappy factory tires. Even 1000lbs causes the rear end to squat quite a bit. Overload springs have helped that out.