Can someone explain to me how they rate our truck. Is it a 1/4,1/2,3/4 or 1 ton?

A local company needs pick ups to move campers but they require a certain rating.

 

I'd say more of a 1/3 ton.

No, I don't know if there is a actual rating assigned to it.
Not that ratings actually matter anymore.
Pretty sure 1/2 tons from 2010, are "heavier duty" than 3/4 tons from the 80's.

 

I agree! NOT 1/4 but doesn't have the tow ratings of a 1/2 ton. But it does have the same engine/transmission setup as the 1/2 tons.

 

as far as i know all dakotas are 1/2 (half) ton rated. engine and trans dont matter. depends on rear axle and springs. this rating is only for the load you can haul in the bed it has nothing to do with tow ratings.

 

I dont know about ratings but I have hauled 2170 lbs of shingles in the bed of my truck and between 1500 to 1800 lbs of blocks on several occasions. It was mashed down but it still had some spring in it.

 

Actually it is not determined by the load capacity of the bed. That would mean Dakotas and Full size can only carry 1,000LBS. And 3/4 tons could only haul 1,500lbs and a 1 ton 2,000lbs.

According to the service manual for the Dakota one can go up to 2,000lbs. Mine now could do 1,800lbs. Full size will be rated for more. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...ing-chart.html

Some say that was the old way of load capacities. Like 80's down. Now with the trucks being labeled with 1500 2500 3500. They say that is the load capacity. But again stock load capacities for Dakota alone beats the 1500 mark.

 

I rolled across the scales with over 4000 LBS just this am.... ratings are overrated. just drive it

 

I hauled a pallet load of concrete blocks that weighed in the 3000lb. range last Summer. It wasn't pretty and I wouldn't do it again, especially since I have one broken leaf spring. Every time it hit a slight bump the nose was up in the air and I had little control over the steering. That was the longest 2 1/2 hrs of my life.

 

haha, i know what you mean. before i put all the springs in my truck, when it was OE sprung, i pulled a car and a 20 foot float home, in the dark., couldnt see a single thing haha, light up in the air.

Now i have 9 1 ton leafs on each side and 2 main bottom ones. no squat no matter what ya out in/on it!

 

I don't know if you ever posted up pics of it! I wanta see them!