There are several weight ratings associated with pickup trucks like Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). These two ratings describe the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle and maximum towing weight of the vehicle. When you ask how much does a pickup truck weigh, however, you’re likely referring to its curb weight, which is the total weight of the vehicle itself, including fluids.
The average curb weight of a pickup truck is 5,467 pounds. This number includes most popular Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 pickup trucks. The average curb weight of each class is 4,412 pounds, 5,718 pounds, and 6,473 pounds, respectively.
The curb weight of a pickup truck can vary widely within the same class and even within the same model. For example, the weight difference between a barebones single cab Ford F-250 and a fully loaded quad cab can be upwards of 1,800 pounds. To get a better idea of the weight difference between each make, model, and class, I’ve included a chart below:
| Pickup Truck | Curb Weight | GVWR | GCWR |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 3,920 – 4,476 | 5,400 – 6,001 | 8,500 – 10,700 |
| Ford Ranger | 4,145 – 4,571 | 6,050 | 8,650 – 12,500 |
| Jeep Gladiator | 4,650 – 5,050 | 5,800 – 6,250 | 9,100 – 12,800 |
| Nissan Frontier | 4,145 – 4,696 | 6,012 | 11,230 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 3,915 – 4,550 | 5,600 | 11,360 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 4,520 – 5,240 | 6,800 – 7,100 | 14,500 – 19,100 |
| Ford F-150 | 4,021 – 5,014 | 6,010 – 7,150 | 9,400 – 18,400 |
| Nissan Titan | 5,485 – 5,916 | 7,100 – 7,300 | 15,300 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 4,768 – 6,396 | 6,010 – 7,800 | 11,900 – 18,350 |
| Toyota Tundra | 5,170 – 5,680 | 6,900 – 7,200 | 16,000 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | 5,059 – 5,795 | 8,600 | 24,000 – 27,500 |
| Ford F-250 | 5,677 – 7,538 | 10,000 | 19,500 – 26,000 |
| Nissan Titan XD | 6,402 – 6,841 | 8,650 – 8,800 | 17,700 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 5,988 – 7,414 | 8,565 – 10,000 | 21,500 – 27,000 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | 5,092 – 6,537 | 9,700 – 11,400 | 24,000 – 40,000 |
| Ford F-350 | 5,878 – 7,737 | 10,100 – 14,000 | 19,500 – 27,500 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 6,056 – 7,536 | 10,700 – 11,400 | 21,500 – 43,000 |
Why Some Pickup Trucks Weigh More
In the world of consumer grade pickups, light duty generally refers to small trucks like the Ford Ranger or Chevrolet Colorado. Some may even include 1/2 ton pickups like the Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in that description. 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are most commonly referred to as medium or heavy duty.
Like the name implies, light duty trucks are lighter, both in weight and capacity, than medium and heavy duty trucks. But what makes a heavy duty pickup weigh more than a light duty pickup? Well, most of the weight difference is found in the drivetrain and frame. Let’s take a closer look.
Drivetrain
Drivetrain refers to the engine, transmission, and axles. Since heavy duty trucks are often used for hauling heavy materials or loaded trailers they are built with a more robust drivetrain. They need powerful engines, strong transmissions, and sturdy axles to perform reliably in these harsh conditions.
Heavy duty trucks typically come standard with large V8 engines and have available diesel engines. These engines produce a ton of power and need a big, strong transmission and axles to handle the torque. As you can probably guess, these components weigh a lot.
Light duty trucks are still plenty capable but are just not built for the same level of use. As such, they don’t require the same drivetrain strength as their heavy duty counterparts. Modern small trucks usually come standard with a 4 cylinder engine with available V6 option. V8 and diesel engines are rare. Their transmissions and axles tend to be smaller and lighter as a result.
One common option found in both light duty and heavy duty pickup trucks is 4 wheel drive. The extra front axle and required transfer case add a lot of weight as well. A 4 wheel drive truck will be heavier than a 2 wheel drive truck, all else being equal.
Frame
We know that heavy duty pickups have a heavier drivetrain than light duty pickups, so it only makes sense that frame would match. Like the drivetrain, the frame has to standup to the rigors of everyday use in harsh conditions. As such, heavy duty pickup frames tend to be both physically larger and made from thicker steel.
Other Factors That Effect Weight
Beyond the drivetrain and frame, there are a few other factors that dramatically affect weight such as cab size, bed size, and body panel materials. These factors are not exclusive to light duty or heavy duty trucks.
Pickup truck cabs are generally available in single cab, extended cab, and crew cab designs. Each one is progressively heavier than the next. Single cab trucks only have two doors and no rear seating. An extended cab pickup may have a small third door and fold-down or bench seating. This is still not as large as a crew cab, however, which has 4 full size doors and seating along with all the amenities. As such, crew cab tucks can be several hundred pounds heavier than single cab or extended cab variants.
Most trucks are available in short bed and long bed versions. Long beds require a longer frame so the extra material increases weight when compared to a short cab version.
It takes large, powerful engines to move heavy vehicles and these engines tend to be fuel inefficient. As a result, some manufactures have started using alternative materials for body panels in an effort to reduce weight. The Ford F-150, for example, uses aluminum panels instead of steel and weigh a few hundred pounds less than the competition.
What Are Truck Classifications?
Truck classes range from 1 through 8 based on the pickup’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR.) In general, trucks falling in classes 1 and 2 are considered light duty, those that fall between 3 and 6 are considered medium duty, and those that fall in classes 7 and 8 are considered heavy duty.
Some government organizations use these classifications for tax and emission purposes and a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is required to operate certain commercial trucks. Here’s a list of truck classifications based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
Truck Classification by GVWR
- Class 1: 0 – 6,000 lbs.
- Class 2: 6,001 – 10,000 lbs.
- Class 3: 10,001 – 14,000 lbs.
- Class 4: 14,001 – 16,000 lbs.
- Class 5: 16,001 – 19,500 lbs.
- Class 6: 19,501 – 26,000 lbs.
- Class 7: 26,001 – 33,000 lbs.
- Class 8: Greater Than 33,001 lbs.
What Is Curb Weight?
Curb weight is the weight of the pickup, including fluids, without passengers or cargo. This is in contrast to dry weight, which is the weight of the vehicle minus passengers, cargo, and fluids. When you ask how much a pickup truck weighs, this is likely the measurement you’re looking for.
What Is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum loaded weight of a pickup. This weight rating includes the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo. This rating is provided by the manufacturer and ensures the suspension, frame, and wheels are not dangerously overloaded. It is also used by some government organizations for tax and emission purposes.
What Is Gross Combined Weight Rating?
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum loaded weight of a pickup with a trailer attached. This weight rating includes the vehicle itself, passengers, cargo, and a loaded trailer. Like Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, this rating is provided by the manufacturer and ensures the pickup operates safely. If you are interested in towing with your pickup, this is the number you do not want to exceed.
Recap
The average curb weight of a pickup truck is 5,467 pounds. There is a large variance in weight between light duty pickups, however. Most of the difference in weight is found in the drivetrain and frame. Other factors like cab size, bed size, body panel materials, and whether the truck is 2 or 4 wheel drive are not exclusive to light duty or heavy duty trucks. As a result there can be a large difference in weight within the same model depending on how it is outfitted.
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