LD1
Epic Contributor
My 2003 Sierra 2500HD is only rated to tow 10,500 lbs because I have the lowly 6.0L LQ4 gasser. But! The very same chassis would be rated at over 18000 lbs if I had the duramax, so mine is essentially just de-rated for power and marketing considerations.
One could essentially say the same thing about half tons.
Some have a 13k tow rating with equipped with the bigger engine option and higher gearing. While lower gearing and smaller engine may only have a 6k tow rating....one could say its essentially just de-rated for power and marketing, but still has the same chassis that is rated for 13k
At the end of the day, there is just too many variables. Half tons cover a very BROAD range of towing capacities and payloads. As do 3/4 tons, SRW one tons, and DRW one tons. And each of those 4 groups of light trucks have overlap.
So the blanket statements that we see on this forum from time to time advising people "you should get a 3/4-ton" are unfounded without further information from the OP on just what he has for a truck and what its ratings are. And one thing everyone usually cites is brakes. (bigger truck has bigger brakes). Well, look at the size of the brakes on modern half tons. They have gotten ALOT bigger