Highbeam said:
Lots of people are hung up on 3/4 ton vs 1/2 ton when they haven't actually done the math. Neverenough, perfect name, falls in this category since it is apparent that he likes his truck and assumes that we all need the same thing. It is true that a 3/4 ton can do everything that a half ton can do and more so I can see where folks like him would dismiss the lesser trucks without close examination of the load to be carried, empty weight, current ratings, etc.
I would like a one ton truck too. I like the idea of increasing the safety margin, but, I will not fault someone for using their truck to its rated capacity.
Let me explain REALITY to you a little, seeing as you just aren't getting it and need to start getting personal to defend yourself. Ford, for example, uses 2 styles of axles on their light duty line of pickups (note: even though they call them "SUPERDUTY", they are still in the light duty catagory). The half ton trucks use what is commonly refered to as a semi floating rear end. The inner axle slides into the carrier and is held in place by a retaining clip. It just "floats" in the carrier. The outer part of the axle has a bearing pressed on it, right next to the flange to mount the wheel. I have broken a few axles between the bearing and the flange. Know what happens when it breaks there??? The tire, wheel, flange, and BRAKE DRUM, seperate from the vehicle! Not real safe hauling a large load. Now in the case of Ford 3/4 and 1 tons, they use what is refered to as a full floating axle. The tire, wheel, and brake drum, are mounted to the axle housing with a bearing on either side of the assembly, locked onto the housing with 2 large retaining nuts. The axle then slides into the housing and the axle flange is bolted to the rotating assembly. The axle carries NO weight at all, it "fully floats", it only transfers torque from the rear gears to the outer wheel assembly. The axle housing carries the weight.
So, you can read numbers until your eyes fall out, but the FACTS remain, if you use a half ton to it's capacity too much, axle failure will happen. Been there, done that! Yes, I have lot's of experience loading half tons to their capacity, and I also know, if you do it a lot, they will start breaking. You will also prematurely wear out the axle housing and the seals will start leaking. At this point, you have to repair the housing, or replace it. This is why I stated in my post it would be ok to do it once in awhile, but if you do it often, you need to move up to a 3/4 ton.
Now mah spel chekr iz dun broke! 
