Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

So my 1970 C60 has a 2 ton designation - but why? The doggone thing ways 10k pounds and payload is 14000. So where does the 2 ton come from? How much the tire weighs??? HAHA

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

14K - 10K = 4k = 2 tons. 14K is the total weight of vehicle and payload

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Actually, I believe his GVW is 24,000.

But good question, I've always wondered that myself.

Even a 1-Ton. My old '64 C-30 weighed 5,000 and carried 5,000.

Nothing 1-Ton about it, lol.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

You are correct my Va based friend. My gvw is 24000. Kinda goofy telling people I have a 2 ton truck but I have no idea why it is called that. I just change the subject.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Even my 9500. I would not refer to it as a 3-Ton, I would just say Tandem or sometimes Twin Screw Tandem.

But for some reason, 1-Ton and 2-Ton names stuck.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Well, it probably started out that way, then as years went by the empty weight and load capacity increased but the nomenclature stayed the same:

C-10 "half ton"
C-20 "three quarter ton"
C-30 "one ton"
C-40 "ton and a half"
C-50 "two ton"
C-60 "two and a half ton"
etc etc etc

My old C-50 GVW was 16K# but I think it only weighed about 6K# cab and chassis. Geez, half ton pickups weigh about that much these days.

In those days, there was no GCVW so I could safely ignore that ;)

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

I get asked this question a lot, here ya go :)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Interesting link.

Ton Rating well explained.

Thanks for posting it.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Why do they call it a 2 x 4 when they measure 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"?

It's just a nominal term for identification purposes. It's not the payload, but it's simpler to say. Plus, within the same series the payload can differ. Even a 1/2t pickup has different GVWs by engine. I had a SRW K3500 regular cab w/bucket seats with a 9,200 GVW. DRW would have given it 10,000 GVW. That's an 800# difference. How much more weight do you think DRWs, crew cab, carrying 2-4 more men would add? Mine would have more payload. Even GVW is relevant.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

So my 72 C50 is considered a class 7 because it has a 31,000 lb rating, 8,000 front springs and 23,000 rear?

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

My c60 have 24k rears and 9k fronts. My gvw is 24k which is what the dot is going to hold me to. I'd never try to go over the 24k.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

If your truck was factory built that way, it should have been a C-60. I never heard of a C-50 with that much GVW.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

My C70 has a GVW of 25,160, 9000 front, 16,160 rear. The rear axle is a Eaton 17201 which is capable of 23,000 lbs.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=721374

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

kinda on the same subject, why are there wide fender c50's, and narrow fender c60's ? seems like a 60 has a higher GVW than a 50. which is why the wider fenders and axles are used. but i am seeing them in either option

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

I was told it was a 50. could be a 60. what do you think?

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

It's a c50. First number in serial number designates the size.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

It looks like you do have a C-50, but to go in deeper detail, it seems like you have a 5000 Lb Front Axle (F-050) with 8000 Lb Springs on it. What does your GVW Plate state?

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

You should have a metal plate on drivers side door jam that designates the gvw.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Nobighurry, looks like we are both posting at the same time, lol. One minute apart on the last 3.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Yet again, great minds think alike. :)

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Ok. Guess it's "only" 24,000 gvwr.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Yep. I work my truck and 24k gvw is plenty. I wouldn't want any more with the old style single stage master cylinder. Braking is important.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Working on lowering weight capacity and increasing stopping capability.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

Even that is pretty heavy for a C-50. I believe most C-50's have a GVW of 19,500.

Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???
 

I agree. It looks like it has the heavy 10 lug wheels.