You know Ford dropped the 3.5L Ecoboost engine into a 3/4 and 1 ton Transit vans.
Here is my ecoboost chugging down the road pulling 10,000 pounds. You tell me.
Still says private?
( 5th wheel has a 12,700 GVW and there is no way I would want a 1/2 ton in front of it. Uphill and level is nothing, it's a windy steep downhill that will take you to church.)
I think handrifles main point is the safety factor
- when descending a long high % grade,
and not feeling like years were taken off your life when the bottom of the hill is reached.
The diesel powered hd trucks that have an exhaust brake , add another safety layer if the trailer brakes fail or aren't up to snuf, and also the average 3/4 and 1 tons come with 10 ply E rated tires, whereas there are many half tons with 10 k in tow descending the same hills with p rated passenger car tires...
Give me the 3/4 ton- or better yet 1 ton diesel towing 10 k- when hill descents are involved.