Posted by Matt Wilson on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 8:31PM :
In Reply to: Re: Undersized brakes on new 3/4 -!ton Trucks?? posted by MoparNorm on Sunday, January 11, 2004 at 2:21PM :
Hey Norm, I'm not arguing that a 3/4-ton or 1-ton is not better for carrying heavier stuff, and I'm not arguing against buying the proper truck for the job at hand, but I do have to disagree with your assessment of 1/2-ton pickups. Half-ton is 1000 lbs, technically speaking, but as far as trucks go, this is only a name, just a nominal rating. My 1/2-ton Ford (or ferd, as you would call it) has a gross weight rating of just over 6000 lbs, and the empty weight (2WD) is just over 4000 lbs, so that leaves 2000 lbs of useful carrying capacity, or nearly so. Certainly is more than just "a few bags of cement." And that's true of any brand, Dodge, Ford or otherwise. By the same token, the 1-tons, although given the nominal rating of "1 ton" are actually capable of carrying far more than that, usually 4000-5000 lbs or more.
Most of the work I do does not involve towing heavy equipment, and just involves stuff for home projects, so my 1/2-ton is usually adequate. For those rare occasions when I need heavier hauling capacity, I use my '49 Power Wagon. I've carried as much as 6500 lbs of dirt in the bed of that thing...I wouldn't recommend doing it again, though. Even a Power Wagon has its limits.
Anyway, I just had to add in my couple of devalued penny's, and defend my 1/2-ton (ha, ha!)
Matt
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