truck payload rating system in america ?

[wushaw]

Another thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is that the pickup manufacturers changed their GVW ratings about (33?) years ago to avoid having to put catalytic converters on them and use unleaded gasoline. Personally, I don't remember the weight numbers, nor the exact dates, but for instance Ford used to have a "half ton" pickup that was an F100, but its GVW of (6,200?) meant it would have to use unleaded gas and have a catalytic converter, so Ford started building the F150 with a higher GVW rating in 1975 to circumvent the coming emissions standards. If I remember right, Chevrolet called their "half ton" pickup with the higher GVW rating a "Heavy Half", also.

I know we have members with a better memory than mine, but of course they might have to be nearly as old as I am to remember those things. So maybe someone can provide more details.

Bird; they put catalic converters on all half tons in 75 and it was earlier on the California ones, Chevrolet did have the Heavy Half that had one less leaf than a 3/4 ton.
GM had two different clasifications on the same trucks Chevy was C10, C20, C30 and GMC was K15, K25, k35.

I do belive if there was a rating on each truck they would have to leave the badges off the sides of the trucks and then what would we call them....? Just a truck?

When I got my Tacoma in September the nice ladies at the tag office decided to rate it as a half ton even though it's a 1/4 tow but it does have the same or better capabilities as older half tons, 6500lb tow rating and 1350 payload.

 

[herringchoker]

I believe Bird is right on this one. In the book "Ford Trucks Since 1905" by James K. Wagner (Copyright 1978, Crestline Publishing Co. Inc.), it states:

"A further escalation in emissions laws for 1975 forced automakers to equip most vehicles having 6,000 pounds gross weight and less with oxidizing exhaust catalysts which required extensive heat shielding and a steady diet of non-leaded gasoline. Recognizing that not all customers cared to utilize the higher-priced fuel or endure the inconveniences imposed by catalysts, Ford introduced the F-150 series of 6,050-pound conventionals which employed no catalyst and burned leaded gasoline. Billed as an F-250 with F-100 ride, the new series featured a 133-inch Regular Cab wheelbase; was offered as a 4 x 2 exclusively; and, available with the SuperCab but not the Crew Cab. The new Econoline 150 was likewise GVW-rated above 6, 000 pounds."

The author was a Ford Motor Company engineer at the time.

 

[mlauk]

I believe the 150 or heavy half was required to have a catalytic converter starting in 1978. If I remember right the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks required a catalytic converter in the early 80's.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've got the last year carbureted Chevy 20 for the CA market... 1985.

I was also limited to the 305 engine... no larger certified engine for the 1/2 and 3/4 ton CA market.

 

[LRH]

From '75 up through 78-79 the the LD/HD emissions break weight was 6,000 lbs. Ford had the F150 vs the F100, GMC had the "Heavy Half", Chevy had the "Big-10". Ordering the 6100 GVWR pkg got you 1 up front springs, 1 or 2 up rear springs, power brakes with tandem vs single diaphragm booster, thicker front rotor with larger inner bearing/race/seal, larger calipers w/ wider bolt spread, bigger piston, spindles (basically the light duty 20 series stuff) to go with the bigger inner bearing, and caliper, 11.15 x 2.75 rear brakes vs 11 x 2", L78 tires vs G-H78, thicker rims and a few other things. If a person wanted a cat converter, they could order some/most or the chassis options ala cart such as the brakes, upsized tires, heavy duty springs/shocks; but would not get the 6100lb GVWR plate rating, would probably get a 5600/5700lb rating versus a 5100lb or so rating. At some point the HD emission break point was moved to 8600lb so all half and LD 3/4 had to have converters/unleaded fuel.

 

[KICK]

havent posted here in awhile

got to looking a the this 1/2 ton thing..thought I'd tell a story.

We owned a New Holland 785 Skid steer loader. 2 months ago we sold it to somebody we know.

I asked buyer what they were going to tow it with??

his pickup. nice 4 door Chevrolet 1500 series shortbed, more or less Chebbies version of the Ford SooperCrew.

I told buyer it wasn't enough truck.. buyer said It was rated to tow 7000 Lbs.. I said that is marketing hype, you put 7000 pounds behind a 1500 series pickup and you will be sorry. plus add the trailer weight of about 2500 or so.. he's up to 9500 lbs at least

so anyway, he comes to pickup his new Skidsteer loader, and I just had to watch....it was funny. he hooked trailer to 1500 series Chevrolet and then drove the skid steer loader onto the trailer... basically pushing the back of the truck down onto the jounce bumpers... .. told him I would tow it to his place if he gave me gas money, he insisted he could do it with that 1500...

guy still insisted he was taking it home with that truck.. later on he called and said I was right about not being able to pull it.

truck wouldn't go above 35 mph... could not shift outta first gear.. he said something about it not stopping very well either. LOL.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not to bash GM but they put a 3.43 gear or something like that in most of the 1/2 tons. Ford and Dodge put a 3.73 and a 4.10 as a option. You can get the GM with similar gears but you have to order them. They do this so they can win the gas mileage war. My 2007 F-150 pulls 7,000# 150 miles every weekend fine and I am not easy on it. It averages 11 mpg with the load behind and 16.4 with no load. It has 3.73 gears. I have taken this truck with 7,000# on the back to Tennessee twice and the hills in the mountains down there rival any I have seen anywhere in the US. It will run fine at 70-75 on the highway.

My buddies has a boat that is 5,500# and he pulls it with a 2006 GMC 5.3 4x4. It does fine except when getting up to speed or passing on the highway. His truck has the 3.43's and my F-150 will walk away from him even though my truck is heavier and I am towing 1,500# more. He kicks himself for not getting lower gears but he does get about 18 empty. Pulling its the same or maybe even a little worse than my truck.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

It will run fine at 70-75 on the highway.

I can easily pull my tractor or our dual axle enclosed Scout trailer(our Scout troop has an enclosed trailer for all their gear) 75mph, but in Calif the trailer speed limit is 55mph Seems to me Oregon is the same?

My buddies has a boat that is 5,500# and he pulls it with a 2006 GMC 5.3 4x4. It does fine except when getting up to speed or passing on the highway. His truck has the 3.43's and my F-150 will walk away from him even though my truck is heavier and I am towing 1,500# more. He kicks himself for not getting lower gears but he does get about 18 empty.

A gear change is relatively inexpensive if you keep the same differentials. Ring and pinion, and labor is not too expensive.

 

[wkpoor]

I've said for years there should be 2 levels of light truck offerings. Simply light duty and heavy duty light trucks. I don't understand why they hold onto the 3 level system when there is barely any difference between 3/4 and single wheel 1 ton anyway.

 

[shvl73]

My 2008 F-150 came with 3.55 rears. I'm not sure what is standard but I have seen a lot spec'd w/ 3.73's. It'll be interesting to see how it tows if we buy a horse trailer.