Carbon fiber bed for GMC

[Groover]

This article on the coming carbon fiber bed is interesting.

Car and Driver on the carbon fiber bed

I was surprised to see how much the bed flexes under impact. That is actually a good thing as it absorbs the impact without damage. Rust proof is great too. They claim an extra cubic foot of volume and if saves you from adding a bed liner that could add another one or two cubic to your usable volume.

Since I have and many others have bed liners in may be most appropriate to compare cost and weight after the bed liner is added. That would probably make it more appealing since I was disappointed the mere 60lb savings and a bed liner seems to run around $500. I am not sure how carbon fiber holds up in the cold, as I recall that was the downfall of the last non-metal bed the GM tried. However, they do mention a snowmobile test so lets hope that they have that covered. Another big issue GM has had with innovative features in the past is getting dealers to put them on the lot. Maybe they will get that figured out too.

[RedRocket204]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Not sure what video you were watching but the one in the Car and Driver article clearly shows the cider and landscaping blocks contacting the bed with the edge of the blocks.

My point was is that none of those cinder blocks had anything close to being a sharp point on them that hit the truck bed. Yes, they do show one block hitting on the edge... but again, that is different as the impact force is spread out quite a bit and not sharp. CF usually doesn't hold up well to pointy impacts. The other block that does hit on the corner appears to not be sharp or pointy.
The other thing, which I didn't mention about the video, no way to tell how high up the block are falling in that video so the impact force could be less. That is strictly a guess though.
But I'll give credit to GM's marketing department as they certainly have tailored the minutest of details to their favor without it being obvious.

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
However you can clearly see what looks like a chunk missing in the center of the bed after the landscaping blocks and during the first portion of the cinder block section. So this bed does not look much better than Fords box to me.

And that is where CF is prone to fail. Usually starts with something that is small and doesn't look so bad. Think of it in a way like a windshield rock chip. That usually leads to spider cracking. But again, a heavy duty rubber protective bed mat would probably more than take care of anything causing issues.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

RedRocket204 wrote:

As per GM's video of the cinder blocks falling. Notice not one of those blocks fell with a "sharp" point making contact onto the bed like GM did on the aluminum beds. Good slight of hand there and people are "buying it up" so GM marketing is doing their job.

EDIT: I suppose I should back up and say that I probably wouldn't be opposed to either a carbon fiber or aluminum truck bed if I were using one of those thick, heavy duty bed mats.But then the weight of that probably completely negates any weight savings you get on the materials change for the skin of the truck bed.

Not sure what video you were watching but the one in the Car and Driver article clearly shows the cider and landscaping blocks contacting the bed with the edge of the blocks.

However you can clearly see what looks like a chunk missing in the center of the bed after the landscaping blocks and during the first portion of the cinder block section. So this bed does not look much better than Fords box to me.

Here is the full video goto the one minute thirteen second mark and you can see the large chunk missing then move to the one minute seventeen second mark which is an overview of the bed and that missing gouge is not there! GM you better look out Ford will be making you look as dumb as you did to them! Link

Don

[RedRocket204]

BenK wrote:
The point is that plastic is very good to GREAT in the right applications. IMHO, a pickup bed is not one of them...by a large measure

I'm absolutely with you on this as I've been around plenty of carbon fiber applications as well. Mainly MTBs but I also have 3 carbon fiber helmets too. I have easily chipped one of my CF helmets but I would agree with those who said a CF helmet may be a poor example to compare to a CF truck bed.

Now, CF MTBs. Completely different story and it is extremely easy to find examples of CF MTBs cracking, chipping, having complete failures and more. The technology is getting better so impact resistance is coming along but it is far from perfect yet. But I agree with you about not putting your CF bikes in contact with any moving metal structure as that is very likely to damage, even if a little, your CF bike frame which can then lead to much bigger issues. Sometimes all that needs to happen is a small chip, metal or rock impact and then that has begun the beginning of the end of that frame in that area. However, it can generally be repaired, not always but many times can. Depends on where the repair is needing to be completed.

Another example I'll point out is look for stories with regards wind generation turbine blades. Many, many problems with chipping on those and those were also supposedly built to resist chipping from... weather.

As per GM's video of the cinder blocks falling. Notice not one of those blocks fell with a "sharp" point making contact onto the bed like GM did on the aluminum beds. Good slight of hand there and people are "buying it up" so GM marketing is doing their job.

EDIT: I suppose I should back up and say that I probably wouldn't be opposed to either a carbon fiber or aluminum truck bed if I were using one of those thick, heavy duty bed mats.But then the weight of that probably completely negates any weight savings you get on the materials change for the skin of the truck bed.

