Understanding “how much does a truck weigh?” is essential when shopping for your next truck. In general, truck weight differs significantly depending on the Class. The weight starts with anything lower than 6000 pounds in Class one light trucks to anything greater than 33,000 pounds in Class 8 heavy-duty trucks.
Pickup trucks are one of the most popular vehicles in the United States. These unique trucks come with amazing power and towing capabilities making them suitable for many hard-working people.
One of the most important characteristics of the pickup truck is not only size but also weight. Understanding “how much does a truck weigh?”
This article provides you with detailed guidance on some of the common terminology related to truck weights. In addition, it explains the definition of the gross vehicle weight rating or the GVWR and the ton rating. Finally, it provides you with a list of pickup trucks weights by automaker and by Class.
What does the vehicle weight rating or GVWR mean?
One of the first times you will come across is searching for “how much does a truck weigh?” is the GVWR. The GVWR or the vehicle weight rating indicates the total weight a truck can go without causing any safety issues.
The GVWR includes the weight of the truck itself, the passengers, any attached trailer, the fuel, the cargo, etc. So, in other words, the GVWR is a number that a truck cannot exceed, and if it exceeds this number, some safety issues could affect you and the people around you on the road.
Here are some of the consequences that might happen when a truck exceeds the GVWR:
- Safety problems
- Damages to the vehicle itself affecting the transmission, tires, suspension system, etc.
- Loss of control, especially if towing a large trailer, which could disturb the balance of the vehicle
- Penalties and fines from governmental agencies due to violating the regulations
What does half a ton, three-quarter ton, at one time, etcetera mean when talking about full-size pickups?
Automakers classify pickup trucks by the capacity of the payload using what's known as the ton rating. Ton rating was the first type of classification in pickup trucks by capacity, and it was originated in the United States. The payload was not limited to anything sitting on the truck bed, but also it included the people inside the truck, the cargo space, the fuel, etc.
While when the designation by ton rating was used to classify pickup trucks by payload, the classification remained the same even though pickup truck sizes and capacities increased over the years.
In general, Ton rating classifieds vehicles into three main categories:
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Half-ton trucks
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Three-quarter ton trucks
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One-ton trucks
How much does a truck weigh for each truck’s classifications?
The current classification for pickup trucks is not limited to the ton rating. Instead, they are currently automotive industry organizers and classify as trucks by the GVWR, a more intuitive classification that dates on rating only.
Originally, commercial trucks were classified into eight categories starting from one to 8. Then, the Federal Highway administration decided to classify the pickup trucks using different broader categories, including the light, medium, and heavy trucks categories.
Therefore, automotive experts usually refer to any pickup truck using the two classifications. So, for example, you might see the same truck classified as Class one and light trucks to account for both classifications.
Let's take a closer look at how much does a truck weigh for each classification:
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Class 1: light trucks
The first classification of trucks is Class one, which refers to the smallest type of trucks that usually have a weight ranging from zero to 6000 pounds. In general, the average weight of a Class one or light truck is about 4000 pounds. Here is a list of the most common Class 1 trucks that you would see in the market:
- Honda Ridgeline FWD
- Nissan Frontier
- Ford Ranger
- Toyota Tacoma
- Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
- Jeep Gladiator
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Class 2: light and medium trucks
When it comes to Class till and trucks, things get a little confusing if not explained correctly. And Class 2, you will see both the light and medium trucks, and sometimes automotive experts split Class 2 into Class 2A and Class 2B to differentiate between the two.
For Class 2A, which is considered still a light truck, you'll see trucks weighing up to 8500 pounds, and on average most trucks in this Class weigh about 5000 pounds.
Some of the very common Class 2A trucks that you might see in the market include:
- Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500
- Nissan Titan
- Toyota Tundra
- Ram 1500
- Lexus GX
- Honda Ridgeline AWD
- Ford F-150
In the same Class, you will also see some medium-sized trucks approaching 10,000 pounds. Some of these medium-size trucks include:
- Ram 2500
- Nissan Titan XD
- Ford F-250
- Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500
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Class 3: medium trucks
Moving to Class 3, most trucks included in this Class are designed in the United States, except some of them are designed in Japan, including the Isuzu. Any truck heavier than Class 2A and up to 14,000 pounds is considered a Class 3 medium truck.
On average, most Class 3 medium trucks have a weight ranging from 6000 to 7000 pounds. Here is a list of some of the common causes of three medium-size trucks:
- Isuzu NPR
- Ram 3500
- Ford F-450 Pickup
- Ford F-350
- Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500
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Class 4: medium trucks
In Class 4 medium trucks, you'll see trucks weighing up to 16,000 pounds. While the average curb weight for these trucks ranges from 6000 to 8000 pounds, the bed configuration is a major factor and determining the total weight of this type of truck.
Here is a list of the common Class for medium trucks that you might see in the market:
- Isuzu NPR-HD
- Ram 4500
- Ford F-450 Chassis Cab
- Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD/International CV
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Class 5: medium trucks
Although most trucks in Class 5 look very similar to Class 4, you'll notice a big change in the vehicle's cargo as they focused on carrying the weight more than towing trailers or other vehicles.
