In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Pickup Trucks

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by NYCountry, Sep 29, 2015.

  1. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    While aluminum will not "rust", it will corrode in a salt water environment, just not quite as easily as steel. Generally, aluminum also doesn't react to repetitive stresses well. Certain alloys are far better than others but aluminum is much more likely to crack or break welds in high stress areas.

    I'm sure Ford's engineers have pondered all of this so I'm actually quite eager to see how it goes. I thought they did Al body panels, but the frame going aluminum is news to me? (Doesn't mean it didn't happen!)
     
  2. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Yes, you are correct, body, not frame. Aluminum can oxidize as well. I wouldnt pull the trigger yet on the new alum ford, id rather see how it does over the next few years; crash tests, welds as you mentioned, etc. But, if they fair well, the fuel savings having a lighter truck, or ability to haul more would be a selling point for me.
     
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  3. mdavlee

    mdavlee

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    How much wood you haul at a time also will factor in and if you want a trailer later. I've filled my bed with green white oak til it wouldn't stay on it any more without side boards. Probably close to 2 ton. Handles it fine. Not sure how good a 1/2 ton would do loading the bed full of green oak.
     
  4. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Although I ended up with my husbands allison/duramax, he REALLY likes his 2014 GMC 2500HD. Much smaller gas tank than his 1999 F250 diesel, but it does what he needs it to despite the more frequent gas tank fillings. And almost as importantly, he likes the ergonomics and ride (he still drives many many miles per year).
     
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  5. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    There are limits. Lol. I know I don't load mine like I would my old 3500.
     
  6. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    That has been a big positive for GM trucks, especially 3/4s and 1T models for a long time now. Love the ergos and drivability on them!
     
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  7. Deererainman

    Deererainman

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    $35k and it's yours, just need a tow hitch installed/b4e35b4be0dd0a84fc60830b6de780ee.jpg[/IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015
  8. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

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    The half tons today are more truck than the 3/4 ton of 10 years ago. I think a half ton is all the truck you need, you just need to watch the payload. Some half tons can haul over 3k lbs. There are some that have extremely low payloads (under 500lbs), the truck is basically loaded to the max with passengers. Something else to consider is the towing capacity. Also don't ask the dealer what the payload is on the truck or how much it can tow. Most of them don't have a clue. You need to do the research and figure that out yourself. Figure out what brand truck you want and what options you want then go on cars.com and search for the best price on a truck like you want. Usually the bigger the dealer, the better the price is, and the smaller the dealer the higher the price is.
     
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  9. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

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    The body is just aluminum. Ford ran a 2014 F-150 through the Baja but it had an aluminum body, and 2015 frame, suspension and the new 2.7 engine. Once they were done with the Baja they through a windshield in the truck to make it street legal and drove it back to Michigan. If the aluminum body held up in Baja it should be fine for normal daily driving.
     
  10. cgraham1

    cgraham1

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    One thing to consider, those Toyotas get horrible fuel mileage. 20 MPG with my '06 Cummins Ram (and that's a 7300 lb. truck), while the Toyotas I've seen get 15 or less (way less when loaded or towing). A friend of mine hauled a 4000 lb. trailer from Iowa to Ca. and averaged 7 MPG.
     
  11. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

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    but the lie-o-meter in the dash shows the tundra getting 19mpg
     
  12. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Body panels I agree. A frame however would more interesting. I have some experience with all aluminum trailers and it's not uncommon for them to pop a weld here and there.
     
  13. cgraham1

    cgraham1

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    I drove a 5.7 equipped Toyota Sequoia from NorCal to San Francisco, and back, and could only manage about 14 MPG (hand calc'd), and that was freeway driving while trying to get good mileage. If I had driven normal, it would've gotten even worse mileage. They do make nice vehicles, though.
     
  14. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

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    Some cars like the Corvette have an aluminum frame. I've heard bad things about aluminum trailers.
     
  15. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    There's good 'uns. And then there's not so good 'uns.

    Like everything else, you get exactly what you paid for.
     
  16. Drvn4wood

    Drvn4wood

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    I think someone mentioned it already, but this is a good time of year to buy new with model year clearance sales. I bought mine in October of 13 when all the 14's were arriving.. Ended up getting 11k off sticker on the 13.. They had an almost identical 14 that would have been about 5k more..
     
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  17. Deererainman

    Deererainman

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    NYCountry, I've been driving a 02 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, 4cyl, 5 spd. I average 20mpg, by contrast my 95 F350 4x4, Crew Cab, Long Bed, 7.3 diesel knocks down 23 mpg on a regular basis. The only reason I don't sell the Toyota is the low cost of operation and ease of parking at work.

    I've been looking at F250's & F350's , but I'm waiting to see the Nissan Titan with the V8 Cummins.
     
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  18. NYCountry

    NYCountry

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    I was talking to a friend this morning and he was telling me he can get me a great deal on a Silverado so I think it maybe chevy for me
     
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  19. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    Yeah old toyota 5 speeds 4 cylinders are great then they built big trucks and forgot efficiency.. You like everyone else won sell me one:(
     
  20. Jack Straw

    Jack Straw

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    A friend of mine bought a Chevy that had a $45k sticker price and he paid 37k (plus tax).