Pickup trucks often pack a big engine, seating capacity, and a serious payload
Weight has some implications for a vehicle’s performance and abilities
While not likely a major factor in purchase, the weight of a pickup can determine how easy it is to tow and how safe it is
Pickups come in a variety of weights, depending on the class
A small pickup truck can weigh around 4500 lbs while a bigger, standard truck can tip the scales at up to 5,500 lbs
A heavier duty truck can start at 6,500 lbs and a 3500HD truck can add some heft at 7,000 lbs or more
We’ll learn a bit more about trucks and what adds the weight
You might also be curious about how a truck that weighs 5,500 lbs can manage to tow more than its own weight
There are a few other reasons why knowing the weight of a truck can be important
We’ve towed and used trucks often
We’ll look at manufacturer websites and other sources to learn the source of weight within trucks
We’ll also look at the numbers associated with towing and weight
Weight can vary between trucks
Weight can vary between trucks
One difference-maker in the weight of a truck is the cab size
A regular cab truck without a true back seat, and possibly with one or two doors, will be lighter than a double cab or crew cab
A double or crew cab adds some weight with the addition of hardware for a door, and a bench seat
The weight difference here is usually around 200-300 lbs when moving from a regular cab to a double cab, and around 500 lbs when going to a larger crew cab
Just like trying to move furniture or other large, heavy objects, having the right leverage is very helpful in letting a 5,500 lbs truck tow more than 10,000 lbs
A pickup truck like a Chevrolet Silverado or Toyota Tundra has a particular wheelbase, axel strength, suspension, gear ratio, and engine size
When spread out the right way, trucks make it readily possible to add a trailer that connects right to their frame
When distributed properly between 2 front wheels and sometimes 4 back wheels, a pickup truck can pull up to 2 to 3 times its own weight, like a 6,500 lbs 3500HD truck pulling along a horse trailer or construction supplies weighing 14,000 lbs or more
Towing can make a big pickup truck very useful
Towing also requires a bit of knowledge about the truck and trailer being towed
Knowing your truck and its towing capacity is very important for your safety and the safety of others
Let’s start with the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating, or GCVWR
The GCVWR is the combined weight of literally everything in your truck and trailer
You’ll want to consider the weight of the people in your truck, the tools you keep, and anything else that you added
While it’s possible to look up the GCVWR online, it’s also easy to find the wrong number because of the variety of packages offered for trucks
You’ll also want to know your vehicle’s curb weight
This is the manufacturer’s known weight of your vehicle plus all the fluids that make it run
You’ll need to know how much the trailer weighs and the weight of the vehicle or materials you are towing, too
These are important because you don’t want to exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity
You are actually better off not towing within 10% of the capacity
One of the biggest reasons not to tow within 10% of the capacity is because it’s easy to get the weight slightly wrong or forget something
You might also end up throwing something extra in the truck bed that pushes the weight higher
A truck is designed in a specific way to be able to turn and stop with a maximum amount of weight behind it
Adding too much weight could readily compromise your ability to maneuver your truck, which is especially bad in traffic
It’s bad news for everyone around you if you can’t keep your vehicle on the road even in sudden, extreme situations
The answer is “kind of”A heavier vehicle is less likely to be pushed around in a high-speed accident
The reality is that the occupants in larger trucks are more likely to be safe than average is mostly because of their height and compartments
The distance between the engine compartment and the passengers is greater in a truck than in a sedan or SUV, simply because the engine is bigger
A pickup also rides higher, so it is less likely to have the upper parts of the truck – near your head – involved in an accident
You might have heard different weight classifications for trucks, including a half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one ton
