King of the beasts test (RAM 3500 vs F450)

Wiley75 wrote:

RoyJ wrote:
Ford really needs to update their frame.

Both the RAM and Chevy are on hydroformed and fully boxed frames (the RAM is on 3rd gen, first one in 2007). While Ford's frame design dates back to the first "Superduty", still C-channel at the back.

Guess we better write a letter to KW, Peterbilt, Navistar, Caterpillar, and other Class 8 truck mfgs and tell them that they are doing it all wrong. :W

Seriously though. Who says a C channel is always inferior? I don't think it's that cut and dry.

A C frame can be inspected and painted to help deal with rust. On a box frame water and junk will collect inside and it will rust from the inside out with no simple means for prevention/detection until it's too late.

Once the inside starts to rust and flake, that rust will accumulate on the bottom of the frame and will help to retain water and increase the speed of the rotting process.


When mounting stuff on box frame you need to use blind fasteners, like rivnuts, or some internal support to keep from crushing the frame with a through bolt.

Once the inside of the frame starts to rot out, those blind fasteners will seize and removing bolts to service or replace parts becomes a huge PITA requiring drilling/cutting/sourcing fastners, etc.

Given the same weight rating, I would take a C frame over a boxed frame every time.