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The Great Weight Debate: How Ford’s 2015 F-150 Could Stack Up Against The Others

By Tim Esterdahl, shared to Motrolix.

When the 2015 Ford F-150 was unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, many journalists made a big deal about the estimated 700 pound weight loss and how it was so revolutionary. But the weight reduction isn’t really so groundbreaking… here’s why.

Before we begin, it is worth pointing out that Ford has been building “heavy” trucks for years, so an up to 700 pound weight reduction in the 2015 F-150 isn’t that newsworthy, since the trucks were already several hundred pounds heavier to begin with. Also, consider that the weight loss isn’t consistent across the board; rather the 700 pound figure will likely only apply to the 2015 F-150 Crew Cab models. For the Regular Cab, 2WD models that manufacturers use to advertise “best in class” fuel economy, the weight savings will more likely be in the 100-200 pound vicinity, according to many experts I spoke with at the Detroit auto show.

You could actually say that when it comes to best-in-class 2WD models, the aluminum body panels are just a distraction from Ford using its new 2.7L turbo V6. That tiny boosted six-banger accompanied with the active grille shutters is what’s really responsible for the expected fuel economy improvements, not the weight loss. Why? Because most experts say that a 100-pound weight loss is equal to about 1-2 percent improvement in fuel economy. That isn’t a whole heck of a lot, but the active grille shutters may actually net the truck an extra 1-2 MPG on the highway in tandem with the new engine that uses less fuel due to its smaller (not lighter) size. These items will be what make the difference.

On the crew cab front, the weight savings will be more significant. Estimates are that 500 pounds is good for 7.5 percent improvement in fuel economy, while a 700 pound drop is good for a 10.5 percent in improvements. This means Ford should see an improvement of 2-3 MPG on the larger trucks with the weight loss. The addition of active grille shutters (that only make a difference for highway MPGs) begins to add up.

All this sounds great for Ford, but is the weight loss really that big of a deal? Consider the charts below:

Full-Size Pickup Truck Curb Weight, MPG Comparison - By Lightest Truck
TRUCK 2014 FORD F-150 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 2014 RAM 1500 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2014 NISSAN TITAN 2015 FORD F-150
CAB REGULAR CAB REGULAR CAB REGULAR CAB REGULAR CAB KING CAB REGULAR CAB
BED REGULAR BOX REGULAR BOX REGULAR BOX N/A N/A REGULAR BOX
ENGINE 3.7L V6 DURATEC (NOT ECOBOOST) 4.3L ECOTEC3 V6 LV3 3.6L V6 4.0L V6 5.6L V8 3.5L V6 (NOT ECOBOOST)
WHEEL DRIVE 2WD 2WD 2WD 2WD 2WD 2WD
CURB WEIGHT (POUNDS) 4,685 4,387 4,500 4,760 4,847 4,485
MPG (CITY/HWY) 17, 23 18, 24 18, 25 16, 20 13, 18 18, 25
Full-Size Pickup Truck Curb Weight, MPG Comparison - By Most Popular Configuration
TRUCK 2014 FORD F-150 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 2014 RAM 1500 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2014 NISSAN TITAN 2015 FORD F-150 ***
CAB SUPERCREW CREW CAB CREW CAB CREW CAB CREW CAB SUPERCREW
BED 5.5FT STANDARD STANDARD STANDARD STANDARD BOX STANDARD
ENGINE 5.0L V8 5.3L ECOTEC3 V8 5.7L V8 5.7L V8 5.6L V8 5.0L V8
WHEEL DRIVE 4WD 4WD 4WD 4WD 4WD 4WD
CURB WEIGHT 5,586 5,292 5,350 5,760 5,300 4,886
MPG (CITY/HWY) 14/19 16/22 15/22 13/17 13/18 16/23

* All curb weight data from manufacture’s sites. Gear ratio will vary, MPG numbers stated by manufacture.
** Manufactures have stated at various events that the crew cab, 4wd with V-8 engine is most popular configuration
*** 2015 Ford F-150 numbers estimated based on information from sources

In that regard, Ford’s trucks are simply getting closer to the curb weights and fuel economy of the competition. And considering that GM developed its new trucks with about the same estimated fuel economy as the 2015 Ford F-150 without having to resort to a new and more exotic (read: costly) metal, and we begin to wonder what the point of the exercise was in the first place: why did Ford go to all the trouble to use aluminum?

The other side of the story, which is just now coming out, is how much more expensive the new Ford trucks will be to own. Consider that the fuel economy improvements will probably be offset by:

  • Increased insurance costs (up to 10 percent higher than the outgoing model)
  • Increased up-front costs (Ford is going to charge more for these trucks, and/or offer fewer incentives)
  • Concerns about long-term durability (galvanic corrosion due to combining steel and aluminum)

There is also the mystery of how Ford will be able to sell the new trucks at the same low prices that made them so popular that they became the best-selling trucks in the U.S. for so many years. What’s more, it’s common industry knowledge that that Ford offers heavy incentives to customers, with its pickup trucks often being cheaper. By offering a new truck with “great fuel savings,” Ford might end (or significantly reduce) the incentives, thus offsetting the increased costs expected to be ushered in by the 2015 F-150.

Why fewer incentives? Ford could sell an aluminum F-150 for $2,500 more than GM or Toyota or Ram can sell a similarly equipped vehicle, and consumers will justify that increased cost to themselves by assuming they’ll save money at the pump. The trouble is that they will only get the fuel economy listed on the sticker only when driving with an extremely light foot. And who wants to do that? One automotive executive told me that he was shocked that Ford didn’t do more.

“With Chevy Silverado sales nipping at their heels all they did was make their truck lighter,” said Mike Sweers, Chief Engineer for the Toyota Tundra. “I thought they would do more.”

Meanwhile, Ram’s Reid Bigland said, “We have looked at aluminum for our trucks. The fact is that we get great fuel economy without the big expense. Plus, we were concerned about the lack of repair shops throughout the Midwest. Our customers aren’t going to like driving hundreds of miles to get their truck fixed.”

So when taking into account that Ford’s aluminum body is going to be more expensive to purchase, to insure and repair, as well as potentially less durable, the “big” news isn’t so big… or is it?

The Motrolix staff is comprised of automotive enthusiasts and fanatics from all walks of life and all over the world. They do it for the love of cars.

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