2015 Model: Issues Already
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
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The thinner frames will certainly be more than rugged enough for the weekend warrior like myself to haul lumber, mulch, topsoil, etc.
I see a great deal of animosity brewing when a person bought a truck expecting to be able to pull an RV and is told by the RV dealer that his truck isn't rated.
I see a great deal of animosity brewing when a person bought a truck expecting to be able to pull an RV and is told by the RV dealer that his truck isn't rated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: penn twp.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 112
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From: Massachusetts
Me! But it's my F550 Lariat with a 9' Boss straight blade.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
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From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Aluminum has been used for years and I don't think that's the real issue here.
As for frame thickness, the article alludes that in order to get a truck rated to tow, you must purchase a truck with a heavier frame.
It's not like now where you option a truck for max tow, otherwise you have a standard rated truck but nothing is different in the frame.
The thinner frames will certainly be more than rugged enough for the weekend warrior like myself to haul lumber, mulch, topsoil, etc.
I see a great deal of animosity brewing when a person bought a truck expecting to be able to pull an RV and is told by the RV dealer that his truck isn't rated.
As for frame thickness, the article alludes that in order to get a truck rated to tow, you must purchase a truck with a heavier frame.
It's not like now where you option a truck for max tow, otherwise you have a standard rated truck but nothing is different in the frame.
The thinner frames will certainly be more than rugged enough for the weekend warrior like myself to haul lumber, mulch, topsoil, etc.
I see a great deal of animosity brewing when a person bought a truck expecting to be able to pull an RV and is told by the RV dealer that his truck isn't rated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,006
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From: San Jose, CA
Like any new model year design, I'll wait for the 2nd or 3rd year into the model before thinking of buying something as tempting as it is to be the first kid on the block to have one. The first year production is where most of the bugs are found and worked on. By the 2nd and 3rd years, the bug list is pretty clean.
That said, I'm sure the others will follow suit in using more aluminum in their trucks as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if a compacted graphite engine block is in the queue also... the SD's use them now and are a huge weight savings.
Regarding insurance, it's interesting the my insurance rates on my F150 and F350 are exactly identical and cost less than my wife's older Lexus. You'd think I can cause much more damage with an empty F350 that weighs 8200lbs. Not sure what the deal is, but I'm not complaining. But like an earlier post notes... a few more pounds of metal is cheaper than a few broken bones.
That said, I'm sure the others will follow suit in using more aluminum in their trucks as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if a compacted graphite engine block is in the queue also... the SD's use them now and are a huge weight savings.
Regarding insurance, it's interesting the my insurance rates on my F150 and F350 are exactly identical and cost less than my wife's older Lexus. You'd think I can cause much more damage with an empty F350 that weighs 8200lbs. Not sure what the deal is, but I'm not complaining. But like an earlier post notes... a few more pounds of metal is cheaper than a few broken bones.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
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From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Regarding insurance, it's interesting the my insurance rates on my F150 and F350 are exactly identical and cost less than my wife's older Lexus. You'd think I can cause much more damage with an empty F350 that weighs 8200lbs. Not sure what the deal is, but I'm not complaining. But like an earlier post notes... a few more pounds of metal is cheaper than a few broken bones.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,035
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From: Maine, Virginia
Going back to the OP's intent, Ford was experiencing some problems. These problems aren't likely to find their way to the public as Ford has been using aluminum in the F-150's and Expeditions for well over 10 years now.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 233
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REALLY?
What happened to pre-production testing? They built prototypes and didn't run into the issue with the sheet metal??? 
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: San Jose, CA
On my '05 F150, they touted about and used aluminum control arms. It seems the more recent F150s went back to using steel???? because it's cheaper????
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 85
From: penn twp.
I agree. That's one of my favorite things about the 09-14 f150 trucks. I love when the manufacturers build style into the tailgates of their trucks.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 154
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From: OKC, Okla.
HMMM, I have a sneaky feeling that these full aluminum bodies will last in production for only a few years.
Aluminum is fine in much lower volume vehicles but, this is the mass volume F150. I think Ford got a little ahead of themselves.
Not only that but in the coming elections, people who understand how the real world works will start taking the CAFE out of bizzaro-la-la land and set the standards back several notches. They will no longer need to make soda can trucks.
I think F150 buyer for the next few years will have themselves a collectors items on their hands after 2017-18. Time will tell.
Aluminum is fine in much lower volume vehicles but, this is the mass volume F150. I think Ford got a little ahead of themselves.
Not only that but in the coming elections, people who understand how the real world works will start taking the CAFE out of bizzaro-la-la land and set the standards back several notches. They will no longer need to make soda can trucks.
I think F150 buyer for the next few years will have themselves a collectors items on their hands after 2017-18. Time will tell.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: OKC, Okla.
I'm ready for a new one. And I really hate to say this but I think I'm buying the 2500 series Dodge with the Cummins turbodiesel . Another thing we had the body off my 2012 F150 for some repairs I can't believe how much flex is in this frame, it's not solid at all. they're only going to get worse. Mark my words "Dodge is going to use this opportunity to steal real truck enthusiast from Ford". GM is already doing a good job of it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 85
From: penn twp.
HMMM, I have a sneaky feeling that these full aluminum bodies will last in production for only a few years.
Aluminum is fine in much lower volume vehicles but, this is the mass volume F150. I think Ford got a little ahead of themselves.
Not only that but in the coming elections, people who understand how the real world works will start taking the CAFE out of bizzaro-la-la land and set the standards back several notches. They will no longer need to make soda can trucks.
I think F150 buyer for the next few years will have themselves a collectors items on their hands after 2017-18. Time will tell.
Aluminum is fine in much lower volume vehicles but, this is the mass volume F150. I think Ford got a little ahead of themselves.
Not only that but in the coming elections, people who understand how the real world works will start taking the CAFE out of bizzaro-la-la land and set the standards back several notches. They will no longer need to make soda can trucks.
I think F150 buyer for the next few years will have themselves a collectors items on their hands after 2017-18. Time will tell.
Thing is that's what the big 3 said back in the seventies concerning those same pollution standards. They sure didn't go way. In fact they just keep getting more and more stringent.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,534
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From: penn twp.
You really think so about the Ram? If that is truly the case, the why is it that on the heavy duty trucks, did they completely copy the Ford Super Duty front suspension? Not to mention I for one would much rather have parallel leaf springs in the rear of a true work truck. Coils spring rear suspensions belong under a car not a truck. Especially when carrying large and heavy loads.