Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck

   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #21  
Actually, the aluminium body panels on the Ford are thicker than the comparable truck with steel panels. I'm currently in comparison mode in the purchase process. My 07 Dodge Ram 1500 is creeping up on 150,000 miles, the current list includes the Ram 1500, F 150, and Colorado/Canyon.

If aluminum is stronger than steel, why are the panels thicker? Just curious. Don't care one way or the other about either brand as I will never, ever be buying a new pickup truck due to the cost.
 
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #22  
If aluminum is stronger than steel, why are the panels thicker? Just curious. Don't care one way or the other about either brand as I will never, ever be buying a new pickup truck due to the cost.

I don't think you'll ever hear anyone say aluminum is stronger than steel in a general context, since it's not generally true. But it's possible that thicker aluminum panels could be as strong as or stronger than thinner steel panels.
 
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #23  
I don't think you'll ever hear anyone say aluminum is stronger than steel in a general context, since it's not generally true. But it's possible that thicker aluminum panels could be as strong as or stronger than thinner steel panels.

And overall lighter than the thinner steel panels. => stronger and lighter. => more durable and better mileage.

Oh and less corrosion
 
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #24  
And overall lighter than the thinner steel panels. => stronger and lighter. => more durable and better mileage.

Oh and less corrosion

Stronger and lighter is debatable, since you really need to look at the overall picture in terms of the whole system and the frame/structure. For all the weight savings in the aluminum body, I think the F-150 is only about 80 lbs lighter than some of the competing steel trucks last time I compared specs.

I think corrosion is definitely debatable, speaking as someone with a lot of marine experience in brackish water and salt water. In most cases, galvanized steel is a better bet than raw aluminum. Aluminum really needs to be anodized to be significantly more corrosion resistant.

I have no concerns with the repair aspect, as aluminum has been use for car body parts for decades. It's new to the F-150, but not new in general.
 
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #25  
I think corrosion is definitely debatable, speaking as someone with a lot of marine experience in brackish water and salt water. In most cases, galvanized steel is a better bet than raw aluminum.
.

Silly me. I failed to consider those truck owners driving their F150s in salt water. Do you know what percentage of the population does this? Also, what truck manufacturers make their trucks out of galvanized steel so we can consider those brands in the discussion?
 
Last edited:
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #26  
Silly me. I failed to consider those truck owner driving their F150s in salt water. Do you know what percentage of the population does this? Also, what truck manufacturers make their trucks out of galvanized steel so we can consider those brands in the discussion?

Heh, drive in the northern part of the US during the winter, it's probably worse than salt water! But actually, I wasn't saying the vehicle is in salt water, just that in terms of corrosion, aluminum and steel both have their pros and cons, and marine environment is one example where galvanized steel does better than raw aluminum. Proximity to treated lumber is a another.

Automakers have been using galvanized and/or zinc-dipped/plated steel panels for a long time (at least since the 80s). According to GM, their 2014+ truck body uses galvanized steel everywhere except for the hood (aluminum). Not sure about the other truck brands, but I'd bet that most of them using steel are using galvanized steel.
 
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #27  
What is going to make this commercial even funnier is next year when GM starts building aluminum bodied trucks and all of these fools they tried to convince is going to remember the commercial.......
:laughing:
:cool2:
:stirthepot:
:drink:

PS
Also I should have added hypocrisy at its finest
 
Last edited:
   / Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck #28  
Heh, drive in the northern part of the US during the winter, it's probably worse than salt water! But actually, I wasn't saying the vehicle is in salt water, just that in terms of corrosion, aluminum and steel both have their pros and cons, and marine environment is one example where galvanized steel does better than raw aluminum. Proximity to treated lumber is a another.
.

So previously referenced brackish water and marine environments aside, I think you are saying that aluminum centric Fords will rust out faster than the steel centric GMs? I don't know who makes trucks out of treated lumber. :D
 
Last edited:

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

New JMR Skidloader Boom (A50774)
New JMR Skidloader...
2018 GENIE GTH-636 TELESCOPIC FORKLIFT (A51242)
2018 GENIE GTH-636...
2015 TRANSMASTER LOWBOY TRAILER (A51222)
2015 TRANSMASTER...
HANG ON 48" CATERPILLAR FORKS (A51242)
HANG ON 48"...
2023 TAKE 3 TRAILER 3 CAR TRAILER (A52141)
2023 TAKE 3...
2016 FREIGHTLINER M2 DAY CAB (A51222)
2016 FREIGHTLINER...
 
Top