These do not refer to the actual weight of the truck – as most all vehicles weigh significantly more than one ton
You are actually hearing about the payload capacity
The numbers are also not necessarily accurate anymore – and used to be a good way of referring to different loads
Pretty simple, a “one ton” truck is usually at 3500 while three quarter won is a 2500HD, and a half-ton is a standard pickup truck
You’ll want to look up the actual payload capacity of your truck instead of relying on the general terminology
The actual weight of a truck shouldn’t be a big factor in deciding which one to get
If you are concerned about the towing capacity, you’ll notice that the larger vehicles are heavier, but also offer a higher gross weight
In other words, selecting a bigger, heavier truck shouldn’t remove tow capacity – it should add much more
Otherwise, the weight of a truck adds some small but completely expected disadvantages
A truck with more weight also has a bigger engine, often with a 53L 8-cylinder or more, often north of a 62 liter – and uses more gas
These weight restrictions are rather unlikely to apply to any truck 3500HD or lower and usually refer instead to semis and box trucks
We feel that most users seeking information about trucks are more likely to be looking for amenities and capabilities
Weight is an interesting fact for a truck, but it’s unlikely to have any impact on the truck’s overall performance or your use of it, besides knowing about towing
Engines are made mostly of metal – often heavy metal capable of withstanding all kinds of weather and internal explosions while remaining running
A truck’s frame is also heavier than that of a car, in part because of the need to accommodate a higher vehicle, a bed, and the potential for towing
A truck axle can weigh hundreds of pounds to accommodate the need to carry a load directly overhead
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There are several weight ratings associated with pickup trucks like Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
These two ratings describe the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle and maximum towing weight of the vehicle
When you ask how much does a pickup truck weigh, however, you’re likely referring to its curb weight, which is the total weight of the vehicle itself, including fluids
This number includes most popular Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 pickup trucks
The average curb weight of each class is 4,412 pounds, 5,718 pounds, and 6,473 pounds, respectively
The curb weight of a pickup truck can vary widely within the same class and even within the same model
For example, the weight difference between a barebones single cab Ford F-250 and a fully loaded quad cab can be upwards of 1,800 pounds
To get a better idea of the weight difference between each make, model, and class, I’ve included a chart below:
Pickup TruckCurb WeightGVWRGCWRChevrolet Colorado3,920 – 4,4765,400 – 6,0018,500 – 10,700Ford Ranger4,145 – 4,5716,0508,650 – 12,500Jeep Gladiator4,650 – 5,0505,800 – 6,2509,100 – 12,800Nissan Frontier4,145 – 4,6966,01211,230Toyota Tacoma3,915 – 4,5505,60011,360Chevrolet Silverado 15004,520 – 5,2406,800 – 7,10014,500 – 19,100Ford F-1504,021 – 5,0146,010 – 7,1509,400 – 18,400Nissan Titan5,485 – 5,9167,100 – 7,30015,300Dodge Ram 15004,768 – 6,3966,010 – 7,80011,900 – 18,350Toyota Tundra5,170 – 5,6806,900 – 7,20016,000Chevrolet Silverado 25005,059 – 5,7958,60024,000 – 27,500Ford F-2505,677 – 7,53810,00019,500 – 26,000Nissan Titan XD6,402 – 6,8418,650 – 8,80017,700Dodge Ram 25005,988 – 7,4148,565 – 10,00021,500 – 27,000Chevrolet Silverado 35005,092 – 6,5379,700 – 11,40024,000 – 40,000Ford F-3505,878 – 7,73710,100 – 14,00019,500 – 27,500Dodge Ram 35006,056 – 7,53610,700 – 11,40021,500 – 43,000Pickup Truck Curb Weight, GVWR, And GCWR
Why Some Pickup Trucks Weigh More
Why Some Pickup Trucks Weigh More
Why Some Pickup Trucks Weigh More
In the world of consumer grade pickups, light duty generally refers to small trucks like the Ford Ranger or Chevrolet Colorado
Some may even include 1/2 ton pickups like the Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in that description
3/4 and 1 ton trucks are most commonly referred to as medium or heavy duty
Like the name implies, light duty trucks are lighter, both in weight and capacity, than medium and heavy duty trucks
But what makes a heavy duty pickup weigh more than a light duty pickup?
