F150 aluminum & resulting MPG
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โJan-02-2014 07:41 AM
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?
baking in Phoenix :C
-2007 Volvo XC90 AWD V8
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6100lb GVW 5000lb tow
-1999 Land Cruiser
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6860 GVW 6500lb tow
RV'less at the moment
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โJan-06-2014 07:01 AM
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Less weight might make a difference in town, where lower speed's the rule. Highway driving- nah. As mentioned before, at highway speeds it's almost all about aerodynamics except maybe on long uphill pulls.
I'm thinking the market for this pickup is grocery-getter/town "truck", so the lower weight fuel saving "advantage" will probably appeal to that market.
True, but who drives exclusively expressway with no speed variations. Even someone who drives mostly highway will have statistically significant time accelerating getting to the expressway. After all, what kills average MPG? It is the city portion driving the average down. Increase this part with no improvement in the highway MPG and you have an overall better MPG.
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โJan-05-2014 06:26 PM
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Less weight might make a difference in town, where lower speed's the rule. Highway driving- nah. As mentioned before, at highway speeds it's almost all about aerodynamics except maybe on long uphill pulls.
I'm thinking the market for this pickup is grocery-getter/town "truck", so the lower weight fuel saving "advantage" will probably appeal to that market.
I feel sure that there will be some models aimed at max fuel milage but I want to believe that Ford with have to keep the beefier models to stay in competition with the new offerings from Chevy and Ram. Hopefully it all will become clear within two weeks. Personally, I am hoping for an air suspension like the one Ram offers.
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โJan-05-2014 05:02 PM
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โJan-05-2014 03:38 PM
Powerdude wrote:
Why bother with something as expensive as aluminum?
Ford should use duroplast, which is what they used in the East German Trabant.
Duroplast
Won't corrode, can be stamped, and when you want to dispose of it, feed it to pigs or shred it and put it in concrete mixes.
Low weight too.
Gotta love this material. This would make great stuff for RVs. Unless, of course, it caught on fire, was attacked by pigs or got the wrong bacteria on it. :B
hone eagle wrote:Powerdude wrote:
Why bother with something as expensive as aluminum?
Ford should use duroplast, which is what they used in the East German Trabant.
Duroplast
Won't corrode, can be stamped, and when you want to dispose of it, feed it to pigs or shred it and put it in concrete mixes.
Low weight too.
Ford will go you one better
cellulose fiber
bio degradable , if you get stranded you can eat your centre console
From steel sheeted wood subframe beginnings back to wood fiber again. Bring back the Woody! Well, wood is as strong as steel per weight, when properly used. :B
Wes
...
- 2019 Leprechaun 311FS Class C
- Linda, Wes and Quincy the Standard Brown Poodle
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โJan-05-2014 06:31 AM
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)
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โJan-05-2014 06:17 AM
Powerdude wrote:
Why bother with something as expensive as aluminum?
Ford should use duroplast, which is what they used in the East German Trabant.
Duroplast
Won't corrode, can be stamped, and when you want to dispose of it, feed it to pigs or shred it and put it in concrete mixes.
Low weight too.
Ford will go you one better
cellulose fiber
bio degradable , if you get stranded you can eat your centre console
Newmar 34rsks 2008
Hensley trailersaver TSLB2H
directlink brake controller
-when overkill is cheaper-
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โJan-05-2014 04:39 AM
Ford should use duroplast, which is what they used in the East German Trabant.
Duroplast
Won't corrode, can be stamped, and when you want to dispose of it, feed it to pigs or shred it and put it in concrete mixes.
Low weight too.
2001 Lance 820
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โJan-04-2014 10:32 PM
2013 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 SRW |Cummins @ 370/800| 68RFE| 3.42 gears
Currently Rig-less (still shopping and biding my time)
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โJan-04-2014 06:17 PM
hone eagle wrote:SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Semi truck cabs/bodies have been made from aluminum for years. F150s will do just fine with aluminum bodies. ๐
I have seen frames as well,not sure why - payload ?
Exactly!
Had a neighbor that was a log hauler, he ran aluminum wheels not for looks, but for the weight savings.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#
"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"
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โJan-04-2014 04:53 PM
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โJan-04-2014 04:52 PM
On typical DOT class 3-5 trucks, steel wood flatbeds are in the 125 lbs per foot range, as I recall, an aluminum is 25-50 lbs lighter per foot. I could be wrong on the lbs, but still it is lighter.
As also noted, some aluminum frames etc can bend, once bent harder to fix than steel. Also it is typically softer, so other issues depending upon the what you are hauling etc should be avoided.
I would spec an aluminum flatbed on one of my trucks in a heart beat. Issues is, cost is about double$$$$$. Altho with steel right now going thru the roof. may not be as costly today as last time I priced things about 4yrs ago.
Marty
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
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โJan-04-2014 04:47 PM
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Semi truck cabs/bodies have been made from aluminum for years. F150s will do just fine with aluminum bodies. ๐
I have seen frames as well,not sure why - payload ?
Newmar 34rsks 2008
Hensley trailersaver TSLB2H
directlink brake controller
-when overkill is cheaper-
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โJan-04-2014 04:39 PM
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โJan-04-2014 01:28 PM