The world of trucks can be confusing to those who know nothing about them. What’s a quarter-ton? What model number corresponds to each classification? Does this hold true across brands? Our Pick of the Day is a primo, low-mileage workhorse that we’ll use to explain the complicated world of trucks. This 1989 Chevrolet K3500 one-ton dump truck is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Fenton, Missouri.
If I were to ask ChatGPT, “How are truck ton ratings classified?” I will be told that this is an outdated classification of payload capacity that has nothing to do with the amount of weight capable of being carried. Considering you can always count on human beings for being irrational, this should come as no surprise.
In the past, classifications like ½-ton, ¾-ton, and one-ton were a measurement of how much payload a truck could carry, in this case 1,000 pounds 1,500 pounds, and 2,000 pounds, respectively. Today, it’s a little different: ½-ton is your basic light-duty truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though you’ll notice the numbers don’t correspond to half a ton. Move up into a heavy-duty truck and you’ll be shopping for a Ford F-250 Super Duty or Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. Need something more capable still? The F-350 Super Duty and Silverado 3500 HD will fit the bill.
Since the payload isn’t necessarily represented by the naming structure, this is what you have to do: find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the total weight the truck is capable of handling (including its own weight) and subtract the weight of the truck while empty. GVWR is dependent on many factors so there is no blanket manner to attribute a particular rating. A decal in the driver’s side door jamb is the easy way in determining GVWR. For example, a truck with a 12,400 GVWR rating may have a curb weight of 7,000 pounds, so that means its payload is 5,400 pounds.
Yes, it would be logical to infer that the F-150 or Silverado 1500 was a ¾-ton truck, but that’s simply not the case today. Curses, you truck manufacturers! When and why did the industry change from one manner to the other? In 2008, for the purpose of standardization of measuring methods among manufacturers . . . yet it doesn’t seem simpler to me.
This 1989 Chevrolet K3500 one-ton dump truck doesn’t use the old manner because 3500 does not equal one ton. Confused? You’re not the only one, but let’s not get distracted—I want to tell you about this vehicle because you will want to be the next owner. The K means it has four-wheel drive (a “C” would indicate two-wheel drive through the rear wheels), so it has some extra capability. Check out the odometer and you’ll see this truck has only 11,877 miles on it, which means there’s plenty of life left in the ol’ rig. A 230-horsepower 454 with electronic fuel injection, backed by a four-speed manual, powers this behemoth. Options on this garage-kept dump truck include air conditioning, power steering with tilt steering wheel, power brakes, AM/FM/cassette, gauge package, dual fuel tanks, overload springs, and Heil dump bed. Additionally, Zeibart rustproofing was applied when new.
This is a truck that means business. If your hauling needs mean a bed that tilts is a requirement, then this is the best of both worlds: a new retro vehicle. If your needs are something else, then put on your thinking cap on because you need to figure out how to take this $38,000 (OBO) Bow Tie home.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com