Crash Testing

['01LS1]

Was watching some crash test videos the other night & this one caught my attention.

 

From what I can gather it is a new test that is a small overlap or where the object bypasses the frame.

This is on a Ram product, but watch at 1:09 for the interior floor camera.

 

 

 

Not knocking on Ram or any make with this video. Just could not find the GM truck based test of the same hit. But it does make clear that if you have a split second & cannot turn away, turn into the object that is coming.

['01LS1]

There is a series here with the big three & side crash tests.

 

 

 

Just gives an idea of how things have improved over the years as other makes

& older tests are in this series at the link.

[maxco]

I read in a car mag that they were adding this test where it is only 25% of the vehicle nose being hit instead of the standard 40%. Makes a big difference obviously....seeing how far that LF wheel comes back into the firewall is scary.

[00Silverado4x4]

I don't care what make or model it is, it's make me cringe watching a brand new vehicle get totaled out in a split second. I know they do it for a very good/important reason but just thinking about it would be if it were real life...ouch! Guess I went to too many accident scenes with my Dad growing up.

[MikeNH]

Those overlap tests are brutal, very few vehicles fare well with those. That test almost seems as though it puts the brunt of impact outside the frame rail, where there is very little structure.

[ATMINF]

I wonder what the test results would be if the truck had one of those beefy Ranchhand style bumpers?

['01LS1]

Those overlap tests are brutal, very few vehicles fare well with those. That test almost seems as though it puts the brunt of impact outside the frame rail, where there is very little structure.

 

 

There was a detail of how the cab structure was on the 2014 GM trucks & they are addressing that. They showed highlighted structure pieces, though cannot imagine there is truly much you can do to beef that up & still crush/absorb energy.

[kstruckcountry]

I wonder what the test results would be if the truck had one of those beefy Ranchhand style bumpers?

 

 

They don't make much of a difference at speed. While the bumper might stay intact better than the factory one, it's basically just sandwiched in between the truck itself and the other vehicle. Even though the bumper can handle it, the frame can't.

 

For collisions with other vehicles below 20 mph though, they can help some.

 

I can't believe the govt keeps on pushing all these mpg regs, weight does help a lot in a crash...

[AzDragonLord]

Makes me think back to the days when the bumpers used to be all steel and mounted directly to the frame instead of a crumple zone. Less energy absorption but also less crumpling.

[Trav_13]

I'm trying to figure out why the new Denali HD I have only gets 3 Stars in a Frontal and the Denali Half Ton got 5. I'm guessing it has something to do with weight and mass?

[MikeNH]

Not all HDs have side curtain and side impact (seat mounted) airbags so that may be why. Keep in mind that even if your Denali has those, the one tested might not have had them.