At the risk of probably much ridicule, I have to ask the following question.
What does 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton etc. etc. refer to when talking about trucks? My 3/4 ton Xcursion exceeds this number in both payload capacity and towing. So what gives? This has been bothering me for years. When I was in the military our CUCV pickups were designated 5/4 tons yet were capable of much more. In fact the HMMWV is designated a 5/4 ton.
Thanks for the help. No ridicule please

 

The whole 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton stuff was all started way back in the day when the payload capacity of a certain level of truck matched roughly an even fraction of a ton. Nowadays, it is more a designation of the level of work a pick-up is designed for as opposed to actual load carrying ability. Your average F-150 (or Expedition), a 1/2 ton truck, can generally carry around a ton, but it is a "light duty." An F-250 (or Excursion), a 3/4 ton truck, can carry well over a ton and a half without difficulty, and is your best mix between a truck you can really beat hell out of but still feel fine with as a daily commuter. The F-350 is your 1 ton truck. Be confidant with a 1 ton with putting a couple of tons in the back and hitting the road.
So as we progress, the levels of truck have gotten tougher, but have retained their descriptions. A late model 1/2 ton will easily do the work of a 50's 1 ton and more, but is still called a 1/2 ton. I would assume this is done to reduce confusion whenever the latest truck designs are rolled out. If we didn't do this, the F Series would start around 350 and go to 550 for regular pick-ups.
As a general rule of thumb, I can't think of anywhere where this doesn't hold true, a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, International or Jeep truck with a number in the 100s or 1000s (i.e. 100, 150, 1500) is a 1/2 ton, with a number in the 200s or 2000s it is a 3/4 ton, and with a number in the 300s or 3000s it is a 1 ton.

The Law

 

Also, don't assume that if you have a half(or higher) ton truck that it can really load half a ton in it. Be sure to check out your Vehicle Ratings in the manual and usually in the door pillar. The figures you want to look at at GVWR(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) the maximum your entire truck can weigh with load, gas and passengers etc. The GAWR(Gross Axle Weight rating, front and rear are usually different), the weight that can be on that axle. A lot of trucks out there, often are already near their maximum wieght rating if they have a full tank of gas, passengers and maybe a campershell or bed box full of tools. Usually it will be the "sporty" truck that are already near max, the work trucks and the 2xx and 3xx are not so bad.

A lot of aluminum wheels and or sport tires will limit the weight rating. The axle used is very influential on the weight rating. Also the brakes will be very differnt for each rating.

So to be safe, check the ratings. If you tow, it would also be a good idea to weight the truck with and without trailer, whole truck, front axle and rear axle etc.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson