The OFFICIAL Steel vs. Aluminum Fact-Checking Thread
06-07-2018, 01:02 PM
#121
ok I understand technology has come a long ways, & now a days theres no way getting around not buying a aluminum vehicle if you want something newer.
though my question is if I buy a aluminum body truck will I need to worry about a hail storm ?
will the new tech alum. body trucks hold up fairly to a hail storm like steel or will I cringe anytime hail is forecasted & expect to make a claim/total loss because now it looks like a golf ball.
though my question is if I buy a aluminum body truck will I need to worry about a hail storm ?
will the new tech alum. body trucks hold up fairly to a hail storm like steel or will I cringe anytime hail is forecasted & expect to make a claim/total loss because now it looks like a golf ball.
06-07-2018, 02:38 PM
#122
Ti-VCT Just Kicked In Yo!
ok I understand technology has come a long ways, & now a days theres no way getting around not buying a aluminum vehicle if you want something newer.
though my question is if I buy a aluminum body truck will I need to worry about a hail storm ?
will the new tech alum. body trucks hold up fairly to a hail storm like steel or will I cringe anytime hail is forecasted & expect to make a claim/total loss because now it looks like a golf ball.
though my question is if I buy a aluminum body truck will I need to worry about a hail storm ?
will the new tech alum. body trucks hold up fairly to a hail storm like steel or will I cringe anytime hail is forecasted & expect to make a claim/total loss because now it looks like a golf ball.
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06-07-2018, 04:58 PM
#123
Aluminum has more springiness to it than steel so it is more resistant to dings from hail. I forget what they call it, but you could bend a piece of aluminum a slight bit and it will return to it's former shape. You have to over bend it in order to get the correct amount of bend.
06-14-2018, 11:05 AM
#124
Official HTT Greeter
Since 2016, my truck has been through several hail storms and has no damage at all. Both parked and driving 40-70mph through hail...It was LOUD!! and I thought a few times it might crack my windshield, but all came out good.
As a related note, I was rear-ended at a stop by an early 2000/late '90s chevy car. The car's front right fender met the left rear corner of my bumper and fender. Her front fender was caved in rubbing the tire. My bumper and fender is missing some black paint and picked up some white paint....I'm sure my steel bumper is what caused most of the damage to her steel fender. But nonetheless, my aluminum fender is still in factory shape (minus the paint)
As a related note, I was rear-ended at a stop by an early 2000/late '90s chevy car. The car's front right fender met the left rear corner of my bumper and fender. Her front fender was caved in rubbing the tire. My bumper and fender is missing some black paint and picked up some white paint....I'm sure my steel bumper is what caused most of the damage to her steel fender. But nonetheless, my aluminum fender is still in factory shape (minus the paint)
Last edited by SixShooter14; 06-14-2018 at 11:09 AM.
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06-23-2018, 07:53 PM
#125
Thank you to those that have replied to my question about aluminum body trucks & hail.
Set's me at a little ease to buy a aluminum body truck, not that I really have a option if I want a newer truck but its good to hear they can hold up - within reason of size of hail.
Set's me at a little ease to buy a aluminum body truck, not that I really have a option if I want a newer truck but its good to hear they can hold up - within reason of size of hail.
07-04-2018, 11:09 AM
#126
Just joining this thread, have there been many comments yet on aluminum v. steel running boards and nerf bars?
I know we tend to see stainless steel running boards holding up the best in cold, snowy (read: salty) weather conditions as well as sandy conditions.
I know we tend to see stainless steel running boards holding up the best in cold, snowy (read: salty) weather conditions as well as sandy conditions.
07-24-2018, 05:34 PM
#127
Aircraft..
I ran across this thread so couldn't help reading then adding a thought.
