Truck Toughness

Likarok · August 9, 2014

Have just gone through a devastating hail event with my 2014 Sierra it makes me wonder something about vehicle toughness!

Wondering if for example parts of these new trucks could be made out of different materials to make their outer surfaces tougher! seems like the paint now is almost bullet proof, but the steel it is painted onto is paper thin. Wondering if materials like carbon fibre or composite materials like a Corvette is would be an option or have even been looked at! There is lots of talk these days about the future of aluminum in vehicles. But are they looking at that for just fuel saving?

To me aluminum will be no better than what we have with steel for toughness!

Kent2500 · August 9, 2014

Have just gone through a devastating hail event with my 2014 Sierra it makes me wonder something about vehicle toughness!

Wondering if for example parts of these new trucks could be made out of different materials to make their outer surfaces tougher! seems like the paint now is almost bullet proof, but the steel it is painted onto is paper thin. Wondering if materials like carbon fibre or composite materials like a Corvette is would be an option or have even been looked at! There is lots of talk these days about the future of aluminum in vehicles. But are they looking at that for just fuel saving?

To me aluminum will be no better than what we have with steel for toughness!

Reducing both cost and weight to be competitive is difficult. Saturn did try using flexible plastic body panels (commercials with a shopping cart banging into one with no body damage), but didn't the technique didn't take off. If anything, vehicles are easier to damage so the body can "absorb" impacts.

Sorry about your truck...

Silverado-Hareek · August 9, 2014

I had $4,300 of hail damage fixed about a month ago. Luckily the paint was spared and the work done was all a paint-less dent removal process. But it took 4 days and was expensive....thankful for insurance in this case.

Likarok · August 9, 2014

I know I am probably crazy but I just think that in todays world of space age science there has to be a way to make the outer skin tougher as well as providing a safe environment for passenger safety.

As per my example of Corvettes! Or what they call "hard body" holiday trailers.

Or do the auto makers get a better deal on sheet metal because the buy from the same company that Campbell's Soup does for there soup cans!

bronco351 · August 9, 2014

How bad was the damage on your truck? My co worker is in Airdrie, and he's certain both of his cars and his trailer are written off. I'm on the south end of Calgary (about 45mins away for those not familar with AB), and didn't get a drop.

Likarok · August 9, 2014

I have a claim in but have not met with adjuster! That happens next week! My estimate is at least $4000.But I am probably low? I managed to get my truck into my garage as far as I could up behind my Corvette! That saved the hood and probably a broken windshield. Damage is to roof, drivers door and drivers side of box.

To actually stand there and watch my truck get the shit beat out of it was sickening............literally I felt like throwing up!

2014tungy · August 9, 2014

i also live in the south end of Calgary, and thankfully i didn't get any hail on my 14 silverado!

Prosnowsk8er · August 10, 2014

deeeeeep se Calgary also and not a lick of hail, thankfully my 14 sierra fits in the garage.

Maybe we should start a Calgary and area thread, what dealers you guys use?

Kent2500 · August 10, 2014

Or what they call "hard body" holiday trailers.

Campers are not crash tested. I'm sure the truck cab could be built using plastic/fiberglass, but what happens during the side impact crash testing?

2014tungy · August 10, 2014

i had a 08 sierra before i bought my 14 silver ado. Tranny went on the 08 and so it was time for something newer! I use southgate, its the closest and haven't really had any issues with my truck yet!

scott19677 · August 10, 2014

Everyone overlooks the "art" of politics. Even in just what materials are used in building autos. It is almost a known fact that tires can be designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle. Yet you'll NEVER see one of these brought to market. There are sorry ass lobbyist out there pushing for or against everything from drugs, food, energy, steel, and every other commodity you can think of.

Ever heard of Willy Wonkas Ever Lasting Gobstopper? Trucks are no different. If you were to invent a super material that would never dent, rust, or repair itself (already nearly a reality) ,between the Unions, Lobbyist, Tree hugging hippies, or the Anointed One himself (OBAMA) you're bound to offend someones agenda. See, that hail storm just provided jobs for pain-less dent removal,

gave Obama some ammo to promote Global Warming and stop the Keystone pipeline and shut down coal plants, GM can claim +1 MPG by using paper thin sudeo metals,... well you get the idea. Everyone wins except the consumer. Cant say I can relate about the hail damage but I swear WalMart shopping carts are drawn to my truck like magnets. Good luck.

Jay700 · August 10, 2014

These trucks are made of very thin metal dented my box with my back arm. Really sad that it's so fragile.

2017SierraSLT · August 10, 2014

The thin metal is there for weight savings. The structure is very solid, and the best yet, but the skins are very thin, almost to the point of being laughable.

KARNUT · August 10, 2014

The standard reason or excuse is going to be safety in a wreck. Crush panels to absorb energy to save the occupants .

Spurshot · August 10, 2014

The consumers are demanding better fuel economy as is the Gov't. If the trucks were the same thickness steel as they were in the 60s, they wouldn't get the mileage you like. Aluminum is going to be worse.

http://www.hailprotector.com/