Why do we still call them 1/2 ton pickups?

[Chris Callanan]

As far as I can tell, most 1500 pickups can carry way more than 1000 pounds of stuff - so why do we keep calling them 1/2 tons?  (and by extension, the 3/4 and full ton HDs hold more than that too...)

 

 

[Mikebtte]

I think they are no longer refereed to as 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. From what I see they are classified as Silverado, 2500 and 3500. Even 1500 is not advertised 

 

[econometrics]

Yeah, they are not actually called "half tons" any more. It's just a name that has stuck, and most people still call them so. The manufacturers call them "light duty trucks" now. (Compared to the heavy duty trucks for 2500 and up) 

[aseibel]

Why do we still call them 2x4's?

They haven't measured 2" x 4" for 80 years.

[Chris Callanan]

12 minutes ago, aseibel said:

Why do we still call them 2x4's?

They haven't measured 2" x 4" for 80 years.

Because saying "one and a half by three and half" is hard.....

 

[NeverCold]

52 minutes ago, econometrics said:

Yeah, they are not actually called "half tons" any more. It's just a name that has stuck, and most people still call them so. The manufacturers call them "light duty trucks" now. (Compared to the heavy duty trucks for 2500 and up) 

I like how its light duty, then heavy duty, but if you step up to something like class 5 Freightliner M2 it's a medium duty.

[AJMBLAZER]

Tradition and perspective. 

 

 

A light duty is pretty much anything on this site. Medium duty is the 4500 series and up to where you require a CDL.