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Old 05-20-2019, 12:29 PM   #1
Nobighurry
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Why's it called a 2 ton???

So my 1970 C60 has a 2 ton designation - but why? The doggone thing ways 10k pounds and payload is 14000. So where does the 2 ton come from? How much the tire weighs??? HAHA
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Old 05-20-2019, 01:00 PM   #2
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

14K - 10K = 4k = 2 tons. 14K is the total weight of vehicle and payload
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Old 05-20-2019, 02:24 PM   #3
C10 - C90 Bill
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Actually, I believe his GVW is 24,000.

But good question, I've always wondered that myself.

Even a 1-Ton. My old '64 C-30 weighed 5,000 and carried 5,000.

Nothing 1-Ton about it, lol.
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Old 05-20-2019, 07:20 PM   #4
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

You are correct my Va based friend. My gvw is 24000. Kinda goofy telling people I have a 2 ton truck but I have no idea why it is called that. I just change the subject.
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Old 05-20-2019, 08:25 PM   #5
C10 - C90 Bill
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Even my 9500. I would not refer to it as a 3-Ton, I would just say Tandem or sometimes Twin Screw Tandem.

But for some reason, 1-Ton and 2-Ton names stuck.
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Old 05-20-2019, 09:53 PM   #6
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Well, it probably started out that way, then as years went by the empty weight and load capacity increased but the nomenclature stayed the same:

C-10 "half ton"
C-20 "three quarter ton"
C-30 "one ton"
C-40 "ton and a half"
C-50 "two ton"
C-60 "two and a half ton"
etc etc etc

My old C-50 GVW was 16K# but I think it only weighed about 6K# cab and chassis. Geez, half ton pickups weigh about that much these days.

In those days, there was no GCVW so I could safely ignore that
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Old 05-20-2019, 11:29 PM   #7
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

I get asked this question a lot, here ya go

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification
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Old 05-21-2019, 12:26 AM   #8
C10 - C90 Bill
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Interesting link.

Ton Rating well explained.

Thanks for posting it.
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Old 05-21-2019, 09:25 PM   #9
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Why do they call it a 2 x 4 when they measure 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"?

It's just a nominal term for identification purposes. It's not the payload, but it's simpler to say. Plus, within the same series the payload can differ. Even a 1/2t pickup has different GVWs by engine. I had a SRW K3500 regular cab w/bucket seats with a 9,200 GVW. DRW would have given it 10,000 GVW. That's an 800# difference. How much more weight do you think DRWs, crew cab, carrying 2-4 more men would add? Mine would have more payload. Even GVW is relevant.
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Old 05-30-2019, 09:29 PM   #10
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

So my 72 C50 is considered a class 7 because it has a 31,000 lb rating, 8,000 front springs and 23,000 rear?
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Old 05-30-2019, 10:09 PM   #11
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

My c60 have 24k rears and 9k fronts. My gvw is 24k which is what the dot is going to hold me to. I'd never try to go over the 24k.
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Old 05-30-2019, 11:57 PM   #12
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

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So my 72 C50 is considered a class 7 because it has a 31,000 lb rating, 8,000 front springs and 23,000 rear?
If your truck was factory built that way, it should have been a C-60. I never heard of a C-50 with that much GVW.
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Old 05-31-2019, 03:09 AM   #13
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

My C70 has a GVW of 25,160, 9000 front, 16,160 rear. The rear axle is a Eaton 17201 which is capable of 23,000 lbs.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=721374
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:44 PM   #14
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

kinda on the same subject, why are there wide fender c50's, and narrow fender c60's ? seems like a 60 has a higher GVW than a 50. which is why the wider fenders and axles are used. but i am seeing them in either option
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:45 PM   #15
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Quote:
Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill View Post
If your truck was factory built that way, it should have been a C-60. I never heard of a C-50 with that much GVW.
I was told it was a 50. could be a 60. what do you think?
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:55 PM   #16
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Quote:
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I was told it was a 50. could be a 60. what do you think?
It's a c50. First number in serial number designates the size.
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:56 PM   #17
C10 - C90 Bill
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

It looks like you do have a C-50, but to go in deeper detail, it seems like you have a 5000 Lb Front Axle (F-050) with 8000 Lb Springs on it. What does your GVW Plate state?
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:57 PM   #18
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gokart Mozart View Post
I was told it was a 50. could be a 60. what do you think?
You should have a metal plate on drivers side door jam that designates the gvw.
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:59 PM   #19
C10 - C90 Bill
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Nobighurry, looks like we are both posting at the same time, lol. One minute apart on the last 3.
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Old 05-31-2019, 07:04 PM   #20
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Yet again, great minds think alike.
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Old 05-31-2019, 07:16 PM   #21
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Ok. Guess it's "only" 24,000 gvwr.
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Old 05-31-2019, 07:23 PM   #22
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Quote:
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Ok. Guess it's "only" 24,000 gvwr.
Yep. I work my truck and 24k gvw is plenty. I wouldn't want any more with the old style single stage master cylinder. Braking is important.
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Old 05-31-2019, 07:37 PM   #23
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Working on lowering weight capacity and increasing stopping capability.
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Old 05-31-2019, 07:55 PM   #24
C10 - C90 Bill
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

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Ok. Guess it's "only" 24,000 gvwr.
Even that is pretty heavy for a C-50. I believe most C-50's have a GVW of 19,500.
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Old 05-31-2019, 08:00 PM   #25
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Re: Why's it called a 2 ton???

Quote:
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Even that is pretty heavy for a C-50. I believe most C-50's have a GVW of 19,500.
I agree. It looks like it has the heavy 10 lug wheels.
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