Drivetrain refers to the engine, transmission, and axles
Since heavy duty trucks are often used for hauling heavy materials or loaded trailers they are built with a more robust drivetrain
They need powerful engines, strong transmissions, and sturdy axles to perform reliably in these harsh conditions
Heavy duty trucks typically come standard with large V8 engines and have available diesel engines
These engines produce a ton of power and need a big, strong transmission and axles to handle the torque
Light duty trucks are still plenty capable but are just not built for the same level of use
As such, they don’t require the same drivetrain strength as their heavy duty counterparts
Modern small trucks usually come standard with a 4 cylinder engine with available V6 option
One common option found in both light duty and heavy duty pickup trucks is 4 wheel drive
The extra front axle and required transfer case add a lot of weight as well
We know that heavy duty pickups have a heavier drivetrain than light duty pickups, so it only makes sense that frame would match
Like the drivetrain, the frame has to standup to the rigors of everyday use in harsh conditions
As such, heavy duty pickup frames tend to be both physically larger and made from thicker steel
Beyond the drivetrain and frame, there are a few other factors that dramatically affect weight such as cab size, bed size, and body panel materials
These factors are not exclusive to light duty or heavy duty trucks
Pickup truck cabs are generally available in single cab, extended cab, and crew cab designs
Single cab trucks only have two doors and no rear seating
An extended cab pickup may have a small third door and fold-down or bench seating
This is still not as large as a crew cab, however, which has 4 full size doors and seating along with all the amenities
As such, crew cab tucks can be several hundred pounds heavier than single cab or extended cab variants
Long beds require a longer frame so the extra material increases weight when compared to a short cab version
It takes large, powerful engines to move heavy vehicles and these engines tend to be fuel inefficient
As a result, some manufactures have started using alternative materials for body panels in an effort to reduce weight
The Ford F-150, for example, uses aluminum panels instead of steel and weigh a few hundred pounds less than the competition
Truck classes range from 1 through 8 based on the pickup’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) In general, trucks falling in classes 1 and 2 are considered light duty, those that fall between 3 and 6 are considered medium duty, and those that fall in classes 7 and 8 are considered heavy duty
Some government organizations use these classifications for tax and emission purposes and a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is required to operate certain commercial trucks
Here’s a list of truck classifications based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
Curb weight is the weight of the pickup, including fluids, without passengers or cargo
This is in contrast to dry weight, which is the weight of the vehicle minus passengers, cargo, and fluids
When you ask how much a pickup truck weighs, this is likely the measurement you’re looking for
What Is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum loaded weight of a pickup
This weight rating includes the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo
What Is Gross Combined Weight Rating?
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum loaded weight of a pickup with a trailer attached
This weight rating includes the vehicle itself, passengers, cargo, and a loaded trailer
Like Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, this rating is provided by the manufacturer and ensures the pickup operates safely
If you are interested in towing with your pickup, this is the number you do not want to exceed
The average curb weight of a pickup truck is 5,467 pounds
The average curb weight of a pickup truck is 5,467 pounds
There is a large variance in weight between light duty pickups, however
Most of the difference in weight is found in the drivetrain and frame
Most of the difference in weight is found in the drivetrain and frame
Other factors like cab size, bed size, body panel materials, and whether the truck is 2 or 4 wheel drive are not exclusive to light duty or heavy duty trucks
As a result there can be a large difference in weight within the same model depending on how it is outfitted
Pickup truck weight vary a LOT across brands and models
We’ve compiled a lot of numbers to give you a good overview of how heavy these trucks are
We also looked at how much SUVs weigh, but now it’s time for the heavy-duty material!
How Much Do Mid-Size Pickup Trucks Weigh?How Much Do Full-Size Pickup Trucks Weigh?How Much Do Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks Weigh?What Are the Lightest Pickup Trucks in Each Class?What Are the Heaviest Pickup Trucks?Can You Make a Pickup Truck Lighter?
How Much Do Mid-Size Pickup Trucks Weigh?
Mid-size pickup trucks are a popular choice for drivers who want the convenience of a truck without the bulk and weight of a full-size model
Here are the weights of some popular mid-size pickup trucks on the market in 2023:
As you can see, the weights of mid-size pickup trucks vary depending on the make and model
The Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon are all similar in weight, while the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are slightly heavier
It’s important to note that the curb weight listed in the table refers to the weight of the vehicle without any passengers or cargo
When fully loaded, the weight of a mid-size pickup truck can increase significantly
Despite their lower weight compared to full-size trucks, mid-size pickup trucks are still capable of towing and hauling cargo
Drivers who want the convenience of a truck without the added weight and bulk of a full-size model may find a mid-size pickup truck to be the perfect fit for their needs
How Much Do Full-Size Pickup Trucks Weigh?
Full-size pickup trucks are the largest and most powerful trucks on the market
They are designed to carry heavy loads and tow large trailers
As such, they are typically heavier than smaller trucks
Here is a breakdown of the average weight of full-size pickup trucks:
Curb Weight (lbs)
Curb Weight (lbs)
Curb Weight (kg)
Curb Weight (kg)
Curb Weight (kg)
As can be seen from the table, full-size pickup trucks can weigh anywhere from 4,000 to 5,700 pounds (1,800 to 2,600 kg)
The weight can vary depending on the make and model of the truck, as well as the features and options it comes with
This is the same as a whole pile of compact cars (see car weight per class here)!
