When trucks are called 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton, what does that mean? I've been told two different things. One said that this is the towing capacity. So the F150 and F250 are identical except that the F250 can tow 1/4 ton more. Someone else said that the tonnage means what the bed can carry. So the F250 can carry 1/4 ton more in the bed of the truck, not necessarily tow more.

Is either of these correct or does it mean something completely different?

 

Hello e_, welcome to the board!

The terms ½-ton, etc., refer to the bed-carrying capacity. I can load my 250 with ~ 1650 lbs worth of junk and haul it to wherever my heart desires. The 150 is the 1/2-ton (which can actually carry close to 1250 lbs in the bed, if I'm not mistaken), 250 is the 3/4 ton, the 350 is the one-ton, etc.

The towing capacity of these trucks is much greater. My truck is rated to tow about 8700 lbs, my uncle (who has a 350 diesel) frequently tows his 12,000 lbs boat.

Hope this helps, see ya 'round the board.

Jim

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'99 F-250 LD 5.4L SC XLT 2WD in White/Silver (w/ EVERYTHING 'cept leather and engine block heater) -- added: SnugTop Hi-Liner & carpet kit, Donnelly electrochromatic/compass mirror, K&N filter, SuperWhite 9007 bulbs, IAS shocks, 3" Induction Airbox Mod, more to come... (Westin side bars, cat-back exhaust, electric fan, and Superchip are next)

 

Does not necessarily have anything to do with towing capacity. If equily equipped, a F-250 Super Duty can tow more than a F-350 Super Duty

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On Order: 2000 Super Duty Crew Cab XLT Long Bed V-10 w/ 3.73 Limited Slip. Mods & Accesories: Bugflector, VentVisors, Door Sill Plates, Blue Ion Halogen Headlight Bulbs, Head & Taillight Covers, Chrome Nerf Bars, Chrome Fender Trim, Full Billet Grille, Wiper Cowl, Xenon Air Dam w/ 4" Round Driving Lights, Rhino Liner, Fiberglass Cab-High Shell, K&N Air Filter, Borla Exhaust, and a SuperChip!! (Most accessories I already have...if only the truck would get here!!!)

 

I just traded in my lightning and got a F250 XLT 4X4 supercab,its got the 5.4,electronic 4 speed overdrive,limited slip 3.73,all terrain owl tires,sliding rear window,factory tonneau. the truck is Bright red clearcoat with chrome rims, very sharp and just as much fun to drive as the lightning.I was wondering what mods I could do to make it even nicer,exhaust superchip K&N.What have you guys done?
Barlitz

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Barlitz,
99.5 Black Lightning,
Hinge mount tonneau,
cd player,
bedliner,
lojack,

 

I think those "old" 1/2, 3/4 & 1 Ton ratings are obsolete with the introduction of the Super Duty trucks.
My F-250 Super Duty came with a Load Certification of 1931 pounds (in the bed). That makes my truck a "1 ton".
The F-350 has an even GREATER load capacity but will not exceed a SD 250's towing capacity.
My new 5th wheel trailer has a hitch weight of 1910 pounds and a GVWR of 12900. Neither of these weights exceed the capacity of my truck.

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html



[This message has been edited by J-C (edited 09-22-1999).]

 

I have an F250,1998 with 5.4 V8,3.73 rear and 4X4 offroads. The main reason I bought the 250 is that it has a 2300 pound payload and also can tow 1,000 pounds more than an F150. It is not a 3/4 ton Pick-up. It will carry you and a full ton all day long.

 

Maybe I'm showing my ignorance, but how is everyone coming up with the "payload" capability? My '97 F250 (5.4, E4OD, 3.73 rear, trailering package, XLT supercab SB) has a GVWR of 6800, and a GCWR of 13,500, and with the tank full, weighs in at 5000 (done at a public scale). Based on that, I "should have" a payload capability of 1800, and that includes driver and passengers. Or am I missing something???

 

Rockyptjoe.
You are calculating load capacity (almost) correctly. I say "almost", because driver & passenger(s) should have been included in the public scale weigh-in. (I think Ford estimates dirver/passenger at 140#)
In any event, your truck comes in pretty close to 1500# load capacity and can tow a trailer with a GVW of 8200# without being "overloaded".