Article Comments 2007 Half-Ton Pickups Comparison

259 messages, Last post on Nov 02, 2007 at 2:16 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, Truck

Article comments for Comparison Test: 2007 Half-Ton Pickup Trucks - For almost two weeks, we drove all three trucks in a variety of terrain including urban crush, freeways and gravel roads. We loaded and unloaded them, poked and prodded them, and even dyno-tested them. (more)

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#250 of 259 More necessary rational testing. by captainmatty Jun 27, 2007 (7:49 am)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-jW-jkFX5U&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRfE_XAk2mE&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdABRH9EsSw&mode=related&search= Replies to this message: 1offroader (Jun 27, 2007 4:56 pm)
#251 of 259 Re: More necessary rational testing. by 1offroader Jun 27, 2007 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: captainmatty (Jun 27, 2007 7:49 am) captainmatty Those were interesting and meaningful (read: not obtuse) tests. The frame flex test was especially relevant. The Toyota was dismal, to say the least. More than 3 inches of torsional flex, with only 275 lbs. of unsupported load. Those types of conditions are encountered all the time off road. In fact, I predicted that outcome in a much earlier post, just based on my observations from sliding under the Tundra and looking at it. The frame does indeed look flimsy, and the test clearly bears that out. I also believe that frame flex contributes to the severe bed floppage of the Tundra in the 28 mph test. Interestingly, I note that none of the tests included a GM product for comparison - just Ford vs. Toyota. I wonder why? 1offroader
#252 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [belias] by 1offroader Jun 27, 2007 (5:08 pm)
Replying to: belias (Jun 27, 2007 4:01 am) belias You may find this surprising, but I agree with some of your points. My point, in the original post, was that you made a big deal of Ford's "obtuse" (your word, not mine) test, specifically the 28 mph test. If you'd thought about it for a nanosecond, you'd have realized that Toyota's so-called "tests" are the most "obtuse" of any pickup manufacturer. After all, people DO drive 28 mph on rough roads, whereas they NEVER drive up giant teeter-totters or through giant slamming doors on the edge of the Grand Canyon. Do we at least agree on that? If you'd have said so in the beginning, the rest of the posts would have been unnecessary. I've never considered it a personal "attack" (again, your word) when someone challenges my posts. And of course, people can post whatever they like - hey, it's a forum. But it is a public forum, and when you post something on a public forum, expect that someone may challenge you to back up your statements. And if you can't back it up, expect to take a shot, OK? It's nothing personal. That's my point. 1offroader Replies to this message: belias (Jun 28, 2007 3:29 am) 1offroader (Jun 28, 2007 7:09 pm) driver56 (Jun 28, 2007 7:24 pm) saddaddy (Nov 02, 2007 2:16 am)
#253 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [1offroader] by belias Jun 28, 2007 (3:29 am)
Replying to: 1offroader (Jun 27, 2007 5:08 pm) OK, fair enough -- I respect your right to post your opinion as well. While I do agree with you that the teeter totter test and grand-canyon test were unrealistic in real life, the point isn't that you'll take your truck through those conditions, the point is that they are showing you the benefits of their braking/acceleration. It is the same like the GM commercials where the trucks were towing other 1/2 ton trucks on a railroad flat-bed. Of course, who is going to driver their truck on a railroad flatbed towing a bunch of the competition's trucks? But, that wasn't the point either -- it was that they wanted to show that their trucks were good at towing. For the Ford test of the 28mph test, there is nothing of great value there. It is trying to create a problem where none has existed before (i.e. there weren't 28mph off-road tests done for the last 30 years) and provide a solution (their F150) where none is needed. It is the classic marketing campaign more attributable to pharmaceuticals where they want the consumer to be their own doctor, diagnose a condition which really doesn't exist only so that you'll ask your doctor to prescribe you a medication to treat it. So, yeah, I think we're in agreement and we probably beat this horse to death on this issue. I do agree that frame-flex can be a problem if it isn't properly controlled. On the other hand, too much rigidity can also be a problem. That is why the largest trucks don't have FBF frames -- the lack of flex for such large loads would be a serious detriment to the ability to handle the weight for the driver. Ironically, even Ford admitted as much when questioned why their super-duty line of trucks weren't fully boxed. So, there is obviously some detriment to having torsional stiffness beyond a certain payload/towing capacity for a truck. What that level is, I don't know. Every manufacturer is going to have their different takes on how to resolve this issue and so far it seems that there hasn't been any serious handling problems from one solution to another. We'll see how the Tundra fairs in the long run with their setup. It may be proven to be a disaster or it may prove to be irrelevant. Right now it is difficult to tell other than to show that it has more flex in the bed than its competition (gotta wonder why all the 1/2 ton trucks weren't included too!) Have a good one! Replies to this message: 1offroader (Jun 28, 2007 7:09 pm) driver56 (Jun 28, 2007 7:24 pm) saddaddy (Nov 02, 2007 2:16 am)
#254 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [belias] by 1offroader Jun 28, 2007 (7:09 pm)
