Pickup trucks often have large engines, roomy space, and heavy payloads
Weight has some effect on vehicle performance and capabilities
While it’s unlikely to be a major factor in your purchase, the weight of the pickup can determine how easy it is to tow and how safe it is
The pickups have different weights depending on the class
A small truck can weigh around 4,500 pounds, while a larger, standard truck can tip the scales at up to 5,500 pounds
A heavy-duty truck starts at 6,500 pounds, and the 3500 HD truck offers a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds or more
We learn a little more about trucks and what adds weight
You may also be wondering how a 5,500-pound truck can tow more than its own weight
There are a few other reasons why it is important to know the weight of your truck
We look at manufacturer websites and other sources to find out what the source of truck weight is
We’ll also look at numbers related to towing and weight
One difference in the weight of the truck is the size of the cab
A regular cab truck with no real back seat, maybe a door or two, will be lighter than a double cab or crew cab
The double or crew cab adds some weight with door hardware and a bench seat
The weight difference here is usually around 200-300 pounds if you go from a regular cab to a double cab, and around 500 pounds if you go to a larger crew cab
Just like when moving furniture or other large, heavy objects, proper leverage is very helpful when a 5,500-pound truck is towing more than 10,000 pounds
Pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado or Toyota Tundra have specific wheelbases, axle strengths, suspensions, transmissions, and engine sizes
When properly spread out, the trucks allow for the installation of a trailer that attaches directly to their frame
When properly distributed between 2 front wheels and sometimes 4 rear wheels, a pickup truck can tow 2-3 times its own weight, such as a 6500 lbs 3500 HD truck horse trailer or at least 14,000 lbs of construction equipment
Towing can make a big truck very useful
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
GCVWR is the combined weight of all the weights in your truck and trailer
You need to consider the weight of the people in your truck, the tools you keep, and anything else you’ve added
The GCVWR is located in both the owner’s manual and on the driver’s side door panel of the vehicle
Although you can look up GCVWR online, it’s easy to get the wrong number because of the variety of packages available for trucks
You also need to know the curb weight of your vehicle
This is the weight of your vehicle as known by the manufacturer, plus any fluids that help it function
You need to know the weight of the trailer and the weight of the vehicle or materials being towed
These are important because you don’t want to exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity
In fact, you’re better off not towing it within 10% of capacity
One of the biggest reasons not to tow within 10% of capacity is that it’s easy to mess up the weight or forget something
Traffic can also be unpredictable and trailer driving can be difficult due to wind or vehicles suddenly braking in front of you
Too much weight can impair the truck’s maneuverability, which is especially bad in traffic
An overweight vehicle is bad news for stopping distance, acceleration and handling
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 “yes” A heavier vehicle is less likely to be thrown in a high-speed crash
The reality is that occupants of larger trucks are more likely to be safe than average, mostly because of their height and compartments
The pickup also drives higher, so the upper parts of the truck – near the head – are less likely to have an accident
You may have heard of different weight classifications for trucks, including half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton
These do not refer to the actual weight of the truck – as most vehicles weigh well over a ton
You actually hear about payload
The numbers aren’t necessarily accurate anymore – and used to be a good way to refer to different loads
It’s pretty simple, a “one ton” truck is usually 3500, while three quarter won is 2500 HD and a half ton is a standard van
It’s a good idea to look up the actual load capacity of your truck rather than relying on generic terminology
The actual weight of the truck should not be a big factor in deciding which one to buy
If you’re concerned about towing capacity, you’ll notice that larger vehicles are heavier, but also offer more gross weight
In other words, choosing a bigger, heavier truck shouldn’t reduce towing capacity—it should add a lot more
Otherwise, the weight of the truck adds some minor, but totally expected, drawbacks
Heavier trucks also have bigger engines, often 53L, 8-cylinder or more, often north of 62L – and use more gas
These weight restrictions are unlikely to apply to trucks 3500 HD and below, and generally apply to semis and box trucks
We believe that most users looking for information about trucks are more likely to look for services and capabilities
Weight is an interesting fact about a truck, but it’s unlikely to have any effect on the overall performance of the truck or how you use it, other than knowing the towing
The frame of a truck is also heavier than that of a car, partly because of the need to accommodate a taller vehicle, a bed, and the possibility of towing
The axle of the vehicle will also be heavier than expected
A truck axle can weigh hundreds of pounds to accommodate carrying a load directly overhead