You will see most classified medium-sized trucks and utility vehicles or people working for repair companies and farming. The maximum weight of Class 5 medium size is 19,100 pounds. Here is a list of the common Class 5 medium size trucks that you will see in the market:
- Ram 5500
- Ford F-550
- Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD/International CV
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Class 6: medium trucks
When you reach a Class 6 truck, you will no longer see the conventional pickup truck you saw in the previous classes. In this category, trucks can reach up to 26,000 pounds in weight, and the average weight of the curb can also reach up to 15,000 pounds. Keep in mind that the truck weight in this category differs significantly depending on the configuration.
Class 6 medium trucks, you will see a lot of different variations in terms of the chassis. For example, you can find a bucket, dump, flatbed, straight truck, etc.
Some of the common Class 6 medium-sized trucks that you will see in the market include:
- Ford F-650
- Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD/International CV
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Class 7 & 8: heavy trucks
The last two classes include heavy-duty trucks that you will see more in the dump trucks and the other fuel tankers. Usually, Class 7 trucks' weights range from 26,000 to 33,000 while Class eight trucks approach more than 33,000 pounds in total weight. Of course, the total weight varies significantly depending on the configuration and other factors in the truck.
How much does a one-ton truck typically weigh?
Although we indicated that the Ton rating designation does not necessarily represent the truck's actual weight, when you hear a one-ton truck, it indicates that the truck's weight is about 2000 pounds.
How heavy is a 1500 truck?
The 1500 truck weight differs depending on the model year. As of 2020, this truck has a total gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR ranging between 6800 and 7100 pounds. The weight of the curve itself ranges between 4798 and 5374 pounds when it's unloaded.
How much weight can a 2500 truck carry?
If you're referring to the 2020 ram 2500, the vehicle can tow anything up to 17,540 pounds. However, keep in mind that if you decided to go with the more advanced engine, not in the standard Class, you could achieve a towing capacity of 19,680 pounds.
What does the 150 in F-150 mean?
The number designation in the F-150 refers to the payload capacity. Therefore, you might see an F-100, which indicates that this truck has a payload capacity of 1000 towns. Thus, the F-150 indicates that this pickup truck has a payload capacity of 1500 pounds.
How much does a Ford truck weigh?
Ford produces many different trucks among all classes, which means that the final weight differs significantly depending on which truck you're referring to. In general, here are some of the common weights of Ford trucks from different models:
Truck | Year | Weight |
Ford F-150 | 2020 | 4,069 to 5,684 lbs. |
2019 | 4,069 to 5,697 lbs. | |
Ford F-250 | 2020 | 5,677 to 7,538 lbs. |
2019 | 5,668 to 7,526 lbs. | |
Ford F-350 | 2020 | 5,878 to 7,737 lbs. |
2019 | 5,859 to 7,725 lbs. | |
Ford F-250 Super Duty | 2020 | 5,668 to 7,526 lbs. |
2019 | 5,677 to 7,538 lbs. | |
Ford F-350 Super Duty | 2020 | 5,677 to 7.447 lbs. |
2019 | 5,859 to 7,725 lbs. |
How much does a semi-truck weigh?
The total weight depends on the configuration and whether it has a full or trailer cargo. In general, a fully loaded big rig semi-truck has a total weight of 80,000 pounds, whereas the semi-truck with a trailer has a total weight of 35,000 pounds.
How to choose the right pickup truck?
Buying a new or used pickup truck is a huge investment. Therefore, it’s crucial to evaluate the following factors before making a final decision:
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Your budget
The first thing you need to keep in mind is your budget. Pickup trucks are not cheap, and the cheapest one costs a little more than $30,000. However, going for the most expensive one, you might pay up to $100,000, especially if you're finding a vehicle like Ford super duty F-450.
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The right truck size for you
As we mentioned earlier, trucks come in different sizes and have a lot of different classifications. Therefore, it is important to review these classifications and make sure that you're choosing that truck that matches your goals and not to buy an oversized one that you will never need.
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Bed length and cab sizes
The vehicle's configuration is another important aspect to look at before purchasing any pickup truck. For example, some trucks have two doors that fit only two passengers. However, different configurations can fit more people. But, of course, the configuration is limited to the number of people you can drive and all other hauling and towing aspects that you need to review.
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The right powertrain platter
Checking the right powertrain platter is crucial because it defines exactly the amount of power the vehicle can't provide, which is an important factor in determining how much you can tow and carry on this vehicle. In addition, pickup trucks sizes can give you hints about the type of engine to expect.
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The weight and load limit
Finally, understanding the payload and towing limits is crucial, especially if you plan to use this truck to carry some material to construction sites.
Conclusion
Understanding “how much does a truck weigh?” It is very simple information, especially if you're shopping for and no or used truck. The market is filled with different trucks with a variety of sizes and weights.
In general, trucks weights differ significantly depending on the Class. For example, class 1 starts with any truck that is less than 6,000 pounds, while Class 8 approaches 33,000 pounds. Therefore, keep in mind that you might see different sizes within the same class, and it's recommended that you read through the description in detail they prevent purchasing the wrong truck.
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