Overall, the weight of a full-size pickup truck is just one of many factors to consider when purchasing a truck
It is important to also consider the truck’s towing capacity, payload capacity, fuel efficiency, and overall performance
How Much Do Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks Weigh?
According to the search results, heavy-duty pickup trucks are classified as vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 26,001 pounds
The curb weight of these trucks can vary widely depending on the brand, model, and configuration
However, on average, a heavy-duty pickup truck can weigh between 8,000 and 14,000 pounds
To provide a better understanding of the weight of heavy-duty pickup trucks, here is a simple table with the numbers in pounds and kilograms:
It’s important to note that the weight of a heavy-duty pickup truck can vary depending on the equipment and options selected
For example, a truck with a crew cab and a long bed will weigh more than a truck with a regular cab and a short bed
Additionally, the weight of the cargo and passengers will also affect the overall weight of the truck
Heavy-duty pickup trucks are designed to handle the toughest jobs and carry the heaviest loads
These trucks are built to withstand heavy use and abuse, making them popular among farmers, construction workers, and other professionals who need a reliable workhorse
In conclusion, heavy-duty pickup trucks are some of the heaviest vehicles on the road
These trucks are built to handle heavy loads and tough conditions, making them a popular choice for professionals who need a reliable workhorse
When it comes to pickup trucks, weight can play a significant role in their performance, fuel efficiency, and towing capacity
Class 1 – Light Trucks
Class 2 – Midsize Trucks
Class 3 – Full-Size Trucks
Class 4 – Heavy-Duty Trucks
As shown in the table above, the Chevy Colorado is a light pickup truck in the Class 1 – Light Trucks category, weighing in at just 3,936 pounds
This midsize pickup truck is perfect for those who want a smaller, more agile vehicle that can still handle light loads and towing
In the Class 2 – Midsize Trucks category, the Nissan Frontier takes the crown as the lightest pickup truck, weighing in at 4,015 pounds
This truck is a great choice for those who want a balance between maneuverability and towing capacity
For those looking for a full-size pickup truck, the Ford F-150 is the lightest in the Class 3 – Full-Size Trucks category, weighing in at 4,069 pounds
This truck is a popular choice for those who need a workhorse that can handle heavy loads and towing
Finally, in the Class 4 – Heavy-Duty Trucks category, the Ford F-450 is the lightest, weighing in at 8,600 pounds
This truck is designed to handle the heaviest loads and towing requirements, making it a popular choice for those who need a true workhorse
What Are the Heaviest Pickup Trucks?
Pickup trucks come in various sizes and weight classes
Some pickups are designed to carry heavy loads, while others are built for speed and agility
Here are some of the heaviest pickup trucks in the market:
Truck Model
Truck Model
Weight in Pounds
Weight in Pounds
Weight in Pounds
The Ford F-750 is one of the heaviest pickup trucks in the market, weighing around 22,000 to 33,000 pounds
This truck is designed to carry heavy loads and is often used for commercial purposes
It has a powerful engine and a durable chassis that can withstand heavy use
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and Ram 3500HD are also among the heaviest pickup trucks in the market
These trucks are designed for heavy-duty use and can carry heavy loads with ease
They have powerful engines and sturdy chassis that can handle rough terrain and heavy loads
It’s important to note that the weight of a pickup truck can vary depending on the model, engine size, and powertrain
When shopping for a pickup truck, it’s important to consider your needs and choose a truck that can handle your workload
Can You Make a Pickup Truck Lighter?
Here are some ways to make your pickup truck lighter:
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce weight is to take out any items that you don’t need, such as tools, equipment, or personal belongings
Replace heavy parts with lighter ones:
Another way to shed weight is to swap heavy parts with lighter ones that offer the same or better performance
If you’re building a custom pickup truck or doing a major overhaul, you can consider using lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or aluminum for the body, bed, or interior
These materials are stronger and lighter than steel, but they can be more expensive and require special skills to work with
Keep in mind that making your pickup truck lighter may have some drawbacks, such as reduced towing capacity, lower payload, or less stability in windy or rough conditions
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