A friendly debate!
Am I the only one who thinks the idea of aluminum truck bodies is a bit off? Here's my reasoning:
1. We have them at work (F-150's) and travel on muddy roads and washboard gravel a lot. These things skitter all over the place compared to the older steel body F-150's. We run around 400#'s of sandbags in the box year round now. We find that the truck shudders when hitting potholes and such instead of absorbing the impacts.
2. I have to wonder about the towing capacities that are boasted in the ads. The vehicle may have the jam to pull the loads but how is the drivability and control when in crosswinds/slippery conditions when the truck is so light? A co-worker who has a personal one is not impressed with the trucks handling when towing his camper. He feels he's at the mercy of what the trailer wants him to do; tail wagging the dog type of scenario. He prefers to use his early 2000's Chev 1500 to tow, rust and all.
3. Ever have trouble getting an aluminum rim off a hub with a build up of white powder and corrosion after being subjected to road salt/moisture? I believe it's called metal electrolysis. What are the fasteners on theses vehicles going to look like in 10/15 years where the mating of aluminum/metal happens?
4. Anyone in the bodywork business? I suspect the idea of replacing pre-painted panels has some value for large repairs, but what about small fender benders that guys like us used to tackle with torches and/or mig welders, those days are over aren't they? And would you replace the whole cab if you dent a cab corner? That would be pricey! I would believe working with aluminum bodies wrt welding/stretching metal would be a bit of an art, no?
And is it just Ford going the aluminum route these days, pretty sure Ram isn't but not sure about GM products.
I'm still flogging a 2006 Ram 3500 w/5.9 Cummins which has already needed bodywork around the rear 1/4's. A bit disappointing but the things pulls like peewee herman in a theatre and doesn't get pushed around by my trailers. I (horribly late) just started getting it rust proofed every other year to extend it's life. To be completely honest I wouldn't have the foggiest idea as to which truck I would replace it with once wore out?
Bring it!