So now that we are sufficiently knowledgeable about how strong the 2014 full size trucks are, lets see how much they can haul, both inside and behind it. Even the strongest struck is not much good if it can't carry a load or if it is a pain to ride in due to lack of room.
Many of the gains in truck amenities over the past two decades has come in the addition of room and in the addition of towing capacity. Trucks have become large family vehicles in many cases and can haul more weight than most people need.
So lets take a look at who has the most room inside and just how much they can haul and pull. You will want to note, all towing capacities and hauling capacities depend on which package you buy, including cab size, engine size, 2WD/4WD, and more. For the purposes of this comparison, we will be using the best numbers for each make reported from their own websites.
First, lets all agree that a "half ton truck" does not carry just a half ton. With enhanced suspension and stronger frames, these trucks do much more. Here are the maximum hauling capacities:
Ford 3,120 lbs
Chevy 2,101 lbs
Toyota 2,040 lbs
Ram 1,910 lbs
Notice that Ford is well beyond the other three. Chevy, Toyota and Ram are all within a couple hundred pounds of each other, but Ford is a half ton more in capacity. Impressive.
Next, the Towing Capacities:
Chevy 12,000 lbs
Ford 11,300 lbs
Toyota 10,500 lbs
Ram 10,450 lbs
These weights are fairly close, but one should note that with all of the changes and improvements made by Dodge over the past few years, their hauling and towing capacities have a bit further to go. Although, their top fuel efficiencies would probably take a hit if they did so.
Another note for Ram buyers, the new Ram EcoDiesel V6 is not included in these two lists since Ram had not released their hauling and towing numbers at the time of this comparison.
Finally, the cab room comparison will look at the head room, hip room, and leg room of each of the main types of half ton truck packages: Single Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab.
Single Cab Numbers:
Head Room Hip Room Leg Room
Ford 41" 60.5" 41.4"
Chevy 42.4" 60.7" 45.3"
Ram 39.9" 62.9" 41"
Toyota 39.7" 62" 42.5"
Extended Cab Numbers: (Front/Rear)
Head Room Hip Room Leg Room
Ford 41"/39.6" 60.5"/65.4" 41.4"/33.3"
Chevy 42.8"/38.6" 60.7"/60.2" 45.3"/34.6"
Ram 41"/39.7" 63.2"/62.9" 41"/34.7"
Toyota 39.7"/38.7" 62.6"/62.6" 42.5"/34.7"
Crew Cab Number: (Front/Rear)
Head Room Hip Room Leg Room
Ford 41"/40.3" 60.5"/64.6" 41.4"/43.5"
Chevy 42.8"/40.5" 60.7"/60.2" 45.3"/40.9"
Ram 41"/39.9" 63.2"/63.2" 41"/40.3"
Toyota 39.7"/38.9" 62.6"/60.4" 42.5"/42.3"
I won't even attempt to break all of those numbers into a snippet of information, so you can just compare and get an idea of which trucks have the shape of cab best to fit you. I will say, however, that it does look as though Chevy makes the better truck for those who have longer legs.
Be sure to check back next week to catch the full size comparison of amenities and price.
Many of the gains in truck amenities over the past two decades has come in the addition of room and in the addition of towing capacity. Trucks have become large family vehicles in many cases and can haul more weight than most people need.
So lets take a look at who has the most room inside and just how much they can haul and pull. You will want to note, all towing capacities and hauling capacities depend on which package you buy, including cab size, engine size, 2WD/4WD, and more. For the purposes of this comparison, we will be using the best numbers for each make reported from their own websites.
First, lets all agree that a "half ton truck" does not carry just a half ton. With enhanced suspension and stronger frames, these trucks do much more. Here are the maximum hauling capacities:
Ford 3,120 lbs
Chevy 2,101 lbs
Toyota 2,040 lbs
Ram 1,910 lbs
Notice that Ford is well beyond the other three. Chevy, Toyota and Ram are all within a couple hundred pounds of each other, but Ford is a half ton more in capacity. Impressive.
Next, the Towing Capacities:
Chevy 12,000 lbs
Ford 11,300 lbs
Toyota 10,500 lbs
Ram 10,450 lbs
These weights are fairly close, but one should note that with all of the changes and improvements made by Dodge over the past few years, their hauling and towing capacities have a bit further to go. Although, their top fuel efficiencies would probably take a hit if they did so.
Another note for Ram buyers, the new Ram EcoDiesel V6 is not included in these two lists since Ram had not released their hauling and towing numbers at the time of this comparison.
Finally, the cab room comparison will look at the head room, hip room, and leg room of each of the main types of half ton truck packages: Single Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab.
Single Cab Numbers:
Head Room Hip Room Leg Room
Ford 41" 60.5" 41.4"
Chevy 42.4" 60.7" 45.3"
Ram 39.9" 62.9" 41"
Toyota 39.7" 62" 42.5"
Extended Cab Numbers: (Front/Rear)
Head Room Hip Room Leg Room
Ford 41"/39.6" 60.5"/65.4" 41.4"/33.3"
Chevy 42.8"/38.6" 60.7"/60.2" 45.3"/34.6"
Ram 41"/39.7" 63.2"/62.9" 41"/34.7"
Toyota 39.7"/38.7" 62.6"/62.6" 42.5"/34.7"
Crew Cab Number: (Front/Rear)
Head Room Hip Room Leg Room
Ford 41"/40.3" 60.5"/64.6" 41.4"/43.5"
Chevy 42.8"/40.5" 60.7"/60.2" 45.3"/40.9"
Ram 41"/39.9" 63.2"/63.2" 41"/40.3"
Toyota 39.7"/38.9" 62.6"/60.4" 42.5"/42.3"
I won't even attempt to break all of those numbers into a snippet of information, so you can just compare and get an idea of which trucks have the shape of cab best to fit you. I will say, however, that it does look as though Chevy makes the better truck for those who have longer legs.
Be sure to check back next week to catch the full size comparison of amenities and price.
