Confused about towing capacity

Still a new experience owning a truck. Do I have a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck? My payload is 1435 lbs, but my towing capacity is 7800 lbs? I don't understand

 

You have a halfton, which is, admittedly, an outdated term. It might be easier for you to think of them as 1500/2500/3500 series trucks, rather than 1/2, 3/4 and 1-tons.

 

Look at the sticker in the driver door sill for your trucks payload info

 

You have a 1/2 ton that weighs 6900lbs. The payload capacity is 1435lbs. That’s the max load inside the truck and in the bed. Max towing capacity is 7800lbs. That’s the max load for towing a trailer. Does that make sense?

 

You have a Class 2a truck, or better known as a 1/2 ton. Classes are based on the GVWR of the vehicle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification

3/4 tons are class 2b, 1 tons are class 3. Towing capability has no bearing on truck classification, only GVWR. GVWR = curb weight + payload

 

If you are going to Canada be care full not to be over loaded. They would not let a friend of mine across because he was overloaded.
He was in a Ram 2500 diesel with an extra 40 gal fuel tank and a 25' 5th wheel. The 5th wheel loaded was weight 7,200 lbs.
It was the truck that was overloaded.

 

So does this mean you can tow 7,800LBS and have 1435lb in the bed as well?

 

Keep in mind, payload is inside the cab and bed. So if your passengers weigh 600lbs, that counts towards how much can go in the bed.

https://blog.firestonecompleteautocare.com/driving/truck-payload-vs-towing-capacity-what-to-know/

 

No. Because the tongue weight from the trailer counts against the payload. At least 10% of the trailer weight should be on the tongue. So, in this example, tongue weight would be at least 780 pounds leaving you 655 pounds in the truck for passengers and gear.

 

Probably depends where you are. In Alberta you seem to be able to do what you want (including tandem towing with a fifth wheel) as long as you're not blatantly over weight. In BC you can't tandem tow, fifth wheel or otherwise.

 

Hmm doubt that they are no where near payload or towing unless had 420 goodies in cab hidden.

 

Those are legal in Canada now.

 

Awesome they just legalized in my state now just need federal to legalize

 

They are....but if you get stopped with that much, you'll be charged with Trafficking.

 

True. I was thinking of a small amount in the cab, not 7200 lbs in the trailer...

 

Forget about the stickers on your truck, if you want to know the true towing and payload capacity, find the GCWR and GVWR for your truck, which should be in your manual. Everything you add to your truck, like a person, bigger tires, bed liner, etc, reduces your towing and cargo carrying capacity.

GCWR for your truck, less the total weight of your truck (weigh it), including any cargo and passengers, is your towing capacity.
GVWR, less the actual weight of your truck and everything in it (weight it), is your cargo capacity.

It's that simple.