Is this a can of worms?

Pretty much what I thought...of course 3/4 tons are better....and yes, 1/2 tons have come a long way.

Good points on the bed load capability.

No, I don't tow 9700k trailer! Much less than that. Thing is we had the truck before the trailer....so we matched a trailer to the truck.

Maybe next time I will have 3/4 ton or more...who knows...a 5th wheel could be next (years down the road!)

Yes - it's true that 1/2 tons are better than they were 15 years ago. HOWEVER, there is no comparison that the added strenght and stability of a 3/4 or 1 ton makes for a better tow rig period.

1/2 tons are better than they used to be. 3/4 tons are better than they used to be. 1 tons are better then they used to be. There is a LOT more to towing than the listed tow rating of any of these vehicles.

LOL
Who would have thought of 400HP/800TQ ten years ago :B And now we have a pickup which is rated to tow a 30,000 lb load :E Got to love the HP wars!

mleekamp wrote:
Okay, A friend with 3/4 ton Dodge noted my 1500 (half ton) has too little tow capacity. True, there is a difference, I don't argue that at all. But look at this...

in 2000, I had a 2500HD Chevy with a 10k tow rating (WD hitch)
in 2005, I had an F150 with 9500k tow rating (WD)
today, I have a 1500 GMC with a 9700k tow rating (WD)

Well sorry to say I would rather tow that 9,700# trailer with my 2001 Ram 2500 than a new 1500, running gear is still far more stout under a 12 year old 2500 than a new 1500. I will say the 1500 has improved brakes, but the Ram was still rated at 8,800 GVWR.

TomG2 wrote:
My 2012 Silverado 1500 had a payload capacity of 1,550 pounds. My 2013 Silverado 2500HD has a payload of 3,040 pounds. Therein lies the difference. If you decide to tow a 9,700 pound trailer with your 1500, you will be dangerous and disappointed.

Tow ratings and RVing do not mix well. Towing a boat at the tow rating with only a driver is usually under all ratings and plenty safe. An RV, not likely.

I do agree that today's half tons are more capable than those of thirty years ago.

I agree they accelerate quicker than year ago. Seems payloads are about the same, or a bit lower with the average equipment a lot more than 30 years ago.

TomG2 wrote:
If you decide to tow a 9,700 pound trailer with your 1500, you will be dangerous and disappointed.

I do agree that today's half tons are more capable than those of thirty years ago.

Wrong on your assumption of dangerous and disappointed. I tow 10K with the 1500 in my signature, which is UNDER the rated limit, in the mountains of the west and am very happy with the performance and the stability. I do NOT have to tow with that truck, as we have ¾t and 1 ton diesels at the ranch to use, but I find the Silverado is just as capable and more comfortable than the larger trucks, at that weight.

Bob Landry wrote:
You can hit over $60K for a F150 King Ranch with all the whistles and bells. That's a lot of coin for any truck, let alone basically a grocery getter.

F-150 trucks in Texas must be painted in gold leaf. I'll bet you can exceed $45K....But $60K? What kind of bells and whistles are on those babies?

mleekamp wrote:

in 2000, I had a 2500HD Chevy with a 10k tow rating (WD hitch)
in 2005, I had an F150 with 9500k tow rating (WD)
today, I have a 1500 GMC with a 9700k tow rating (WD)

I also currently have a 1979 Chevy with a 5k tow rating (WD).

My point to my friend is that over the years, the 1500 has become what the old 3/4 ton trucks were...they evolved. I keep within my tow rating no matter what, but am I correct thinking the half ton trucks have double capacity than what they used to?

What do you think?

Not sure they have DOUBLED. But I would agree todays 1500's are way beyond what a 1500 used to be some 10 to 15 years ago. More in tow capacity, but only somewhat more in payload capacity.

Since you are pulling a TT with a WD hitch, I think your 1500 will do it just fine. As long as your loaded TT weight is below the rating. The WD hitch should make your described tongue weight well under your payload capacity.

mleekamp wrote:
Okay, A friend with 3/4 ton Dodge noted my 1500 (half ton) has too little tow capacity. True, there is a difference, I don't argue that at all. But look at this...

in 2000, I had a 2500HD Chevy with a 10k tow rating (WD hitch)
in 2005, I had an F150 with 9500k tow rating (WD)
today, I have a 1500 GMC with a 9700k tow rating (WD)

I also currently have a 1979 Chevy with a 5k tow rating (WD).

My point to my friend is that over the years, the 1500 has become what the old 3/4 ton trucks were...they evolved. I keep within my tow rating no matter what, but am I correct thinking the half ton trucks have double capacity than what they used to?

Remember the 1500HD's? Ford even had F250 and F250 Super Duty (before it became just the SD model).

What do you think?

You are correct in that 1/2 ton trucks have greatly evolved. I have to question if they have progressed as for as the truck ads say they have. I towed 8000 lbs with a Tundra that's one of the stoutest 1/2 tons made. It was rated to pull 10,000, but I really felt that 8K was maxxing it, and I never did any heavy duty mountain towing with it, mostly Interstate and well paved level roads. I'm happier and more comfortable having traded up to a F250 and not worrying if I'm safe or not.
An example is the Ford Ecoboost. It may tow 11,300 and have a big payload according to the specs, but it will be interesting to see how a 6 cylinder, turbo or otherwise, is going to hold up to the rigors of continuous long distance, heavy towing with those turbos kicked in all the time. That's a lot of heat and a lot of stress on that motor, but Ford says it will do it. We'll see.
Bottom line is, when you're towing a heavy trailer across the Colorado Rockies, there's no substitute for payload capacity, braking capability, and cubic inches.