A Look at Why Ford is Taking So Much Heat Over their Aluminum Truck Design

 Automotive  

Ford is getting a lot criticism over their aluminum truck design. Although the new aluminum body offers a lot of benefits, there are issues with using it instead of the traditional steel.

The Ford F-150 models are known as one of the top selling trucks, however, as of late Ford has been getting a lot of grief due to the 2015 Ford F-150 because of the new aluminum body. Ford points out that making the “bold move” to aluminum gives drivers better handling and towing capacity. But there are some serious drawbacks to making vehicles out of aluminum, which is leading to some heavy criticism. Take a look at the potential issues with using aluminum for these cars, and what people are saying about the decision:

The Cost of R&D

The cost of research and development and re-tooling factories means that these first aluminum trucks will most likely be expensive for a long time. This extra cost is not likely to be offset by savings at the pump now that fuel costs are sinking.

Corrosion vs. Rust

The body of the new F-150 is aluminum, not the frame. This is because steel is still the best metal to protect you in a crash. This means that everywhere the aluminum body is joined to the steel frame there is the potential for the metal to fail due to galvanic corrosion. This is a process similar to rust caused when different metals come in contact with each other. The end result is the same. Ford’s response is to apply a coating to all bolts and rivets, but it is important to remember that coatings wear off.

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Metal Fatigue

By definition, aluminum is more prone to metal fatigue and failure than steel. Repetitive stresses on your truck’s body may create cracks in the metal that could enlarge over time. Every time you slam the hood or the tailgate, the metal flexes. Over time, cracks may develop and enlarge. We saw something similar happen in a demonstration video where an impact caused the aluminum to crack in several places.

Expensive to Repair, Expensive to Insure

Repairs can cost four times the amount of the repair to a traditional steel body. Impacts cause the aluminum to flex and crack, causing other parts to break. Knowing insurance companies, if it costs more to fix, it will cost more to insure.

Things are Heating Up

During a test drive, a Ford aluminum prototype truck caught fire and burned to nothing but the frame and a blob of aluminum in about twenty minutes. This is because aluminum melts at temperatures much lower than steel. For obvious reasons, this is a concern for many drivers and dealers. While the new Ford F-150 model has many benefits such as a lighter design for easier towing and better fuel economy, skeptics still have concerns about the use of aluminum. 

Only time will tell how this model fares on the market. The introduction of new materials into established designs does open the door to other innovations in material use.



SOURCE  The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd., who specialize in tires in Edmonton. Image Source: wrcbtv.com

By Dixie Somers

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