Half ton vs 3/4 ton

[CG]

What's really the difference in hauling capacity? Is a 3/4 ton really only good for an extra 500lbs?

Hauling stuff, towing stuff, unless you have a contracting business and haul bricks all day or pull heavy equipment, when is having a 3/4 ton really going to be that much better for most at home DIY guys and gals? For those of us that actually use our trucks as trucks that is.

[Mike C]

Not just 500#. The 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton ratings go WAY back to pre-war and have little to do with payload of trucks even of the 67-72 vintage.

Within each platform, how the truck is equipped dictates what payload is as well.

I had (3) 3/4 ton GMC at the same time, all 1970 models. The max payload for the C20 platform is 7500#. My big block longbed auto was rated at 7500# GVW. The 4 speed small block Longhorn truck was rated at 6600# GVW and the longbed 6 cylinder 3 speed was rated at 6200#. That's more than 1/2 ton discrepancy within the 3/4 ton platform.

The longbed 71 GMC big block currently in my driveway is max for the platform of 5400# GVW and as equipped at 4400#.

Some of the extra load capacity is taken up with heavier components. Frame, axles, brakes, springs etc. But even with that in mind, my 70 big block auto C2500 could carry 3000 pounds more than the 71 big block auto.

So the answer to your question is the 3/4 ton can carry a BUNCH more than 500# between 1/2 and 3/4 ton. But it still depends on the options the truck came with.

[CG]

I had a feeling it must be more than how I was picturing it.

Good info.

[Stocker]

I also look at it this way: I can overload the heck out of my K20 (right or wrong, I have done it many times) and I don't worry about breaking an axle. And if I ever manage to break an axle, the wheel & tire will stay attached to the truck instead of sailing off down the mountain or into oncoming traffic.

[Alex V.]

The 10/20/30 identification don't really tell the whole story - GVW does. I'm more of a 3/4-ton and up guy - half tons are fine for some but a lot of the stuff I do with my trucks would not be handled very well by a 1/2 ton without HD options.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I also look at it this way: I can overload the heck out of my K20 (right or wrong, I have done it many times) and I don't worry about breaking an axle. And if I ever manage to break an axle, the wheel & tire will stay attached to the truck instead of sailing off down the mountain or into oncoming traffic.

You got that right!

[CG]

I figured the weak link in each would be the axles. So whether you had a bunch of heavy duty this and that doesn't it all boil down to the axles?

[Steeveedee]

I know a farmer who put 2 tons of grain in his 3/4T truck to take home to feed his cows. It was on the bump stops, so he drove home at minimum speed, 14 miles. I'd never do that. I do not know how that strain affected his truck, but it couldn't have been good for it.

The limits posted on the truck are the manufacturer's recommendation for safe usage of the vehicle.

What if you have a small car like a Chevy Cobalt that is rated for four people, and they all weigh in at about 250 pounds? You know that happens. The manufacturer has to build in some margin of safety on their vehicles.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by CG

I figured the weak link in each would be the axles. So whether you had a bunch of heavy duty this and that doesn't it all boil down to the axles?

And springs..... and brakes..... maybe more?

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I know a farmer who put 2 tons of grain in his 3/4T truck to take home to feed his cows. It was on the bump stops, so he drove home at minimum speed, 14 miles. I'd never do that. I do not know how that strain affected his truck, but it couldn't have been good for it.

I do not recommend anyone try what I did decades ago. Needed topsoil and the nearest I could find was almost 50 miles away, over a mountain pass, 2-lane road with a lot of corners and I wasn't about to make two trips. The guy dumped a load of dirt in the bed, I told him there's room for more so he filled it. Don't think I got much over 45 on the drive home, the steering was a bit light and I had to allow extra room for braking. Took it out to the certified scale at the county yard, it weighed 11,300#. Went home and shoveled out the bed, went back and weighed it empty at 5,300#. An even 3 tons of topsoil. I've hauled plenty of heavy loads of firewood but that's the only time I ever verified the weight.

[bbrriiaann1973]

The only thing I want my 70 C10 to do now days is go in a straight line really fast. So 1/2 ton 2wd is my preferred truck. My C10 spent 30 years being a work truck I've had it for 45 years. Now it's just a fun truck to drive.

[toolboxchev]

I believe that somewhere on this site it describes the 3/4 ton rigs being made of a higher strength steel.

If your looking for real differences.