A half-ton or 150/1500 model typically falls under an 8,500-pound GVWR. A three-quarter-ton or 250/2500 model ranges between 8,500 and 9,990 pounds. A one-ton or 350/3500 truck is likely to be 9,900 pounds or more.

The all-new Ram 1500 full-size pickup is poised to hit dealers with a base price of $31,695 (plus a $1,645 destination fee). That price will net buyers a quad-cab Tradesman 4x2 equipped with a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine backed by Fiat Chrysler's new eTorque mild-hybrid system.

Full sized Chevrolet truck gas mileage has increased over the years because of innovations such as the active fuel management feature which switches the engine to run on four cylinders when idling and improvements in fuel injection systems. On regular gasoline it is 19 combined city/highway mpg 16 city 23 highway 5.3 gals/100 miles.