Replying to: belias (Jun 28, 2007 3:29 am) belias OK, agreed, enuf about "obtuse" tests. You bring up a different issue, which is frame flex. I contend that it IS a significant issue. Here are my reasons: 1) torsional flex is a BIG DEAL in offroad conditions, where frequently one corner of the vehicle has little (or even no) contact with the ground. That's the nature of the beast. When this happens, the frame flexes. When the frame flexes, that transfers stresses to body parts that are just not designed to handle stress. The body is just sheet metal. Multiply that over thousands, or hundreds of thousands, or millions, of cycles and you induce rattles, metal fatigue, and other problems. It also means you must increase body panel gaps so the edges of the body panels don't come into contact with each other and beat themselves to death. Why do you think my 69 Bronco, and even my 92 Toyota pickup, had FBFs? Because these vehicles were designed to be superior in offroad conditions. C-channel frames are a big step backwards, offroadwise. But, they are much cheaper to produce so many manufacturers use them. Riveted cross members are also cheaper and easier to produce than double welded cross members. Time is money in the car making business, as elsewhere. A hunting guide recently told me of a test he witnessed on a Ford lot. I did not witness this, it's only heresay, but based on the video it makes a lot of sense. The Ford dealer took a new Tundra and a new F-150. He supported 3 corners, the 4th (rear) corner was completely unsupported. The tailgate of the Tundra opened with difficulty and with a lot of binding, and would not close due to the torsional flex! The Ford - no problem. Once again, I did not witness this. When you go offroad, you cannot always choose where you stop, or where you get stuck. If you park at an awkward angle on a steep slope, do you still want to get into the bed of your truck? With the Tundra, that might be difficult, or even impossible. 2) As to the big c-channel frames on the large trucks...these vehicles are not designed for serious offroading, and you rarely ever see them in tough offroad situations. Not necessarily due to frame flex, but because they are so large they are not practical offroad. In any event, flex can be overcome if you throw a lot more steel at the problem even with c-channel. And 3/4-ton and larger trucks have much bigger frames than 1/2 ton trucks. They are built for hauling and towing, and c-channel is just fine for that. 1/2 ton trucks are supposed to be a compromise - some towing/hauling, and some offroad capability (in 4WD). The Tundra will be decidely inferior, from a frame flex standpoint, than the GM or Ford. Not sure about the Dodge. In fact, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the frame flex is why the Tundra looked so bad in the 28mph test. 3) As to your last point, there is NO detriment to having zero torsional flex in a frame. None. You're just wrong on that point. That's what the suspension is supposed to provide. Less flex is always better. The reason that zero flex is not possible, or practical, is that it would cost a fortune to design and build a true zero-flex frame. That's NASA-level stuff. The ideal is to have as near to zero flex as you can get and still make an affordable piece of equipment. Here's my prediction - the next iteration of the Tundra will have a FBF. And, Toyota will brag that's it's a big improvement. Which will be true. 1offroader Replies to this message: driver56 (Jun 28, 2007 7:24 pm) saddaddy (Nov 02, 2007 2:16 am)
#255 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [1offroader] by driver56 Jun 28, 2007 (7:24 pm)
Replying to: 1offroader (Jun 28, 2007 7:09 pm) Hell, I'll go with that, I own a new Frontier 4x4 Nismo. You know, Titan's little brother. Fully boxed frame, and all that. Enjoyed your post. Mick
#256 of 259 Tundra slowly making headway with domestic buyers by rsholland Jul 02, 2007 (12:47 pm)
http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/3013
#257 of 259 Interesting safety result by belias Jul 03, 2007 (3:52 am)
This came directly from MSNBC on crash tests performed on SUVs and Trucks where a rear-end collision at 20mph occurred... “In stop-and-go commuter traffic, you’re more likely to get in a rear-end collision than any other crash type,” said Institute vice president David Zuby. “It’s not a major feat of engineering to design seats and head restraints that afford good protection in these common crashes.” In other vehicle categories, the 2007 Toyota Tundra was the only pickup to receive the top score. Three minivans received the highest marks: Ford Freestar, Hyundai Entourage and the Kia Sedona. For pickups, the institute gave poor ratings to Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic and the GMC Sierra 1500 Classic; Dodge Ram 1500; Ford Ranger and Mazda B Series; Nissan Frontier and certain versions of Ford F-150, Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider. As a side note, I looked at the IIHS web-site to see what the ratings were for the new GMC Sierra/ Chevy Silverado (since they weren't mentioned in the article) and they recieved an "acceptable" rating for the same test. Ford received "poor"/"marginal" depending on the seatbelt arrangement and Dodge received "poor" ratings. The Titan got the same "acceptable" rating as the Sierra/Silverado.
#258 of 259 So what you're saying is that the by obyone Jul 03, 2007 (9:52 am)
Tundra reacts really well when given a swift kick in the butt?
#259 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [1offroader] by saddaddy Nov 02, 2007 (2:16 am)
Replying to: 1offroader (Jun 28, 2007 7:09 pm) If you think ANY 1/2 ton pickup in the last 10 years has been designed or built to have any significant degree of offroad ability, you are sorely mistaken. Such capabilities simply cease to exist when the vehicle is larger than mid-sized.