Forum Discussion

bmanning's avatar
bmanning
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014

F150 aluminum & resulting MPG

Much lighter F150

Some "experts" predict 30mpg.

Sounds wildly optimistic to me but what do you guys think?

Can shaving 750lb result in that dramatic an increase?

Will that 750lb loss result in less control when towing?

27 Replies

  • my question is...

    reduce by 750 pounds.. but will the Frame be made stronger...??
    the loss of weight will mean ..
    less strong (weaker) springs/shocks/control arms!!!!!! Brakes... axles....
  • An aluminum truck?? Dont want that!! I have hit some bugs going thru the mid west that would total an aluminum truck!! You think a hail storm causes damage? Imagine what a few big bugs will do to your hood?? I ran into a swarm of Dragon flies driving a semi,, Sounded like I was being shot at!! If you have ever traveled down I-5 in California from Sacramento to Bakersfield you have encountered the Swallows that nest under the over passes,, I have hit a few of them with a truck fairing and cracked it!! (the fairing), The bird disintegrates!!
    Imagine a swallow smacking into an aluminum car or truck???
  • I don't see this helping the RV industry. It will only effect daily driving/empty. I get the same 10mpg average with my 4500 lb camper that I got with my 2900lb camper and my 6500lb camper. It's all about wind-resistance when towing. Plus, I don't want a lightweight truck when towing. I want something that's going to be able to control the weight of a camper. I don't want a lightwight aluminum truck that an RV is going to push all over the road.
  • Reporter got at least one thing wrong I think , both plants will not be shut at the same time one will continue to build the 'classic' for a while until the aluminum gets up to speed been some delay already.
  • RWDIII wrote:
    My 2 cents is they will match Ram 1500 and say 25 MPG if they have the 8 sp.
    Just for the heck of it I reduced my wt from 7700lbs to 7200 lb on my rig and gained .44mpg difference over a 950 mi trip.
    went from 13.33 avg to 13.77
    If you got a small 1/2 you would reduce it much more.
  • My 2 cents is they will match Ram 1500 and say 25 MPG if they have the 8 sp.
    Just for the heck of it I reduced my wt from 7700lbs to 7200 lb on my rig and gained .44mpg difference over a 950 mi trip.
    went from 13.33 avg to 13.77
  • I'm not surprised at better mpg for new F150. When towing you have to factor in wind resistance. Probably better mpg than older PUs. Most likely lower than what they say in their advertisement.