Ford aluminum truck beds are strong how?

[lilranch2001]

Yeah looking forward to the upcoming f150 with dual wheeled dual axels in the rear with air brakes that are designed to apply when a brake system failure occurs instead of the brakes not working. We probably need to make more run way ramps for all the F150s that might need them like we have for big rigs too. Sorry not trying to be snarky just saying comparing light duty trucks to big rigs isn't really a fair comparison.

Ford dude, for not trying you are doing a pretty good job of it......
Just my opinion though

 

[Fordman1981]

Ford dude, for not trying you are doing a pretty good job of it...... Just my opinion though

Do you think it's fair to say a big rig can do it so a half ton should be able to? I still think trying to pull 12k with a truck that is sub 6k is foolish...... Just my opinion though.

 

[lilranch2001]

Every time I test drove the Eco boost I wasn't impressed and like I said my own real world experience ford products cost more to keep in service so much so they are at the end of my list when I buy new vehicles. This experience isn't from just personal vehicles I have a fleet of trucks for business. I used to bleed ford blue until they became more hassle then they were worth. I still love my classic fords I have a 71 f350 and a 1969 Mach 1 that I done a full concourse rotisserie restore. The Mach 1 get driven on most nice days during the spring and summer. The newer model fords for me have been a major headache and cost me money. So all you ford fanatics on this board can praise your choice all you want it won't change the numbers I have seen and experienced for myself.

And to address the ford sales more trucks. There are many reasons for this. One is owner loyalty there are many stories on this board one I read just a day or two ago about a guy that bought an F150 because that's what his dad had and they were good trucks. His experience was so bad it made him say he'll never own another ford. I was a ford man for a long time too because similar reasons my dad was when I was growing up. He still is he has had issue after issue with ford trucks all throughout the 2000's and he just turns a blind eye to it and buys another when it comes time for a new truck. I for one got tired of all the repetitive issues with ford trucks and their dealers not standing behind the product so I looked for a brand that would serve me better and so far they have. When that's no longer the case I will shop and research and decide again if another brand will serve me better.

The reason I went back to ford after 37 years was The GM plant down the 4 miles down the road from me failed me in the last 3 trucks they built. and Ford seemed to fill the bill for me in the 2014 model year
And since they were coming out with the aluminum body in 2015, I did not want to buy a new technology
Would I buy one now? I think so

 

[Sysop]

Do you think it's fair to say a big rig can do it so a half ton should be able to? I still think trying to pull 12k with a truck that is sub 6k is foolish...... Just my opinion though.

If you follow their guildlines of having both, their Max-Payload and Max-Tow packages, as well as a properly set weight distributing hitch, and also have properly operating brakes on the trailer, with the brake controller set properly for the load, GCWR on such a configuration is 16,600lbs. Once you put a properly-set weight distributing hitch into the equation, the weight on the truck axles is much greater than just the weight of the truck, in effect making the truck weigh much more than it's base curb weight. A properly set WDH eliminates all of the "tail wagging the dog" issues.

 

[Fordman1981]

If you follow their guildlines of having both, their Max-Payload and Max-Tow packages, as well as a properly set weight distributing hitch, and also have properly operating brakes on the trailer, with the brake controller set properly for the load, GCWR on such a configuration is 16,600lbs. Once you put a properly-set weight distributing hitch into the equation, the weight on the truck axles is much greater than just the weight of the truck, in effect making the truck weigh much more than it's base curb weight. A properly set WDH eliminates all of the "tail wagging the dog" issues.

And what happens when the trailer brakes fail? If you're in a truck that weighs more and is a better match for the load you have a better chance of getting stopped without incident. The same distribution happens with a heavier truck you just start with a better weight to stop what's behind it. I'd rather have more truck than I need and have a better safety margin than pushing the envelope of a half ton and causing myself and others to get hurt.

I think half ton towing should stay in the 10k range because I think that's a comfortable safe weight for that size truck.

