Dumb truck question

[USS Minnow]

I've been driving trucks all my life. I have had 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton an 1 ton trucks. After all this time I am still not sure what the "ton" rating specifically refers to. It doesn't seem to be the actual weight of the truck or the actual weight limit of the cargo. So what does it refer to?

[Jeremy]

These size ranges originally indicated the maximum payload of the vehicle, however modern pickups can typically carry far more than that. For example, the 2006 model Ford F-150 (a "½ Ton" pickup) has a payload of between 1,400 lb (640 kg) and 3,060 lb (1,390 kg), depending on configuration. Likewise, the 2006 model F-350 (a "1 Ton" pickup) has a payload of between 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) and 5,800 lb (2,600 kg) depending on configuration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickup_truck

[cimfl]

If you notice, the manufactures aren't using the "ton" in their discription of the trucks, simply F150, 250, 350, etc. I don't know for a fact, but I am pretty sure this all got started way back when the trucks were actually rated to carry this load capacity. Todays trucks have far exceeded this. A properly equipped Ford F-150 can carry over 2000lbs of cargo in its box. The frames on the Ford 250/350 are the same, the suspension is different, giving it a higher load capacity. We humans like to carry on tradition, so the 1 ton, 1/2 ton sayings stuck.

[Fish Mode]

Originally Posted by cimfl

If you notice, the manufactures aren't using the "ton" in their discription of the trucks, simply F150, 250, 350, etc. I don't know for a fact, but I am pretty sure this all got started way back when the trucks were actually rated to carry this load capacity. Todays trucks have far exceeded this. A properly equipped Ford F-150 can carry over 2000lbs of cargo in its box. The frames on the Ford 250/350 are the same, the suspension is different, giving it a higher load capacity. We humans like to carry on tradition, so the 1 ton, 1/2 ton sayings stuck.

A very good description!

[USS Minnow]

I would suspect that the Weights and Measures people would frown on calling something a "ton" if it isn't 2000 lbs.