what defines a 3/4 ton?

Yes, the ton ratings are out of date. But I remember when somebody mentioned "Super Duty" you knew they where talking about a gas powered class 8 Ford...

ShinerBock wrote:
Nothing defines a 3/4 ton. It is not a term used by the industry. It used to be defined by payload decades ago, but not anymore. The term 3/4 is subjective and can change from person to person in its meaning. What does matter is the class the vehicles is in which is based on GVWR. Most 3/4 tons are in class 2b which has a GVWR range from 8,501 to 10,000 lbs.

About a decade a ago, all 3500 SRW trucks were in this class. Now most 350/3500 SRW truck are in class 3 which has a GVWR from 10,001 to 14,000 lbs. There is no law that states a manufacture has to put a 250/2500 truck in class 2b, and they can put them in class 3 if they want just like GM. They can also put a 350/3500 in class 2b like Ford does.

However, the problem with class 3 for commercial fleets is that anything over 10,000 GVWR has added regulation and cost associated with them so it is beneficial for manufacturers to make their GVWR below 10,001 lbs.

So to answer your question. The term 3/4 ton is just an old term that does not mean anything and is used by common folk because they don't know any better. Many still use it because that is what they were taught and they are resistant to change even if it incorrect. It is like the term "weight" many use for oil. It is incorrect, but people have been using it for years and are resistant to change.

Like many terms they start with a technical definition but over time, the term sticks around but the definition may change. It's still standard usage to refer to 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

And yes, you still see manufacturers referring to the highest rated ???? for a 1/2 ton truck in their advertisements and by automotive media when they do testing.

It very much terminology still in use in the modern world.

If you have a 250/2500 series truck and you tell someone you have a 3/4 ton truck, you will get a response appropriate to the truck you have. (If you refer to it as a 2500 series, you will likely get responses that call it a 3/4 ton.)

If you look at the payload on your 1/2 ton truck and call it a 1 ton because it's one of the 1/2 ton trucks with a higher payload, you likely will get incorrect information.

This is all well established and other than people trying to be pedantic, causes no confusion.

Similar example:
- We still call the pedal used to accelerate, the throttle even though diesels and many modern fuel injected cars do not have a traditional throttle.
- It's also often refereed to as the gas pedal...even if it's a diesel engine.

Most people have no idea that "throttle" refers to an engine part but in common usage it's the device that controls engine power.

JTrac wrote:
GM's new 2500 has a GVWR of 11,350 with the Duramax. That used to be one ton territory.

And all SRW 3500 trucks used to be under 10k GVWR before 2006 which is 3/4 ton territory.

JTrac wrote:
The old nomenclature may be outdated but it's easier to say I have a 1/2, 3/4, or one ton truck instead of trying to explain I have a Class 1, 2 or 3.

Or you can just say the model/name of the truck.

GM's new 2500 has a GVWR of 11,350 with the Duramax. That used to be one ton territory.

The old nomenclature may be outdated but it's easier to say I have a 1/2, 3/4, or one ton truck instead of trying to explain I have a Class 1, 2 or 3.

Nothing defines a 3/4 ton. It is not a term used by the industry. It used to be defined by payload decades ago, but not anymore. The term 3/4 is subjective and can change from person to person in its meaning. What does matter is the class the vehicles is in which is based on GVWR. Most 3/4 tons are in class 2b which has a GVWR range from 8,501 to 10,000 lbs.

About a decade a ago, all 3500 SRW trucks were in this class. Now most 350/3500 SRW truck are in class 3 which has a GVWR from 10,001 to 14,000 lbs. There is no law that states a manufacture has to put a 250/2500 truck in class 2b, and they can put them in class 3 if they want just like GM. They can also put a 350/3500 in class 2b like Ford does.

However, the problem with class 3 for commercial fleets is that anything over 10,000 GVWR has added regulation and cost associated with them so it is beneficial for manufacturers to make their GVWR below 10,001 lbs.

So to answer your question. The term 3/4 ton is just an old term that does not mean anything and is used by common folk because they don't know any better. Many still use it because that is what they were taught and they are resistant to change even if it incorrect. It is like the term "weight" many use for oil. It is incorrect, but people have been using it for years and are resistant to change.

If that's the case, my 5500 is a 4.5 ton truck.

A 3/4 ton is defined as 1500 lbs according to my way of thinking.:)

Forget marketing badges, they change willynilly to suite marketing chasing whatever is selling

Best to use real numbers, and that is arguable

GVWR, GAWR are what I look for

"Half ton" rear GAWR tops out around 5,000 lbs (7 lug wheels and what I refer to as fake half ton). Most in the 4,000 range

There are other attributes (8 lug wheels, bigger frame, etc) but the RGAWR is my main determination

I believe nomenclature came from back in the day when it actually referred to the payload of the different classes (or at least relatively close payload).

Trucks have progressed beyond that, but the name still lingers on.

Mike