Why's it called a 2 ton???

[Nobighurry]

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

[rpmerf]

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

[C10 - C90 Bill]

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.

[Nobighurry]

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.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

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.

[1976gmc20]

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

[Killer Bee]

I get asked this question a lot, here ya go

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

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Interesting link.

Ton Rating well explained.

Thanks for posting it.

[special-K]

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.

[Gokart Mozart]

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?

[Nobighurry]

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.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by Gokart Mozart

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?

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.

[Airdirect]

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

[jerry.t]

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

[Gokart Mozart]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

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.

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

[Nobighurry]

Originally Posted by Gokart Mozart

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

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

[C10 - C90 Bill]

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?

[Nobighurry]

Originally Posted by Gokart Mozart

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

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

[C10 - C90 Bill]

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

[Nobighurry]

Yet again, great minds think alike.

[Gokart Mozart]

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

[Nobighurry]

Originally Posted by Gokart Mozart

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

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.

[Gokart Mozart]

Working on lowering weight capacity and increasing stopping capability.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by Gokart Mozart

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

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

[Nobighurry]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

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

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