Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Tow Vehicles: Where is the beef?
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Help and Support  |  Contact

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Tow Vehicles

Open Roads Forum  >  Tow Vehicles

 > Where is the beef?

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 3  
Next
Tow Vehicles Related Tips
Capt Skup

Southern Maryland/Nantucket

Senior Member

Joined: 05/14/2004

View Profile



Posted: 11/04/09 12:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I know the host is a tad annoying but... the video is quite interesting. Under the skin there is sure a big difference in structure, or lack of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQET-JW81DE&feature=related


Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USNRet.
Wonderful Wife,3 Daughters,2Goldens Gus&Riley

"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"

'08 F-450 Lariat 4x4
'08 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community

dshelley

hernando, mississippi

Senior Member

Joined: 02/20/2005

View Profile



Posted: 11/04/09 12:42pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I've seen several of these advertising videos made by Ford before, but nevertheless, they are interesting and do provide something to think about. My opinion, although it's only mine, is the same as it's been for many years, Ford continues to build a very fine truck indeed.


2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab, Shortbox, 5.9 Cummins, auto, Reece 16K hitch, bedsaver
2004 Holiday Rambler Savoy 28RLS

TXBlue

Saginaw, TX

Senior Member

Joined: 12/22/2004

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club

Online
Posted: 11/04/09 12:46pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Love my Ford!


DW "Rose"
2008 Ford F250 Lariat, SD/CC, 4X4, 6.4L diesel, 6.5 ft. bed
2002 Cardinal 28WB, 5vr
Sidewinder Pinbox
2005 MX-5 MazdaSpeed Lava Orange MIca (rare)


Bigburd

Tennessee

Senior Member

Joined: 12/07/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club

Offline
Posted: 11/04/09 12:52pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator




07' Ford F-250 SD 6.0L
08' Keystone Sprinter 250 RBS


Capt Skup

Southern Maryland/Nantucket

Senior Member

Joined: 05/14/2004

View Profile



Posted: 11/04/09 12:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Since the 2500/3500 is the same cab structure as the 1500 series, I think now I understand why the whole front hood assembly would shake when my friend would tow his Mobile Suites, leaving a stop light with the 2500HD D/A. Just nothing there save for sheet metal to support the hood.

Roman11

San Diego, California

Senior Member

Joined: 08/24/2006

View Profile



Posted: 11/04/09 01:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

OK... I'm by no means an engineer but between the Dodge and Ford, Dodges' bottom member looks bigger or thicker than the Ford and the top look the same. I sure all of those extra holes control the way it collapses in a crash but all in all it doesn't look that much beefier?

I wonder where the Titan would have fit in. I'm hoping somewhere between the Toyota and surprising non-frame Chevy but I remember when the Titan came out they did have a pretty beefy frame.


A Family
A Boxer Dog
A Truck, a Trailer, a Hitch, a Brake Controller

ib516

Up here!

Senior Member

Joined: 04/18/2003

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/04/09 01:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Ford does make good 'infomercials'.

You have to wonder a few things about that video though:
- why 225 lbs?
- why 9" back to measure deflection?
- why hang the weight exactly where they did?
- why does a few thousands of an inch in frame deflection matter?
- where exactly did they take those frame sections from? Maybe in a different section of the frame, another manufacturer's frame would be bigger than the F150?
- I'd think wall thickness would also come into play, but it's not mentioned.

Ads like that are no where near an objective test. They spend a whole lot of money setting those up in minute detail so that the product they want to come out on top does. Period. Food for the weak mind and the easily swayed.

I prefer much more objective tests by 3rd parties.

That is to take nothing away from the F150 as a truck though. They are solidly built, and sell like hotcakes for a reason. With the new stronger engine they are about to get, they will now be back near the top in power too, which was the only thing lacking IMO.

You also gotta hand it to Ford for doing such a great job with those ads (and the other ones with Mike Rowe). Their advertising dept does a very good job.


2004 Cougar 301 BHS
"MEGACASPER" 2007 Dodge/5.9L Cummins/3500 SRW Megacab/48RE/4x4/3.73/10,100# GVWR
RV and truck weight = ~20,000#
Hypertech Max Energy

CLICK FOR NEW PICTURES
ELIM 3000 Generator
GO #88!
BOOOOOOOOOO 55 & 44!


Ductape

On the Road

Senior Member

Joined: 11/15/2005

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/04/09 03:07pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

And if you fact check it, the Chevy has five star crash rating and numbers just as good as the Ford, with "no structure".

So what does this prove? Apparently GM can build a lighter, more efficient truck than Ford and it will be just as safe.


Surveyor SV-234

carringb

Corvallis, OR

Senior Member

Joined: 07/28/2003

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/04/09 04:23pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

crash tests are performed with a uniform vertical shape (flat barrier or offset barrier). Where the hydroformed upper bracing is a huge benefit is during an "under-ride" crash, such as rear-ending a truck with a rear bumper higher than your front bumper.


Bryan

2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 250,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW


fly-boy

Los Angeles, CA

Senior Member

Joined: 11/05/2004

View Profile



Posted: 11/04/09 04:57pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I guess I would rather drive my no structure GM truck than push my Ford cause the Powerstroke died, won't start, has a bad sensor, shoots flames...

Just kidding-

No question Ford makes a great truck- As soon as they get a reliable motor I'll buy another. I really hope the next generation diesel motor is good as I'll be ready for a new truck next Winter.


2008 GMC 3500 SLT Duramax
2009 WW HKD plus 4 feet
2008 Custom Rhino
2005 CRF 450
2008 KTM 50
2006 KFX 50...

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 3  
Next

Open Roads Forum  >  Tow Vehicles

 > Where is the beef?
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Tow Vehicles


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:

© 2009 Trailer Life Magazine | Terms & Conditions | PRIVACY POLICY | YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS