VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans Truly dumb topic

OK, I know that I'm not the only one who doesn't know this because it came up in a conversation at the local parts store.

The usual pickup is referred to as a half ton. Then there are one ton, one and a half ton and two ton trucks.

My '49 Chevy 4400 is rated at 11,000 lbs load capacity. It weighted 6,920 lbs this morning empty (I wasn't in it either) when I drove it to the elevator to get a month's worth of heating corn (about 4000 lbs).

So, my ton and a half truck weighs 7,000 lbs empty and has a load capacity of 11,000 lbs (9 tons fully loaded). So why it is a "ton and a half" truck?

Harrell Sellers
Brookings, SD

From the 1949 truck data book;
Today nominal ratings ( 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton etc) do not indiacte the carrying capacity of Chevrolet trucks. Gross vehicle weight (G.V.W.) rating is the true measure of a trucks weight-carrying ability . and should always be discussed with the operator. Chevrolet trucks and school buses are built in 20 (different) series with gross vehicle rattings ranging from 4000 to 16000 pounds, to cover a wide range of uses.

Heavy-duty options for series 4000

Of great importance is the heavy-duty option group which increses the vehicle gross vehicle weight rating of series 4000 trucks (nominal ratting 1 1/2 tons) from 11,000 pounds pounds Max to to 12,5000 pounds max.

Hope this hepls a little

Thanks, Chevgene. That is some information. But it doesn't explain what the 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton, et cetera means....

HS

The weight of the pay load for a 1/2 ton truck is-
1000 for a Suburban and panel, 1200 pounds for a pick-up, etc. The pick-up has a greater pay load rating because the truck its self weights less.
The 3/4 to PU is 2100 pounds and the 1 ton is 2500 pounds. The one ton panel is 2355 pounds.The gross vehicle weight for a 1/2 ton pick-up is
4600 pounds with 15" 6 ply tires
4500 with 6.50x16 6 ply tires
4200 pounds with 6.70X15 6 ply tires
4200 pounds with the standard 6.00x16 6 ply tires.

The curb weight of a 1/2 ton PU was 3325 pounds ( with gas, oil etc)
Pay load is figured with 100 per cent of the weight on the rear wheels.

Would be best described as 1/2 ton = small, 3/4 ton = medium and 1 ton = large for pick-up etc.

Lee are you sure the load capacity is 11,000 lbs or the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is 11,000 lbs. I suspect the latter. If you subtract the empty weight from the GVW it gives the load capacity. The maximum legal weight for a vehicle on state and Federal roadways is 110% of the GVW. Guess they give you 10% just to be nice. If over that they impound the truck and give you an invitation to donate to the betterment of your fellow citizens. The truck can't be moved (except for safety reasons to the closest non-hazardous location [not determined by you]) until it weighs less than the GVW. Trust me you don't want to have them catch you overloaded.

In your example 7000 lb truck 11,000 lbs GVW = load rating 4000 lbs or 2 tons.

Can't you think of more important topics to ponder? Like How high is up? or Do the trees moving make the wind blow? How about this one...If tin whistles are made of tin, what are fog horns made of? You guys should try to spend your time more constructively. Is constructively a word? There's another important question to be answered.

Mike

Ponder this: How come water doesn`t go up your rear when you go swimming??? Maybe it`s just one of those mysteries of life.

hoppy

Hi Mike,

hows about I send you an application to join the VCCA? This would increase your interest in our forum.

Yeah, Chipper, the tag on the inside of the driver's side door well says max. gross weight 11000. This is 2 tons above the vehicle weight empty. I took that to mean the weight of the load.

HS

Some times we read what our brain already knows even if it is not exactly what is on the paper (or screen). I do it way to often.

Sorry 35Mike, You have been overuled by the review boy. Mr. Iban Gottchee!!
A discussion of the weight classificaion for 1/2,3/4,1,2,3,and 4 ton Chevrolet trucks is proper and ok here, no matter if it don't make sense to you, or if it really is a truly dumb topic.

However....Your stuff about whistles of Tin, Fog or whatever materials and classification is not OK for this truck forum. You should have posted them over at the Whistles, Smoke & Bells forum.

Now....if you are interested in becomeing a certified VCCA member, then we will accept you and even your Bells, Smoke and Whistles attitude along with your appreciation for Chevrolet Trucks and having fun!

:vcca:

Thanks, Mr. Mack. There should be a two drink maximum for posting comments on the internet.

HLS