what defines a 3/4 ton?
If it's payload capacity, then why isn't a properly equipped F150 considered a 3/4 ton truck?
Forum Discussion
ShinerBock wrote:
So the consensus here is that even though the terms 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and 1 ton used to mean what the truck can haul, it is not based on it's model/name designation since trucks have outgrown these ratings decades ago. So anything with a 1 in its name/model is a 1/2 ton, anything with a 2 in t's name/model is a 3/4 ton, and anything with a 3 in its name/model is a 1 ton regardless of actual capabilities and ratings.
In that case. What about a Toyota Tundra? It has no number in it's name and neither does the Titan. Then there is the Titan XD which is in the same class 2B as most other 250/2500 trucks. Then there is the new GM 2500 trucks which have more capabilities than previous years 1 ton trucks. Lastly there is the F450 pickup which is in the same class 3 as the other 350/3500 trucks. Is that considered a 1 ton too or a 1 1/4 ton. Is there someone making up the rules on what truck is considered what that we must all have to follow or does it change from person/age group from another based on opinions.
It's marketing as much as anything. If you have a 1/2ton truck with a 1000lb payload and next year, it ups to 1500lb...do you confuse your buyers by eliminating the 1/2 ton model...which is also the biggest and most profitable vehicle in your line up? Only an idiot would be pedantic enough to do that when everyone actually knows that it's a model designation not a technical spec.
The asian models...for whatever reason they have chosen not to follow industry convention but they really make up a minuscule portion of the market, so most don't care and those who are interested, can look up the actual specs. I would argue it's a mistake on the manufacturers end not to align with industry convention. They are fighting an uphill battle to begin with moving beyond the small pickups. Making it unclear where their truck models fit into the system means a lot of potential customers never bother to check them out as they don't market a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.
The vast majority of people considering 450/550 and up...they know and understand the ratings, so there is no confusion.
