Practical difference between 3/4 and 1 ton cargo van?

[Ns1]

ie 2500 or 3500 designation.

Payload is expected to be 500-1000 pounds on average.
Future towing of a travel trailer is also possible

 

[dave_the_nerd]

http://www.chevrolet.com/express/cargo-van

1k pounds is well under payload limit for either one. A travel trailer is usually under 1500 pounds.

So get whichever is cheaper.

FWIW, a pallet of slate roofing tile is ~4,000 pounds. So a roofer gets the 3500, a carpenter gets the 2500.

 

[Ns1]

yes that's what's on paper, but the internet has told me that the ride in a 3500 is harsh when it's empty, and the tow capacity for a 2500 is actually greater than a 3500, so if I don't plan to carry a lot in the back but tow a lot, the 2500 is a better option.

this is all per "the internet".

Also, this is not under 1k pounds.

 

[NutBucket]

Basically the the main difference is how much you can load into the van, 3000 vs 4000 lbs.

The tow capacity is basically the same as indicated by the Gross combination weight rating. Technically you can tow a heavier trailer with the 2500 since you can't load as much into the van.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

yes that's what's on paper, but the internet has told me that the ride in a 3500 is harsh when it's empty, and the tow capacity for a 2500 is actually greater than a 3500, so if I don't plan to carry a lot in the back but tow a lot, the 2500 is a better option.

That's fair. Heavier cargo usually means stiffer shocks and springs, while also tend to have a negative effect on ride quality when empty.

this is all per "the internet".

Also, this is not under 1k pounds.

Ah, I thought you meant like a mini trailer. The kind of thing people with small cars use when they move between Studio apartments.

 

[Zivic]

in my area, with pickup trucks, the registration (tabs) have a huge savings on a 1 ton vs a 3/4 ton.

 

[shabby]

Basically the the main difference is how much you can load into the van, 3000 vs 4000 lbs.

Where did the 3000 and 4000lbs come from? Could of swore 1 ton = 2200lbs, meaning 5 guys plus 1000lbs of stuff in the back means you're at the limit already.
I know a few people who were caught driving overloaded vans, fines were almost $1000.

 

[lxskllr]

Where did the 3000 and 4000lbs come from? Could of swore 1 ton = 2200lbs, meaning 5 guys plus 1000lbs of stuff in the back means you're at the limit already.
I know a few people who were caught driving overloaded vans, fines were almost $1000.

A freedom ton is 2k#. I think 4k# is a DPRK ton. They always exaggerate capacity.

 

[NutBucket]

Payload means cargo. A 1/2 ton truck carries 1000lbs or so plus the people in the truck. GVWR defines the weight of cargo + people + the vehicle itself. Finally, a cargo van has 3 seats max.