As a retired aircraft engineer for a major company (the comercial ones you most likely fly on today), aluminum (and it's derivatives) have been pressure tested - extruded - molded - welded and otherwise engineered to withstand tremendious loads and cycles of service life. Steel and aluminium all have tensile strength life spans - steel becomes brittle over time wheras aluminum may loose its tensile strength beyond acceptable engineered service life of whatever design part so specified. Thats why airliners have a set service life before recycling. A steel submarine does as well. Wing spars and attachment struts are all aluminum derivatives. Next time you look out the airplane window and see your wing bobbing up and down in turbulence - thats engineered aluminum doing its thing. In the case of automotive applications of steel vs aluminum, aluminum has always been viewed as superior for most but not all applications - but untill the last 20 years has become more cost efficient for mass use. Steel has advantages in high heat with load associations. Density imbalance of steel vs aluminum are also relevant (aluminum is lighter and on a per weight basis in most cases - stronger or same with less density).
Ford is ahead of the game verses others in its category and has made a tremendous investment in capital to push their engineering and product to the next level. The Germans have been way ahead in the automotive environment using aluminum. They have been known to produce great automobiles.
The next shoe to drop - epoxy composition materials in cars and trucks as a mass produced process. They are already making the first high performance wheels using this system.
As a retired aircraft engineer for a major company (the comercial ones you most likely fly on today), aluminum (and it's derivatives) have been pressure tested - extruded - molded - welded and otherwise engineered to withstand tremendious loads and cycles of service life. Steel and aluminium all have tensile strength life spans - steel becomes brittle over time wheras aluminum may loose its tensile strength beyond acceptable engineered service life of whatever design part so specified. Thats why airliners have a set service life before recycling. A steel submarine does as well. Wing spars and attachment struts are all aluminum derivatives. Next time you look out the airplane window and see your wing bobbing up and down in turbulence - thats engineered aluminum doing its thing. In the case of automotive applications of steel vs aluminum, aluminum has always been viewed as superior for most but not all applications - but untill the last 20 years has become more cost efficient for mass use. Steel has advantages in high heat with load associations. Density imbalance of steel vs aluminum are also relevant (aluminum is lighter and on a per weight basis in most cases - stronger or same with less density).
Ford is ahead of the game verses others in its category and has made a tremendous investment in capital to push their engineering and product to the next level. The Germans have been way ahead in the automotive environment using aluminum. They have been known to produce great automobiles.
The next shoe to drop - epoxy composition materials in cars and trucks as a mass produced process. They are already making the first high performance wheels using this system.
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09-01-2018, 11:19 AM
#128
Senior Member
high strength lightweight steel and aluminum combined are perfect fit for trucks/cars, and this debate will never end...
Steel- Body Structure stronger ( bumpers,frame, interior structure, side impact beams,etc.. ) less expensive to build and fix
Aluminum - hood,tailgate, doors reduces weight and just replaceable .
Aluminum will still corrode too, and as far as major accidents that doesn't really matter as all "newer" cars and Trucks are build to crush on impact to save lives.
and STEEL is the long-term growth of the North American job market, as the mining of coal, ore and limestone, as well as the primary material conversions, all occurs in the United States.
more recycled product versus alum, greener for environment, thinner, stronger, easier and most cost effective to overall shape and magnetic.
Alum has its place ( is vehicles ) just not all Alum. unless your want a tin can of soup
*lifetime FORD family, however - my 2014 F150 will not be replaced with another F150 - probably in 1-2 years with a RANGER ! hopefully
Steel- Body Structure stronger ( bumpers,frame, interior structure, side impact beams,etc.. ) less expensive to build and fix
Aluminum - hood,tailgate, doors reduces weight and just replaceable .
Aluminum will still corrode too, and as far as major accidents that doesn't really matter as all "newer" cars and Trucks are build to crush on impact to save lives.
and STEEL is the long-term growth of the North American job market, as the mining of coal, ore and limestone, as well as the primary material conversions, all occurs in the United States.
more recycled product versus alum, greener for environment, thinner, stronger, easier and most cost effective to overall shape and magnetic.
Alum has its place ( is vehicles ) just not all Alum. unless your want a tin can of soup
*lifetime FORD family, however - my 2014 F150 will not be replaced with another F150 - probably in 1-2 years with a RANGER ! hopefully
09-04-2018, 02:02 AM
#129
I would only add that the 2016 stops very quick at say 60 mph for a full sized Crew Cab truck.
