2015 Ford F-150 Aluminum Bed

ScottG wrote:
Or plastic beds. Seemed like a novel idea when GM did it some years ago but since they abandoned it there must have been some kind of problem.
Still, it seem like an injection molded bed would be very durable and light.

Toyota Tacoma has a composite bed. It works fine, but one cannot mount a 5th wheel hitch in the bed without making mods. That could be a big detractor in a full size pickup like the F150.

otrfun wrote:

MARKW8 wrote:
I want to see one after 5+ years in the rust belt. See how it holds up against corrosion.

Mark

Don't need to wait. Look around the salt-infested parking lot of any boat ramp on the east and west coast. The difference in corrosion between steel and aluminum trailers is pretty hard to miss--especially on the boat trailers that use a combination of steel and aluminum components.

I would expect Ford to make more effort than most any trailer mfg to deter corrosion.

Mark

MARKW8 wrote:
I want to see one after 5+ years in the rust belt. See how it holds up against corrosion.

Mark

Don't need to wait. Look around the salt-infested parking lot of any boat ramp on the east and west coast. The difference in corrosion between steel and aluminum trailers is pretty hard to miss--especially on the boat trailers that use a combination of steel and aluminum components.

I want to see one after 5+ years in the rust belt. See how it holds up against corrosion.

Mark

Toyota should feel proud ford copied a tundra and called it a 2015 F-150

FishOnOne wrote:

Perhaps Lincoln should take notes too. Their marketing with Mathew M. has got to be some of the worst I've seen in a while.

Well, Ford disagrees with you. Lincoln is doing great, up 15% YTD before December's numbers come in. Ford is pleased with the results. Sorry you are not.

sch911 wrote:

jmtandem wrote:
The bar has been raised again. Up to 700 pounds lighter according to the video and apparently stronger or at least less prone to damage. Got to wonder when GM and Ram will be introducing aluminum beds?

OK so FYI, the 2015 Ford has an all aluminum body, not just the bed, and that's why it's 700# lighter that the comparable 2014 model.

It's the combination of an aluminum body and a lighter high strength steel frame that give the weight reduction. I read some where that it is roughly 550 lbs. in weight savings from the aluminum body.

There are a lot of benefits to the lighter aluminum . That said if it does get damaged good luck in finding a competent shop to make repairs. Expect much higher repair costs and subsequently higher insurance rates. while aluminum panels can be repaired its much more difficult and time consuming and the vast majority of body men struggle with it usually opting to replace rather than repair.

mich800 wrote:

jmtandem wrote:
The bar has been raised again. Up to 700 pounds lighter according to the video and apparently stronger or at least less prone to damage. Got to wonder when GM and Ram will be introducing aluminum beds?

GM will be on board after they run the Howie Long commercials highlighting their competitions features and ultimately follow.

Howie did some good ones too!

Link 1

Link 2

mich800 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

ib516 wrote:
Ford always does such a great job with their advertising - particularly online. The other guys should take lessons.

Perhaps Lincoln should take notes too. Their marketing with Mathew M. has got to be some of the worst I've seen in a while.

Here's some more marketing:
Link 1[

/url]

Link 2

Not for Saturday Night Live.

You got that right...