RES4CUE

I've had coffee and thought that most could make the easy jump between my comparison. I wasn't comparing planes to trucks, I used it to support the idea of using light weight materials that yield strength. That is what Ford is doing, using lighter weight materials yet still maintaining superior strength via strength to weight ratio.

The point about planes was that they use mostly lightweight materials yet are still crazy strong yet people are doubting that some aluminum in a truck will somehow make it vastly inferior to the 09-13 and older.


As to which truck I would want to be in! Modern all day long! Having seen all types of wrecks involving all years of cars and trucks, I'll take modern any day! I've been to several extrication classes where we break down vehicles and their materials and technologies. This allows us first responders to fine tune ours skills when cutting people out. You see, older cars and trucks had no absorption through building, no crumple zones ect. Some relied on shock absorber type bumpers but trucks were mounted straight to frame horns! No air bags, no collapsing steering columns. You get the idea!


The whole idea of technology today is to avoid transferring the energy of a wreck into the passenger compartment. That is why you have all the crumple zones that collapse in wrecks, they absorb the energy and displace it around the passenger compartment towards the rear. That is why they don't use just one type of material in rockers, sub frames, ect.

You beer can analogy has no bearing here as the aluminum ones aren't designed for safety and are just a vessel for liquid refreshment. Actually, they may have designed that way because too many "hey watch this" guys were knocking themselves unconscious trying to crush the cans on their heads so they were designed using aluminum to crush easier.

RES4CUE

Doesn't matter, with all the airbags now even a person not wearing a belt in a modern vehicle has a way better chance of walking away!

Also, basic seatbelt tech has come a long way from basic lap and 3 point belts. They now have pretensioners and other features to help restrain the passenger more safely.

RES4CUE

So you didn't read my post, I was also comparing aluminum to steel with the planes thing. I fully understand the weight issue but my point was that if engineered correctly that lightweight materials will be substantially strong than steel while being lighter.

If you think door and roof skins are what a trucks safety ratings are built on you would be wrong! These are merely cosmetic and add no rigidity to the safety "cage" that the truck is built around. Yes they are flimsy but I'm not worried about my safety as I've seen the intrusion bar in the doors and they are massive!

Truck owner

Everyone brings valid information into this discussion, these things do usually get off track and become a pissing contest. Many good posts here and the only thing we can agree on is we all like FORD trucks. Whatever Ford chooses to do and make moving forward is a wait and see and then judge situation. Sorta like when EB hit the streets. That's been beat to death. If I offended anyone with my comments, lighthearted or not,,I apologize, was not my intent. Lots of good info and debate here. I guess we will all have to wait and see what Ford rolls out for the new F150 to pass judgement.

RES4CUE

No worries, love a good debate with some lightheartedness sprinkled on top!

You're correct, the ole wait and see.

21RRF150

iTrader: (1)

Right on

packplantpath

The way I think about safety is that modern cars look like crap after accidents but the occupants are fine. Back in the day the vehicle looked fine and the occupants were in bad shape.

RES4CUE

Bingo!