All these safety features are taking the actual driving element out of driving, people are becoming too reliant on safety features on their vehicles to get them out of bad situations, to much of these things I feel are actualy a bad thing. It's giving people a false sence of safety and making them drive more recklessly because the vehicle will "save them"

Well millions of idiots are failing to keep themselves alive on the roads today, so maybe they need the help!

They're just trying to win over some of the Tundra drivers, as they need some help.

@Alex: Really? Grow up.

Isn't parallel parking a requirement for a driver's license?

Those are great features, added extra security and what not. Who would want a smart truck.

This debate has surfaced multiple times on TTAC with Evan K and Detroit showing both sides of the argument.

My main problem with these devices is that the sensors/cameras work well ONLY in good weather. I've had blades of grass give me false signals from my backup sensors. I've had snow and grime obliterate the backup camera and the bumper sensors.

The "too fast into a corner" braking could be a real PIA if you are in the back country and are deliberately trying to maintain speed in deep snow. I was talking to a guy and the traction/stability control put him into a snowbank a few times last winter. That highlights the other problem with these systems, they are aimed at the general moto-moron who drives to and from work and a driving to the back of the landscaping supplier's dirt lot is the extent of offroad use for the truck.

Guys who actually use their trucks in tougher environments will be cursing these devices.

The information available is great! I only caution that people need to spend more time driving and less time navigating the many screens. People worry about distracted driving, but when does the page after page of information available on the dash become a distraction, vice a asset.

Still a lot of great technology that is coming to market. I feel Ford is doing a great job leading the industry to the next level.

Some great features indeed. Just like extra insurance, never know when you'll need it but nice to have for peace of mind. I wonder if this will be offered on only the upper trim levels?

I want all those cameras to record the cops when the yank me out of my truck for refusing a consentual search, or to their other unlawful demands. I want an onboard DVR for legal defense, not parallel parking.

It's fine as long as these features are optional. Let the owner decide if they want it or not.

Of all the things mentioned, the only thing I like is the 360 degrees camera, the rest is garbage to me.

I am all for safety, but, I have just rear backup camera and rear bumper sensors and it's very annoying, when winter driving and constant message on the screen, that sensors doesn't work properly because of dirty or icy.
I don't want to spend all day long with cleaning them from customer to customer. This is going to be nightmare for some customers living in the "right " state. Specially those front ones and side ones.

@LJC (or whatever your usual username is), it was a joke for the light-hearted among us. It wasn't intended for you.

@Willie G

Yes! Hopefully Ford will start to record what all these cameras are seeing so that it can be easily transferred to a flash drive, etc. I have found the aftermarket options for this to be less than ideal. I want more than a dash-cam, I want multiple views from around the truck, all timestamped and stored.

Also, I wouldn't mind a system that monitors the surroundings of my truck while i'm away as well. It would only need to record 24-72 hours of low quality video so I can see what happened if I come out to my truck in the morning and find damage. Surely that can be done without draining the battery?

Most of these are not safety features, but convenience ones.

What color are the rear turn signals? Are they the correct and safe one-amber?
What about the CHSML? Is that LED based?
What about side turn signal repeater? Is that standard?

Headlight washers would be much appreciated.

Monotube dampers standard would also be a safety improvement.

No center differential, obviously. No pickup truck has such functionality/safety.

@Alex: I use a single handle. I drive a Tundra, so it was directed towards me.

@Gregory J - agreed. It had better be an option. It most likely will be part of a Platinum/KingRanch package.

Well blind spot monitors (must not be offered by ford yet) already on Tundras ALSO have Rear cross traffic alert........so this isnt new

and Curve Control REALLY????? Is fords VSC system that archaic? this has been STANDARD on every Tundra since 2007? wow this is a basic safety feature i thought lol.......

Yes these features are not new technology and has been incorporated into other vehicles for some time. It's nice to see all of this option available for a pickup though.

How much of all that will still be functional in 5 years? What will it cost to repair? How long will parts be available?

Flashee couldn't drive without them, prob couldn't get out of the driveway

@wolfgang
Haha. I can drive just fine without them. I'm in the market for a new full size pickup and I usually like to buy fully loaded ones.

For now it's between the F150 and the Tundra. If Ford would've made the 2015 F150 look like their Atlas concept then it would've made my choice easier.

Congats to Toyota, but nobody said it was all new and nobody can be first in everything. Blind Spot Monitoring and Cross Traffic are only already on Tundra because it started on the 2014 Tundra, but GM had it first the 2014 GM Chevy - see the 2014 shootout when the new Tundra wasn't out yet. As far as being behind and not understanding bustomers, Toyota finally added an ITBC for the 2015 Tundra, 6 years after the F-150.

