Some here may be confused...
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
This is the maximum weight the truck is <B>rated</B> to be, fully loaded with whatever, including full tank of fuel, driver, trailer hooked up, etc, etc. This is a figure provided by a truck manufacturer. It has little to do with what the truck can actually carry. We all know how many of us "overload" our trucks, compared to the manufacturer's GVWR. I am not saying it's OK to overload, just that many of us do it.
GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight
This is the actual weight of the truck. If you were to drive the truck onto a scale empty, you would get your GVW.
If you drove your truck onto a scale loaded, it would still be your GVW. It's simply what the truck weighs.
Manufacturers (GM at least) changed the term from GVWR to GAWR.
GAWR = Gross Allowable Weight Rating.
Again, this is the maximum that the truck can weigh fully loaded.
Now, we can go into 1/2 ton, and 3/4 ton, 1 ton.
1 ton = 2,000 pounds.
This means that a 1/2 ton truck is rated to carry 1,000 pounds total.
This means that a 3/4 ton truck is rated to carry 1,500 pounds total.
This means that a 1 ton truck is rated to carry 2,000 pounds total.
Like I said, most of us exceed these weights all the time. It doesn't make it right.
I have two 3/4 ton GM trucks. One has a GVWR of 6,800 lbs. The other has a GVWR of 8,400 lbs.
What's the difference?
Both have the same front and rear axles.(rated at 7,000 lbs. capacity)
Both have the same chassis.
Both have the same bed (and it's the same as the 1/2 ton bed too might I add).
The differences between my two, is leaf springs, and rear brakes. The 8,600 truck has larger rear brake drums and shoes. It also had a TH 400 trans when new. It has more leaves in the springs. I assume when new, it had tires rated at carrying a higher weight. Other than that, there is no real difference.
So you see, it is more the springs and brakes that govern the GVWR than anything else.
So, 85/w350, you need to be more clear with what you are asking.
Pottstim told you the GVWR of his father's truck. That's NOT what the truck actually weighed. Sorry to say, you are still back at "square one" with all this.
If you want the actual weight of the truck, according to a book I have,which I don't put much faith in, due to many descrepancies....
1977 131.5" wheelbase, fleetside 6.5', 1/2 ton = 3,953 lbs.
Now, how can a truck with the long 131.5" wheelbase, have a 6.5' bed on it? That's why I have little faith in the book.
1977 117.5" wheelbase, fleetside 6.5', 1/2 ton = 3,645 lbs.
1977 117.5" wheelbase, cab and chassis, 1/2 ton = 3,251 lbs.
None of this takes into consideration what engine and transmission the truck in question has either.
~Chuck
