When discussing tow vehicles...

I have no problem with current OEM badging as I understand the wide variation in GVWR based on equipment. When the current monikers are used I at least have some design paramters in view vs. questions such as "can my truck pull this". GVWR alone does not tell the whole story either without knowing the weight of the vehicle. Ultimately the GVWR minus actual weight along with front and rear axle weight ratings are the real nuts and bolts coupled with drivetrain and individual component (receiver/hitch/wheel/tire/etc) ratings.

When you talk to most new vehicle sales people and start to talk about actual capabilities you. get a blank stare. Most can't tell you what rear-end gear ratios are available, let alone the GVWR of any particular model or configuration. It's no wonder that some consumers are clueless and end up buying something under-rated for their needs. The dealers want to sell what is on their lot and don't want to negotiate a deal for anything that isn't. It's easier for them that way.

bmanning wrote:

SolidAxleDurango wrote:

bmanning wrote:
You're thinking like that which you are-- an educated RV & tow vehicle enthusiast.

The average person has no clue about GVW, GCWR, etc etc

Key to marketing sometimes is to "dumb it down" to speak to the majority.

As neat (and progressive) as it'd be to see change, half-ton, 3/4' and 1-ton terminology won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

I'm not suggesting the marketing material go away.. Just that when we discuss things here, we use measurable and specific rating (I.e. The numbers)...

You're right, it would likely work on this forum as at least most here understand the numbers.

Disagree...even too much of the advice given indicative of not
understanding the numbers themselves, or what rating means.

How many times will someone say they are rated for XX,xxx lb trailer
because they read it in their manual. AKA...MTWR, but out of context.
How many times have 'some' tried to inform them that they need to go
out and weigh their setup to truly know what their 'actual' MTWR is

Or how many times will you read advisers here say GCWR is meaningless

Etc

Surprised someone hasn't posted a nice list of different brands & model years and their accompanying GVWs & GCWRs for reference.

Too many and confusing to most of the herd

Plus with this pure marketing verbiage...it covers every thing and
across many eras.

My 1980 C10 Silverado Big Ten (half ton of that era and the HD version
to boot) with a 6,200 lb GVWR was the BIGGER half ton of that year.
Regular half ton's of that year less than 6.2K GVWR

Today's regular half ton is in the +7K GVWR range

Then again it's Sunday, football's on, and making that list would be dangerously close to work.

There are many who will advise newbies that they can do it, as they
also have a half ton of the same badge (OEM)

Have been doing that for loong time with no problems

Have had 2 or 3 (can't remember anymore) PM me asking what the...

One guy wanted to sue the guy advising that he could do it. That
guy had one of the smaller GVWR 'half ton' from that same OEM, but
since smaller GVWR...burned up his diff and wanted to sue the adviser

The other guys said the trailer manhandled them, but how did that advise
buy do it?

Well, it turns out that those advisers have the "HD" version of half
ton for that same year, same OEM and had a +8K GVWR...well over 2,000
more GVWR...but still a 'half ton'...

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
We are not the herd. We are RV.net! We shall overcome!

Use that vernacular to get folks attention...

Am a technologist and bell curves a key component of most everything
done in design.

In design it is also known as tolerance. With the quality engineers
on my teams...it is part of their AQL (acceptable quality level) metrics

Using 'bell curve' does NOT get their attention as much as 'herd' (the
fat part of any bell curve)

Well, so far the Ravens are taking the Texans to school so maybe I should go get my truck washed. The temp is below a million for a change ....

SolidAxleDurango wrote:

bmanning wrote:
You're thinking like that which you are-- an educated RV & tow vehicle enthusiast.

The average person has no clue about GVW, GCWR, etc etc

Key to marketing sometimes is to "dumb it down" to speak to the majority.

As neat (and progressive) as it'd be to see change, half-ton, 3/4' and 1-ton terminology won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

I'm not suggesting the marketing material go away.. Just that when we discuss things here, we use measurable and specific rating (I.e. The numbers)...

You're right, it would likely work on this forum as at least most here understand the numbers.

Surprised someone hasn't posted a nice list of different brands & model years and their accompanying GVWs & GCWRs for reference.

Then again it's Sunday, football's on, and making that list would be dangerously close to work.

I hear you, bmanning, but I don't see the newbies who genuinely want to learn and so pose their questions along demonstrating that intent, as part of the "herd" at all. ;)

As for the marketing people ... i guess they have to earn a living too but I am sick of all of the truth-bending that they do just to sell something.

Sadly, I completely agree with your last paragraph.

bmanning wrote:
You're thinking like that which you are-- an educated RV & tow vehicle enthusiast.

The average person has no clue about GVW, GCWR, etc etc

Key to marketing sometimes is to "dumb it down" to speak to the majority.

As neat (and progressive) as it'd be to see change, half-ton, 3/4' and 1-ton terminology won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

I'm not suggesting the marketing material go away.. Just that when we discuss things here, we use measurable and specific rating (I.e. The numbers)...

You're thinking like that which you are-- an educated RV & tow vehicle enthusiast.

The average person has no clue about GVW, GCWR, etc etc

Key to marketing sometimes is to "dumb it down" to speak to the majority.

As neat (and progressive) as it'd be to see change, half-ton, 3/4' and 1-ton terminology won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Hehehe ... I like the term "herd" .... appropriate in so many of there fora ... :D