The 2015 F-150's innovations that are first for pickup trucks are: 2.7LEB, 8" productivity screen, 360 camera, inflatable rear belts, smarter trailer tow mod (indicates trailer stat), LED spotlights, LED headlights, and active park assist.

@LJC, if you say so.

I wonder why the 2.7EB isn't available on 4x4 crew cabs with a 6.5' bed.

@Chris, Also high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. A first for pickuptrucks.

They may be too much, but chicks will absolutely love these gadgets. Their #1 complaint is trucks, even midsize, are too big for comfort. And with chicks heavily involved in, or making truck purchases on they're own, Ford may be on to something.

Big Bob
You hit the nail on the head!
The more junk we don't need the more likely that junk will break and we have to pay big money to fix it!

LouBC
Why can't you have inspiring and creative comments like Big Bob? The ramblings from you are boring me!

The features will come and come. Some will be good and some so-so.

The better features will become standard across the board as well. I don't view all of them as safety features.

It's odd with all of the press GM is getting with the Colorado and Canyon, Ford has come out.

Maybe Nissan and Toyota can do the same regarding the Taco and Frontier.

Trailer Lights Monitor = love it!

@ Alex

I have made mention about the 2.7L EB not being available on the crew, 4x4 and longer bed a few different times in hopes someone from Ford would respond (Looking at you Mike Levine)

I even sent Ford an email and have yet to hear back. I want to say that I read once that Ford was going to make the engine available on all possible configurations. That single config has to be the number 1 volume seller so it blows my mind that this isn't an option. Maybe they don't have the matching drive shaft for that particular length?

@Tom#3 - The fact that you find BigBob's comments creative and inspiring fits your whole invertebrate posting style.

You must be late for your pedicure or something.

I don't believe Tom# owns a pickup truck just like Michigan Bob never did. He is a seminar caller and probably drives a car or 1990s truck which Michigan Bob drove as well.

The cameras would be nice but they do become useless in the winter time or in mud as dirt and road slop cover them. As Lou BC pointed out the traction/stability control becomes a pain in the A.. when trying to plow through a good bit of snow or slick mud. I'm not sure about the backup senors but I'm sure they probably go nuts to when enough snow/ice mud builds up on them.

I got the craziest idea! How bout you just build a truck the way a truck should be built, you know where if you want to go off the pavement to get to a job site. There wouldn't be a dash full of lights flashing, annoying beeping sounds, and the engine not cutting power off. Is this to hard to ask for now days? Leave the useless gadgets, annoying sensors, and beep/flashing dash Christmas tree lights as a package people can order if they want that useless garbage on their trucks. This goes to all truck makers not just Ford. People that really need trucks want trucks, not some over sized car with stupid useless "safety junk".

For some of us the only enjoyment we get out of life is owning and driving our heavy duty pickup. The truck we own means a lot to some of us, I can understand that.
Sitting in the drivers seat is our own private space, our safe zone, its part of our living space, it keeps us warm, cool and dry. Its an extension of our home.
When we know, have evidence we have the best truck we are proud.
Its a nice feeling driving the best and highest rated truck.
When you bought a Ford you were innocent thinking you were buying the best cause you were a victim caught up in selective advertising and marketing from Ford.
I fell for it too
The only way you can come to peace in your inner soul is to admit the Ram is better than the Ford you own, accept defeat and you'll be free!

@seminar astroturf #3 - you make me laugh, you really do.

Here is my process for buying a truck in 2010:
1. I made a list of attributes I wanted and needed in a truck.
2. I looked at reliability and durability data.
3. Dropped trucks that had poor reliability.
4. Dropped trucks that did not give me what I wanted.
5. Purchased the truck that met my needs the best.

Ram got dropped at #3 - worst reliability. Also no crewcab 6.5 box. It was the 1st truck cut from my purchase list.

My final choice boiled down to Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and F150.

I'm done with you.

I hear the 2016 F-150 Offers some even crazier safety features, here is a picture of one....

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kidde-Full-Home-3-A-40-B-C-Fire-Extinguisher-21007245/100540607

This truck buyer wish he had it available in 2009....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePsFoa5h0Ao

Good for you Ford for thinking ahead!

@ Lou BC ram does offer the 6' 4" bed on the crew cab.

I'd like to see a back up beeper made mandatory on every vehicle..in Japan all cars and trucks must have this..

Dash cam would be nice also,,in Russia these are also mandatory required by insurance,watching some vids of how Ruski drivers behave its a necessity for,sure

So I built me a mostly loaded platinum f150 and it came up to $61,500.... WOW....