[Huntindog]

After the extensive testing that GM did on truck beds..... I am sure that they will not do anything that would embarrass themselves.

I am also sure that if it is done right, that it can work well. I will be interested to see it.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

rexlion wrote:
It amuses me when I recall that GM ran ads not so long ago, extolling the virtues of their steel pickup beds (versus Ford's then-new aluminum beds). And now they may be abandoning the oh-so-wonderful steel beds. 😄

If GM does go to Carbon Fiber beds you can bet Ford will be running some of their own testing just like GM did to them. This should be amusing when it comes out.

Don

Looks like Ford will have a tough time getting this bed to fail. Good job G.M., they should make it an option on the Chevy too.

"In addition to drop tests with cinder blocks, gravel, and steel drums, the company performed extreme temperature testing and something it calls the snowmobile test, in which a 250-pound rider revved up a sled with a studded track inside the truck bed to see how it would hold up. The company says the only damage done was some "minimal scratching.""

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

BenK wrote:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cX8TzXnlTok

Figures...certain types of folks (poop heads)would sue that garden supply...even aluminum would be better than plastic pickup beads

Really Ben? The poop head would be the the guy in the loader not the customer. I made the clown at the "garden center" pay for the repairs to my 2004 Ram when the clown dumped stone down the side of the bed. The owner told me he wasn't responsible for the damage caused by his employee. About four weeks later he sent me a check for $3800 the cost of the body and paint work.

I would bet dimes to dollars you would do the same thing if someone damaged your vehicle on purpose also Ben.

Don

[GeoBoy]

rexlion wrote:
It amuses me when I recall that GM ran ads not so long ago, extolling the virtues of their steel pickup beds (versus Ford's then-new aluminum beds). And now they may be abandoning the oh-so-wonderful steel beds. 😄

Not really, they are improving their vehicles with new technologies, just like Ford is. What will be next?

[rexlion]

It amuses me when I recall that GM ran ads not so long ago, extolling the virtues of their steel pickup beds (versus Ford's then-new aluminum beds). And now they may be abandoning the oh-so-wonderful steel beds. 😄

[agesilaus]

I just read an article and so far as I know Graphene is not being commercially used anywhere. Indeed they are looking at Borophene which may be easier to mass produce.

Seems to me if I was habitually beaching a boat I'd bond a sheet of thin SS sheet to that area of the bow.

[BenK]

My anchor, chain, scuba tanks, compressor, etc are all tied down against a stress distribution matt between them and the plastic boat. Also don’t drop my stuff into the boat, ever. Know and understand that plastic will not last nor designed for that kind of use

Even soft and lighter things like ice chest, food box, fishing tackle box, survival box, etc are all tied down

Never beached mine, but partners did and there was always a yearly chore to clean that spot, reapply gel-coat, etc. One of the last straws was when discovered algae growing all around where they beached it. Bubblies underneath the gel coat said only a matter of time before it had to be ground down and repaired

Last straw was their installation of two hugmongo outboards. IIRC, +300 HP each and knew that the transom was not designed for that amount of power. So sold out my part of the ownership

The point is that plastic is very good to GREAT in the right applications. IMHO, a pickup bed is not one of them...by a large measure

Graphene is cool stuff. Was VERY expensive, until some Chinese college kids discovered a much lower cost method to produce, but its use is still experimental at this time. Plus Graphene will need to be layered and current best is poly of some sort. Then that epoxy will become the weak link...as it is with both glass and carbon fiber

[Groover]

BenK wrote:
There are good applications for plastic....helmets and boats are a few...

But, in context...ask how many times have you loaded up your boat with fertilizer, dirt, 1 inch gravel, and the biggie...cobble stones ?

No but I do carry anchors, anchor chains, scuba tanks and the boat does get beached some. As with most salt water boats it is made to be driven standing up in heavy seas so that you don't compress your spine when slamming into waves. It does get banked around some.

[GordonThree]

Why not build one out of the premium carbon fiber, Graphene?

If you believe the hype, a sheet made from Graphene only a single atom thick is strong enough to support the weight of an elephant or small car..

[Campfire_Time]

BenK wrote:

Note, that helmets are a one time use thing....a pickup bed is NOT

A pickup bed doesn't have to protect a persons's head either. That's why the helmet is one time use.

BenK wrote:

But, it is a personal choice and hope they know/understand the attributes vs metal...not just the bragging rights or cool factor

GM certainly knows. Buyers may not. I think this is a great idea and a good application of carbon fiber material. The real question is will buyers be willing to pay for it?

[BenK]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cX8TzXnlTok

Figures...certain types of folks (poop heads)would sue that garden supply...even aluminum would be better than plastic pickup beads