Ford releases fuel numbers for the new F-150

[Degolyerent]

Aluminum engines and body's started in 1902 Marmon , full aluminum body by 1907

 

[Egon]

No. At the end of the day they will all go to a carbon fiber composite. Whether or not every brand will go to Aluminum first is the real question.

Right on. Just like the airplane development.

 

[jejeosborne]

No. At the end of the day they will all go to a carbon fiber composite. Whether or not every brand will go to Aluminum first is the real question.

I don't think carbon fiber would make for a good material in a truck bed.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I don't think carbon fiber would make for a good material in a truck bed.

I'm not so sure about that. The airplane I fly has a Carbon Fiber Floor. We can configure the cabin with what we call a combo interior. This leaves in the 6 front seats and carpet but removes the rear ones and carpet exposing the bare floor. I have loaded pallets weighing 2000# on it then slide it into position. We hauled home a 1200# Elk, numerous tools and supplies, ect. I find it very forgiving, durable, dent resistant, ect. I would have no issues with a truck bed made of it.

Chris

 

[jejeosborne]

I'm not so sure about that. The airplane I fly has a Carbon Fiber Floor. We can configure the cabin with what we call a combo interior. This leaves in the 6 front seats and carpet but removes the rear ones and carpet exposing the bare floor. I have loaded pallets weighing 2000# on it then slide it into position. We hauled home a 1200# Elk, numerous tools and supplies, ect. I find it very forgiving, durable, dent resistant, ect. I would have no issues with a truck bed made of it.

Chris

Carbon fiber is not a good material where impacts take place. Great for most other applications. It is brittle and will crack and chip rather than dent. If used with a bed liner to absorb impacts, then it would work.

 

[MikePA]

Carbon fiber is not a good material where impacts take place. Great for most other applications. It is brittle and will crack and chip rather than dent.

Not to mention the chips can be razor sharp.

 

[sld]

You might see some body panels from carbon fiber but you will never see anything that takes regular abuse made from it.

As an engineer in the aircraft industry I think the stuff is crap. Don't buy the line that it's lighter than aluminum either. For the same thickness it is but to get the same strength it is much thicker. It has it's place but primary structure or anything taking abuse loads is not one of them.

And people are worried about galvanic corrosion in the new F150? Introduce carbon fiber and it gets much worse.

 

[TomSeller]

Not to mention the chips can be razor sharp.

Sounds bad in an accident

 

[C4Ranch]

I will call my insurance man Monday and get a quote and compare it to my 2012. That will tell the real story.

Chris

Please do. I would be interested to know.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Right on. Just like the airplane development.

I had so many unpredictable failures with carbon fiber on mountain bikes and motorcycles, that I refuse to fly aircraft made of it.

One moment the carbon bit looks fine, another moment and catastrophic failure!