Honda Ridgeline hauling a Forrest River 201 BHXL

valhalla360 wrote:

Feel free to play semantics but it doesn't change the point....

1/2 ton trucks can range from 950 to 2500lb payload.

Our current 3/4 ton has 2700lb payload.

2500lb is pretty darn close to 2700lb and tow ratings of 10-11,000lb 1/2 tons aren't far from the 12,500lb tow rating on the 3/4 ton.

The key here is there are very few 1/2 tons that are configured and sold that have payloads above 2,000 lbs..

People see this..


Click For Full-Size Image.

But they MISS the little tiny fine print..

"1. Max towing of 14,000 lbs. available on SuperCab 8' box 4x2 and SuperCrew® 4x2 configurations with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine and
Max Trailer Tow Package (not shown). Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers.
Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR. 2. Max payload of 3,325 lbs. on Regular Cab 8' box 4x2 with 5.0L gas engine and Max
Trailer Tow and Heavy-Duty Payload Packages (not shown). Max payload varies and is based on accessories and vehicle configuration.
Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR."

Pay "darn good attention" to foot notes 1 and 2..

You will kindly notice that in order to get "darn near" "close" to 2K or more payload, you will have to buy a 4x2, you will have to buy the minimum cab size, you will have to buy minimum bed length. And while they do not directly and specifically state lowest trim level it is implied as the lowest trim level since they do state it "varies with accessories" and accessories are what your trim level is all about.

I count myself as the exception to most folks, I buy 4x2s, nearly everyone else buys 4x4s. I buy short bed XLTs, very few people do that. I order my trucks as minimal as possible for cost and cargo, very few people do that.

Buy off the dealer lot?

No way are you going to find a 1/2 ton with 2K lbs or higher cargo, most will be 1,200 or less..

There is no "magic" about it, the "class" a full sized 1/2 ton truck is limited to 8,500 lbs GVWR OR LESS.

Mid sized pickups are typically limited to 7,200-7,500 lbs GVWR.

To get a high cargo weight the curb weight of the vehicle must be the rock bottom possible which means the base vehicle with base features with no other options unless it is suspension upgrade or engine upgrade.

And for the record, I am not "playing with semantics", just reporting what the manufacturers state.

On edit, for clarity..

3/4 ton class is 10,000 lbs GVWR or less

unless they have changed the math recently, 10,000 lbs GVWR is 1,500 lbs more than 8,500 lbs GVWR..

1 ton class is 10,001 lbs up to 12,000 lbs.