So just curious....

Knightfall · September 13, 2016

I can't watch a YouTube video without getting that advertisement about the Chevy vs Ford beds. Getting kind of annoying. But a quick question and maybe a good conversation starter: the Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota beds are also steel, right? Maybe not "high strength", but in theory stronger than the Ford beds? My mom said she saw a Ford the other day that looked like it was a peppered with hail damage all over. Interesting.

hurricanoday · September 13, 2016

Not the question you asked, but no one in 2016 should be browsing the net without adblock.

I seriously doubt fords beds are weak as the video shows and besides it should have liner that would help? Who would ever drop rocks like that in the bed of their new 30,40,50k+ trucks? "just a dent" yet both beds are totaled.

Silvern Sentry · September 13, 2016

Not the question you asked, but no one in 2016 should be browsing the net without adblock.

You are kidding right, this is 2016 and YouTube just introduced a whole new set of guidelines. No swearing or vulgarity, Do not dare offend anyones sensibilities or safe space and you cannot even talk about a bad event such as beheadings in the middle east or ISIS 'meathooks' even if you do not showimages or your video can no longer be monetized. It is all aimed at making the content more advertiser friendly.

The ads are adapting!

Silverado Steve · September 13, 2016

The rock demonstration is a bit absurd, but the tool box getting pushed into the bed is a bit more concerning and realistic. I don't think any knowledgeable truck buyer will write off the F-150 because of the aluminum bed, or rather that same buyer will just ask their Ford dealer to throw in a bed liner as part of the purchase, which I'm sure the Ford dealer will do to seal the deal. Really this is a non issue for the vast majority of truck buyers.

bassJAM · September 13, 2016

I'm in the market for a 1/2 ton and the Sierra and F150 are my top choices right now (though I am curious to see a new Titan once they hit dealierships). The aluminum is a non-issue to me, if anything I like that I won't have to worry about the body rusting away in 10 years. Every truck I've owned has had either a plastic of spray-in liner, and my next truck will as well.

Knightfall · September 13, 2016

I'm sure the fords are fine, I was just curious if everyone else used, basically, steel. And to quote above, I like the new Titans alot. If I can get one with an extended cab for less than a Chevy, I'd definitely consider it, I'm just waiting for all the cab and bed sizes, the V6, and all the trim levels to be fully fleshed out and released.

Debra in Cali · September 14, 2016

I'm in the market for a 1/2 ton and the Sierra and F150 are my top choices right now (though I am curious to see a new Titan once they hit dealierships). The aluminum is a non-issue to me, if anything I like that I won't have to worry about the body rusting away in 10 years. Every truck I've owned has had either a plastic of spray-in liner, and my next truck will as well.

If you are in the Central Valley of California, I have my 2015 Chevy 1500 z71 LT for sale. PM if you are interested and live in my area.

Cosmic Charlie · September 14, 2016

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siskiyou · September 20, 2016

Since we are talking about aluminum beds I would be curious to know if removing that much weight from the rear of the truck effects traction on snow, ice or water.

Mike

crushNchowda · September 20, 2016

Since we are talking about aluminum beds I would be curious to know if removing that much weight from the rear of the truck effects traction on snow, ice or water.

Mike

well this is sort of a trick question, but has 2 sides to it. For one, I too question the effect of shedding that much weight in a vehicle that is designed specifically to tow & haul heavy things, simply from a "ballast" standpoint, stability in towing, traction mudding/snow, etc. Seems like the real concern would be more w/ the HD trucks that are really put to work and traditionally weigh 2000 lbs more than their 1/2 ton siblings.

The reason I say its more a non-issue w/ the F150 is because, well, I'm not yet convinced the loaded up 4x4 3.5 ecoboost trucks are that much lighter. I believe motor trend has pointed this out previously, super crews claimed curb weight of just under 5000 lbs yet independent weights show few hundred lbs heavier so what gives?

ALso, if the truck really weighed nearly 1000 lbs less than the GM then why doesn't it clobber the GM in acceleration tests like the GM (and Ford) clobber the Ram that weighs nearly 1000 lbs more than even the GM twins???

Britt Lifsey · September 20, 2016

well this is sort of a trick question, but has 2 sides to it. For one, I too question the effect of shedding that much weight in a vehicle that is designed specifically to tow & haul heavy things, simply from a "ballast" standpoint, stability in towing, traction mudding/snow, etc. Seems like the real concern would be more w/ the HD trucks that are really put to work and traditionally weigh 2000 lbs more than their 1/2 ton siblings.

The reason I say its more a non-issue w/ the F150 is because, well, I'm not yet convinced the loaded up 4x4 3.5 ecoboost trucks are that much lighter. I believe motor trend has pointed this out previously, super crews claimed curb weight of just under 5000 lbs yet independent weights show few hundred lbs heavier so what gives?

ALso, if the truck really weighed nearly 1000 lbs less than the GM then why doesn't it clobber the GM in acceleration tests like the GM (and Ford) clobber the Ram that weighs nearly 1000 lbs more than even the GM twins???

That's the weight of the extra thick bed liner the Fords need to protect them from falling rocks and tool boxes

siskiyou · September 20, 2016

My question had nothing to do with the overall weight of the truck but more to do with the weight over the rear axle. By making the bed out of aluminum it should lighten the rear by quite a bit.

Mike

Silverado Steve · September 20, 2016

Short answer is yes. Lighter weigth over the rear axle will affect traction. Crushnchowda hit the nail on the head, overall the overall biggest complaint of the new F150 is rear end hop because of the lighter rear end. I have a couple of friends here who have new F150 and they told me rear rnd traction or lack thereof has been more noticeable on snow, ice and wet roads.

My question had nothing to do with the overall weight of the truck but more to do with the weight over the rear axle. By making the bed out of aluminum it should lighten the rear by quite a bit.

Mike

asilverblazer · September 21, 2016

If you compare weights of the Ford trucks prior to the switch to aluminum they were about 500 lbs heavier than the GM counter part. The switch to aluminum didn't make them any lighter than the competition. It made them competitive.

Jus Cruisin · September 21, 2016

It seems the biggest issue with the aluminum body and its weight savings over previous Fords are the lighter leaf springs that limits tongue weight (even with max tow and a class IV hitch). Sway (trying to eliminate it) is a recurring topic on the Ford forums especially with the travel trailer guys. I ended up installing Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS) on mine to beef up the rear springs for towing my 24' enclosed car trailer (no WDH). I pulled it over 4,000 miles in August to a couple of long distance car events. The RAS has made a significant difference in how the truck feels in crosswind and around big trucks.