Finding the right truck for your needs can make a job go more smoothly. You depend on a truck to handle various tasks, so having sufficient payload and towing capacity, passenger space, and power is key.
One of the biggest considerations when choosing a truck is the size of the vehicle. The most common sizes are ½-ton and ¾-ton. But what’s the difference between a ½-ton and ¾-ton truck?
The answer is simple: The ½-ton and ¾-ton labels refer to the total payload capacity of the truck. That includes the weight carried in the cargo space and passenger area, plus the weight of the trailer tongue. Therefore, since one ton is 2,000 lbs, a ½-ton truck would have a total payload capacity of 1,000 lbs, and a ¾-ton truck would have a payload capacity of 1,500 lbs.
Design and engineering improvements help today’s trucks to outperform the old tonnage listings. However, modern trucks are significantly more capable than previous models, so those exact measurements don’t always apply. A ½-ton truck of the current model year may have a payload capacity of around 1,500 lbs, while a modern-day ¾-ton truck might easily carry more than a full ton.
Although the numbers don’t quite line up, the relative capacity of the two truck classes still serves as a useful guide. A ¾-ton truck is the way to go for larger jobs, while a ½-ton truck works for tasks requiring less payload capacity.
Advantages of a ½-Ton Truck
A ½-ton truck has a few advantages over a ¾-ton truck. One benefit is that the lighter truck can achieve better fuel economy numbers than a heavier one. If you need to navigate in tighter spaces, a smaller truck makes it easier to do so.
Common Features
- Automatic transmission
- Lower payload capacity
- Lower towing capacity
- Gasoline engine (diesel engine may be an option)
- Rear-wheel drive (four-wheel drive may be an option)
Examples of ½-Ton Trucks
A few of the leading ½-ton trucks include:
- Ford F-150
- RAM 1500
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Industries That Rely on ½-Ton Trucks
- Construction
- Government
- Infrastructure
- Pipeline
- Solar
- Wind
- Telecom
- Engineering
- Environmental
- Oil and gas
Advantages of a ¾-Ton Truck
A minor drop in fuel economy is the trade-off for increased payload and towing capability. The key difference between a ½-ton and ¾-ton truck is the payload capacity, so opting for a ¾-ton model makes sense for bigger jobs that carry heavy loads. You can also use a larger truck to transport additional passengers, as many have bigger cabs.
Common Features
- Automatic transmission
- Higher payload capacity
- Higher towing capacity
- Diesel engine
- Rear-wheel drive (four-wheel drive may be an option)
- Longer box
Examples of ¾-Ton Trucks
Some of the most popular ¾-ton trucks include:
- Ford F-250 Super Duty
- GMC Sierra 2500
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500
- RAM 2500
Industries That Rely on ¾-Ton Trucks
- Construction
- Mining
- Electrical
- Government
- Infrastructure
- Pipeline
- Solar
- Wind
- Telecom
- Engineering
- Environmental
- Oil and gas
Why Rent Trucks from Barco Rent-A-Truck
Whether you’re looking for one good truck for a job or a fleet of trucks, renting from Barco Rent-A-Truck makes sense. You can get the right truck for your needs, complemented by outstanding service. Barco has been taking care of companies across all industries to handle their truck needs for over 40 years.
Selection
With Barco, you get the trucks delivered right where you need them. We have current-year models of the top trucks in each class, including ½-ton truck rentals and ¾-ton truck rentals.
Service
Every commercial truck rental comes with the full manufacturer’s warranty. Plus, we offer 24/7 roadside assistance, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong. We deliver to worksites located anywhere in the continental United States.
Safety
Barco Rent-A-Truck values safety. Our trucks come with rearview cameras and Bluetooth integration for hands-free functionality. When you rent a truck from Barco, you get a brand-new truck. You don’t have to worry about the issues that come with older, used trucks.
Sales
If you love the truck you rent from Barco, we can offer you a competitive deal to purchase it from us.
Keep It Simple
With Barco Rent-A-Truck, you can keep it simple! You get the new, high-quality truck you’re looking for with all the features you need, delivered right to your job site.
Whether you’re looking for a ½-ton truck rental, a ¾-ton truck rental, or something in between, contact Barco Rent-A-Truck to get a quote. You can explore options and find the perfect truck for your job.