 

[Bird]

:laughing:I've enjoyed this thread. And in my opinion, it's just a matter of personal preference. My dad owned an auto parts store in the '50s and '60s and never owned, or wanted to own, a Ford. I made a comment one day that, "You just don't like Fords, do you?" And he replied, "Oh, I love'em. They keep me in business; just don't want to OWN one!" Now dad's oldest sister started teaching me to drive her 1947 Ford business coupe a couple of years before I became a teenager. When I was 18, I got a 2 year old Mercury convertible; very good car. But I bought a brand new 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 and I'm sure no one ever manufactured a worse lemon than that car, so for 25 years you couldn't have given me a Ford. But then I bought a Ford powered motorhome, and even bought a new Ford Escort station wagon to tow behind it. So I've owned nothing but Fords for the last 24 years; partly because I like the vehicles; partly because I like the dealer. I now have the 2015 F150 XLT super cab, and I'd probably only consider a Ford if I were shopping for another vehicles. But my grandson just bought a 2015 Chevy. I expect he'll be just as happy with that as he would have been with a Ford. As I said, just personal preference.

 

[aczlan]

Do you think it's fair to say a big rig can do it so a half ton should be able to? I still think trying to pull 12k with a truck that is sub 6k is foolish...... Just my opinion though.

Whats the difference between pulling 12k with a 6k truck and pulling 68k with a 12k truck? The brakes on today's 1/2 tons are at least as powerful as the brakes on yesterdays (say 2000ish) 3/4 or 1 ton trucks and in many cases, today's 1/2 ton trucks will handle the load better.

Aaron Z

 

[Fordman1981]

Whats the difference between pulling 12k with a 6k truck and pulling 68k with a 12k truck? The brakes on today's 1/2 tons are at least as powerful as the brakes on yesterdays (say 2000ish) 3/4 or 1 ton trucks and in many cases, today's 1/2 ton trucks will handle the load better. Aaron Z

I addressed this before a big rig has brakes on the rig and the trailer designed to apply in the case of a failure. They have many other design features that allow them to pull the loads they do. They also have dual axel dual wheels to help with the stopping of twice there weight. Not saying you are wrong just this is how I see it with my logic.

 

[aczlan]

I addressed this before a big rig has brakes on the rig and the trailer designed to apply in the case of a failure. They have many other design features that allow them to pull the loads they do. Not even close to a fair comparison.

That's why they pull 5x their empty truck weight instead of 2x their empty truck weight.

Aaron Z

 

[Sysop]

And what happens when the trailer brakes fail? If you're in a truck that weighs more and is a better match for the load you have a better chance of getting stopped without incident. The same distribution happens with a heavier truck you just start with a better weight to stop what's behind it. I'd rather have more truck than I need and have a better safety margin than pushing the envelope of a half ton and causing myself and others to get hurt.

I think half ton towing should stay in the 10k range because I think that's a comfortable safe weight for that size truck.

For regular towing, I would agree. For a couple planned tows per year, well maintained and inspected equipment, nice weather, good roads, I'm tickled to see the abilities increased to the levels the new F150 has pushed into. As stated above, brakes get better all the time and I don't think with my driving style I'll have an issue stopping if my trailer brakes fail. If others in this world are equally careful in their considerations, I don't see Fords killing anyone by their increased payload and towing numbers.

I personally wouldn't want to tow with any truck at it's absolute max rating, let alone on any regular basis. I prefer a safety margin as well, but beyond that any truck at it's absolute max is an absolute DOG in my mountains. In my mountains when towing, you generally need to drive like you're planning to lose your brakes anyway. Too many up, downs, and curves you can't see around to accumulate much speed. Not that you can't go plenty fast, just to do so is foolish, more so with a load.

MY PERSONAL max loads are well within the specs enough that I can even afford the weight of a heavier duty trailer than is actually is needed for my personal max loads. I figure a heavier trailer with heavier/better brakes, springs, and frame, is safer than one loaded at or near capacity.