What is a 3/4 ton pickup?

[Geewizard]

Since we all drive campers with pickups underneath, I suspect many will have an opinion to this question: just what constitutes a 3/4 ton pickup? Axle capacity? frame strength? brakes? GVWR? Payload? Hearsay? Common knowledge? The grocery store checkout person?

I ask because my Tundra has a payload of 1600-1800 lbs (depending on what you read). That makes it a 3/4 ton pickup in my mind. I've been hauling 1600 lbs at least once a week since I bought mine new. And there's no issues (other than one wheel bearing self-destructing at 89k).

This is a serious question, not a post to incite a riot.

thanks

[scottz]

Geewizard wrote:
Since we all drive campers with pickups underneath, I suspect many will have an opinion to this question: just what constitutes a 3/4 ton pickup? Axle capacity? frame strength? brakes? GVWR? Payload? Hearsay? Common knowledge? The grocery store checkout person?

I ask because my Tundra has a payload of 1600-1800 lbs (depending on what you read). That makes it a 3/4 ton pickup in my mind. I've been hauling 1600 lbs at least once a week since I bought mine new. And there's no issues (other than one wheel bearing self-destructing at 89k).

This is a serious question, not a post to incite a riot.

thanks

To be clear, your truck is not a 3/4ton, its payload ratings are about half of todays 3/4ton trucks.

[Reddog1]

free radical wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
If the average consumer has no idea what "class 2" means, then why is it "better?"
The average consumer knows what F150, F250, F350 mean. They know what 1500, 2500, 3500 mean.

If the average consumer knows, we would not be having this discussion. I really do not think they do know. On some trucks, you really have to get into the speck to determine the difference between a 2500 and 3500. They share many of the same parts.

Could be bc some folk just like to confuse themselves and others !? 🙂
Manufacturers classify half ton as 1500
Three quarter ton as 2500
And 1 ton as 3500,,
I'm guessing that 4500 would be 2 ton and so on..

How much weight exactly can each truck carry depends on the options and drivetrain,
4x4 will be able to carry less then 2 wheel drive for example..
Theres a sticker in the glove box on every new truck that shows this

You state "Manufacturers classify half ton as 1500
Three quarter ton as 2500 And 1 ton as 3500". In my mind, your logic that a "4500 would be 2 ton" does not compute. Following your logic suggest to me the 4500 would be a 1-1/2 ton, a 5500 would be a 2 ton.

It could be some folk just like to confuse themselves and others, but I think it is a reasonable question. I do agree much weight exactly can each truck carry depends on the options and drive-train.

[free_radical]

Reddog1 wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
If the average consumer has no idea what "class 2" means, then why is it "better?"
The average consumer knows what F150, F250, F350 mean. They know what 1500, 2500, 3500 mean.

If the average consumer knows, we would not be having this discussion. I really do not think they do know. On some trucks, you really have to get into the speck to determine the difference between a 2500 and 3500. They share many of the same parts.

Could be bc some folk just like to confuse themselves and others !? 🙂
Manufacturers classify half ton as 1500
Three quarter ton as 2500
And 1 ton as 3500,,
I'm guessing that 4500 would be 2 ton and so on..

How much weight exactly can each truck carry depends on the options and drivetrain,
4x4 will be able to carry less then 2 wheel drive for example..
Theres a sticker in the glove box on every new truck that shows this

[covered_wagon]

Geewizard wrote:

covered wagon wrote:
I think all pick ups are half ton. To make 3/4 or one ton rating it has to have diesel, 4wd, air bags and stick shift.:)

Geewizard, can you tell us what fuel mileage you get with your Toyota and camper?

Thanks, I'm might be going to downsize someday and think that is a simple way to go.

I get from 9.5 to 12 mpg with the camper on, depending on the usual variables.

Thank you, I like those Toyotas. Sometimes it feels like I'm hauling a huge behemeth with my Norrthern-Lite 10-2 even on an upgraded 3/4 t. camper package truck.

[JumboJet]

Some of you might not remember, but back in the late 40's, 50's, & early 60's a GMC pickup was heavier duty than the equivalent Chevrolet.

[Peg_Leg]

Back in the 70's you could park a half and a 3/4 side by side, then stand in front of them and see the difference. Now days I'm not so sure.

[2oldman]

Those tags don't mean much.. but will be with us a long time, like "unleaded."

[Geewizard]

covered wagon wrote:
I think all pick ups are half ton. To make 3/4 or one ton rating it has to have diesel, 4wd, air bags and stick shift.:)

Geewizard, can you tell us what fuel mileage you get with your Toyota and camper?

Thanks, I'm might be going to downsize someday and think that is a simple way to go.

I get from 9.5 to 12 mpg with the camper on, depending on the usual variables.

[Desertboy]

My 1995 3/4 Ton stock dodge will handle a lot more weight than my 2006 f150. And the ford has timbrens. They arent even in the same class. 3/4 ton has heavier leaf springs, axel, rear end. I wouldnt dream of putting my avion on the ford even with the timbrens. Yet it hardly even squats the stock dodge. There is a huge difference.

[Terryallan]

In truth. As I stated. Calling a F150 a 1/2 ton truck is just wrong. All of them are closer to 3/4 ton than anything else. The 1/2 ton of today. Has more payload, and towing capacity than the 3/4 ton truck of 1990. 1/2 ton, and 150, or 1500 do not belong in the same sentence, nor does 3/4 ton and 2500 belong in the same sentence.

[Terryallan]

Dog Folks wrote:

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
Same reason some people use the term 'bumper pull'. Just unable to move on.

With all due respect, as I have a Travel Trailer.

What term is common today?

I have always called it a Travel Trailer or bumper pull.

But then again, I'm old.

We call them "Tagalongs"

[KD4UPL]

mkirsch wrote:
If the average consumer has no idea what "class 2" means, then why is it "better?"

The average consumer knows what F150, F250, F350 mean. They know what 1500, 2500, 3500 mean.

I completely disagree, that's the point, those badges are meaningless. Just look at the shear number of "can my truck haul/tow this?" threads. Nobody knows what their truck is actually capable of.
F150s come in what, about 3 or 4 different GVWRs? I think the F350 can be ordered with 3 different GVWRs. 1500 trucks of today have almost as much payload capacity as 2500 trucks of a few decades ago.

If I say I have a Chevy 2500 and give no other information no one has a clue what the truck is rated for. Depending on the year and configuration it's all over the place.

[trail-explorer]

My definition:

a 3/4 ton pickup is one that isn't heavy duty enough to haul a hard sided camper 10' or more in length.

[Desertboy]

I will just say that the rear axel under my 3/4 Ton 12 valve and the Pumpkin are much bigger than that under my f150,

[Reddog1]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
1/2 ton, 3/4 ton etc. has nothing to do with vehicle/load weight- it's the weight of the cash you're going to fork over for whatever you decide to buy.

This is probably the most logical explanation.