[briffle]

They have shorter beds, because of the larger cab, but a 1975 Ram one ton could carry 3500 lbs of payload in the bed, and pull a 11,500lb trailer.

A 2025 one can carry 7500 lbs of payload in the bed, and tow 37,090 lbs (some states require extra permits or licenses for that much)

All modern trucks can carry and tow WAY more than they used to.

and the 1/2 ton ones have dramatically impvoved mileage (the modern 3L diesels do about 29Mpg, and the gas ones turn off cylinders when crusing, and can do 20-25mpg when empty. My older small pickup (old ram Dakota) from the early 2000's got 15-16 on the highway.

[AngryData]

Total weight is up, but volume is not, and for most people volume is far more important because they aren't trying to put a full pallet of concrete in the back. The weight capacity of basic 90s and '00s trucks were already enough to fill it solid 3 feet thick of stacked wet treated lumber.