How are old truck sizes rated? My 1957 F600 is considered a 2 ton truck yet has a GVW of around 17500 lbs which means it can haul around 10000 lbs. Was hoping some one could enlighten me.

 

1/2 ton, 3/4, 1, 2 1/2, 5 ton, 10 ton.....all "nominal" designations. Especially in the higher end of medium trucks, GVWs can vary several thousand pounds even in the same model.

Ditto heavy trucks, starting at 26001 lbs GVW.

So those terms are obsolete and useful only for general chit chat about any particular truck, IMO.

Your F600, have you weighed it empty?

 

I haven't ran it across a scale yet but I am guessing it's around 7000 lbs.

 

meaningless terminology probably left over from the 30's.

Trucks are referred to by Class, ie Class 4, Class 5....Class 8. A Class 8 would be an over the road tractor with an 11-15 L engine, while an F450 would be a class 4. Medium duty delivery (dry box, medium dumps, etc are class 6-7, etc.

There are breakdowns out there but I'm too lazy to look them up. Wiki is usually good for that.

 

Amusing; couple years ago some wahhoo came in the asphalt plant with
a common 1975 ish F600 and ordered 16 ton of binder????? OK
And it actually took off into the sunset with asphalt on the roof and hood.