Why all the hate on 1/2 ton tvs

rbpru wrote:
I have seen data to show improved weight capacity for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, but I have never seen data or advertisements that they will stop significantly faster than a 1/2 ton.

I also have not seen any data indicating they are less likely to rollovers. The bigger TVs may have bigger tires and a stouter suspension but you also have more rolling mass.

All TVs are designed to operate within certain parameters, how close to these limits or how much over you wish to go is nothing new.

TomG2 wrote:
This has nothing to do with them unloaded, only when both are towing 7,000 pounds and the electric brakes on the trailer fail to perform perfectly. Which brakes will have more capacity? Those on the 10,000 gvwr pickup or on the 7,500 pound gvwr model? Take a look at them sometime.

I tend to bring these points up in these arguments and nobody ever has anything intelligent to offer after I post it.

My Tundra weighs 6000ish pounds and lets say I tow a 9000 lbs trailer. I've got 15,000 lbs combined as I descend this fictitious mountain when my brakes go out.

Someone else has a Ram 3500 dually that weighs 7500 lbs (curb weight, not including any gear) and is towing a trailer that weighs 30,000 lbs. That Ram has 37,500 lbs combined as they descend this fictitious mountain when their brakes go out.

Now... you are telling me that the 37,000 lbs Ram will stop in a shorter distance than the 15,000 lbs Tundra will?

I highly doubt that is true. I would love to see if someone has empirical data to support this claim. It just doesn't add up to me.

Yes, I agree that a properly equipped and set up heavier truck will always handle better than a properly equipped and set up lighter truck. I don't think anyone will disagree with that sentiment. Lots of posters here have made the switch to a heavier duty truck. Good for them. The fact of the matter is that a lot of people cannot afford or justify the cost of a heavier duty truck when a half ton is PERFECTLY CAPABLE of handling their needs.

I'm not justifying people who exceed their weights. However I cannot understand the argument from some people here that a half ton is only capable of handling 75-80% of its rated values... but a 3/4 ton is "just as good as a 1 ton, it just doesn't have the extra 2" spacer". On one hand the engineers and testing on the half tons is way too liberal and they aren't safe to those weights... but on the other hand the 3/4 ton testing is too conservative and the 1 ton testing is accurate.

Now... who is pushing hyperbole on these forums?