That's interesting Bill. I wonder if the Tundra owners here would crawl under a new Tundra and see if that frame resembles theirs or is a 1st generation Tundra.
I've had two Ford pickups in the last 10 years and I haven't noticed the feeling of frame flex when I'm driving. I've driven another brand (not Toyota) where I could feel frame jiggle when hitting bumps. It is kind of a springy quiver from impact shocks. I found it to be very objectionable, enough that I wouldn't buy the pickup.
The longer the truck is, the more noticeable. Crew cab long beds being the worst. For the most part it is harmless, lots of big things flex a lot. I just don't like the feel of it in a vehicle.
I'd trust a drive more than the utube video. While the measurements might be accurate, it is not testing the frame/body as a unit. After watching it I would be very tuned in to the notion of frame flex if I were test driving a Toyota pickup.
The scary thing is that some folks actually have these Tundras and similar Toyota trucks towing 25' and larger RVs with several hundred more lbs of hitch weight.....want any bets on the flex numbers there?
Just further supports the fact that the Tundra, both new and old versions are really just 1/2 ton trucks and maybe not that either......
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
Doesn't look good. Should be confirmed on test drive by hitting a couple good dips in the street and feeling the frame quiver (speed bumps are good). All that movement (and a lot less) is very noticeable when driving once you tune into it and get a feel for it.
To be fair I would want to confirm this on my own.
It's no secret that I'm a GM fan, but I have to give credit to the Ford folks, that does look like a stable ride. I wonder if the 3/4 ton would be similar.
Bottom line, not a good showing for the Toyota...even I was taken back by the amount of movement. Scary isn't quite the word that comes to my mind Bill.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
One thing I would like to add to this to comfirm these videos or at least some reasons for what you see in the videos. Compare identically equipped trucks from Ford, Chevy, Dodge, ....or if you compared half tons add toyota. Fords scale weight is between 600 and 800 pounds more for the same size truck equally equiped. Where do you think the weight is in the truck. I don't think the Ford cab weights 800 pounds more than the others. Let me tell ya...its in the frame, axels, brakes, wheels and other components that lead to strength. This is one reason that fords usually come up a bit short in fuel mileage tests...they always weigh more. Significantly more. Its because of the steel in the frame etc. where you want it.
It's no secret I'm a GM man also.
If I didn't have such good luck with them over the years, I would consider a Ford. The new ones are very nice, and these videos are very impressive, particularly the bed flex showing how compliant the suspension is.
I know which one I wouldn't buy!
Bill
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Life is Good-Camping all around New England
Good people drink good beer-Hunter S Thompson
These are all tough well engineered trucks. Even though my F150 has been a near perfect truck in every day use, I cannot help but notice who made those videos! Any manufacturer will come up with tests that optimize their design points over the competitors.
I gotta believe that all the truck makers engineer, design and load-test their frames - probably well over twice the loads they would ever be subject to in the real world. Frame flex is a design point. Frame members flex to absorb loads that might put undue stress on other parts. Watch an arched flatbed level out as it is loaded some time - or take careful note of a jumbo jet's wing slowly waving up and down at takeoff. If Ford took flex out where the others didn't, they proabably beefed something else up - maybe trading off weight?
......Scott
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2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L
Raleigh, NC
PR? ...Yes, but it doesn't negate the facts. Watch the clip of the F150 and the Toyota driving over the same course. The bed of the Toyota actually moves so much it damages the cab of the truck. The foreign manufactures simply don't make a heavy duty truck, nor do they offer a diesel option, at least not in the U.S.
The demo's seen above are exactly Why I have two Fords. When I was younger I did work for two different companys hauling Automobiles,and it did at that time include trucks. We were always cautioned about tying down Chevy pickups to tight.On Chevy U could actually bend the frame with a straight down pull chain winch and a 3 ft tie-down bar. Ford never ever warned us about tying truck down to tight because they had now worry with their frames. I guess the more things change the more they stay the same
For years I was part owner of business and we used Fords to Hotshot heavy diesel parts from Iowa to New Orleans and every place in between. We didn't baby these 1 ton trucks and actually overloaded them. I can tell you they handled the job like champs but they had 7.3s. In fact Fords are still the tightest truck in this market but then there is that engine issue. If the 6.4 turns out to be as good as Cummins or Duramax then they once again make the best truck, if not?
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