Why all the hate on 1/2 ton tvs

spoon059 wrote:

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?

Not sure I get your point. I have a dodge 3500 dually, are you asking me would I rather be coming down a mountain with by dually hauling 30000pds or your set up hauling 9000pds. Considering my dually would be overloaded by 10000pds think I would prefer being the halfton a few hundred pounds over.

Not sure what this proves though, the main topic in those types of arguments is keeping in the limts and driving responsible. You see just as much negative comments toward 3/4 ton trucks, and if there were 30000pd trailers people would be telling the dually guy he is crazy.

My dually handles great with 15000 pds behind it, about 5k less and roughly 2000pds of extra payload. My half ton handled great with a 6000pd camper, about 500pds of payload to spare. Did not tow great at 8000pds and about 50 pds of payload to spare. Do I think my dually will handle great at 19000 pds and 400 pds of payload left, NOPE. But both in its limits, need to drive what you feel compfortable with and roll the dice as you see fit.