I'm just glad most of these features are optional. I don't want to pay thousands (even tens of thousands) for this extra crap I don't need. I built and priced out a 2015 f-150 and was pleasantly surprised with the price. My biggest disappointment is that you can't seem to get leather in an XLT, and I wish the supercab had a full door that could be opened separately. That is the only thing that I think I'm going to miss on my ram.

@fredtheman Ram didn't offer a 6 foot bed on crewcab half tons in 2010 when Lou was looking to buy a new truck, reread his post.

"Here is my process for buying a truck in 2010:"

@Beebe,
Buy a Colorado or Canyon with the 6' bed.

It would suffice. I suppose now you want to tow 8 000lbs;)

Wait for a diesel Colorado and it will tow quite well and you'll be pleasantly surprised at it's pricing as well.

Oil + Water: Does not mix.

Ford + Electronics: Does not mix.

Ford has had blind spot indicators, cross traffic alert, AdvanceTrac w/ Roll Stability Control for year and years already. Along with a lot of other safety features as they benefited from their partnership with Volvo. But there are improvements and advances always going on.

You might want to educate yourself, hemi lol, before you think you see an opportunity to try to insult anything that's not Toyota. And just because Toyota has a feature, it doesn't means it's better - they've often been criticized for their nannies being too intrusive (or dumb). You just make yourself look foolish.

Lou_BC is right: "Guys who actually use their trucks in tougher environments will be cursing these devices."

But it's not just the truck drivers who run into these issues; almost 20 years ago I ran into a very similar issue just with the ABS system on the vehicle I was driving, which ended up with me sliding on ice through an intersection _I_ could have probably stopped for without it. I know how to pump my brakes and use a very delicate touch. I know how to 'feel' when the wheels are working or sliding. Every time I tried to ease in on the brakes, it wasn't just one wheel stopping, they all stopped and the ABS system THOUGHT I was at a dead stop. Worse, it refused to LET me pump them manually. So to be rather blunt, all these nanny-state tools are more HAZARDOUS than helpful to a driver who really knows what they're doing.

Not only that, but they get to the point--as previously mentioned--that the 'driver' leans on these gadgets too much and eventually is unable to drive properly whenever those gadgets inevitably fail. Crashes will start to happen where people will ask, "but why didn't the safety system prevent it?"

Yes, the cameras are all well and good; driver information is critical for driving safely. But all these automated systems can NOT replace a good driver.

Wy ford driver don't no to drive anymore ,they need help,,wow imagine if they drive a real pickup..

Alot of these features are convience even luxery items that will become "standard" or even "required" over time and honestly primarily serve to drive up the price and profitablitly of the vehicle.

Can they help with vehicle saftey? To a limited degree in ideal conditions the answer is yes. But honestly none do anything quality mirrors and conciencous operators shouldnt alreayd be doing and doing well.

Nissan was the first wtih the 360degree view camera (called "aroundview"). Personally I LOVED it. A God's eye view of the car from the top showing all sides simultaneously. Seeing how far an object was in front of you as well as behind you and from side to side all at the same time from above was amazing when in a tight spot.

That being said I would like to see these features be optional only to mitigate their costs.

@Clint,
I would of thought the bird eye view was one of the least required pieces of bling.

I would think a proximity sensor is of far more value.

Reverse camera's are really the only cameras I think that are required.

As someone mentioned. A good set of mirrors would be ideal. They are far less complex and probably cheaper to maintain.

Which means reliable. I do think it is sad to put bling on a car like the 360 degree camera. It will only distract.

I do think more emphasis should be placed on reducing distraction and processes whilst driving. This increases unnecessary risk on the road.

Imagine if vehicle manufacture's had their vehicles rated for distraction ie, up to five stars. Econo boxes would have the highest rating.

@Al

I might have agreed with you Al until i used that Around View Camera. Nothing beats being able to see 360 degrees real time like being God on a cloud looking down. To know the difference between 2 inches and 6 inches from the front bumper and rear and how far you are from the curb all at the same time...

It made getting cars in and out of VERY tight spots at the dealership i worked at VERY easy.

It beats the hell out of mirrors and things that beep incessatnly that you end up turning off.

The Around View Camera does not operate once you are over something below 10MPH so its not distracting at all to use.

As far as distracting goes... If you want a distraction free car you will need to get something made for racing... No radio, no climate controls, no cup holders, no trip computer, compass, no clock, no other seats in the car for pesky other passangers with their conversations and distractions, no vanity mirrors, no power ports, no ash tray or lighter, no tilt steering, fixed seat... and it would need an illegal cell phone jammer. If you really are serious about getting rid of distraction everything but wheel and pedals could be considered a distraction.

@Big Al: "I would of thought the bird eye view was one of the least required pieces of bling."

This is one place where I will disagree with you; proximity sensors are too 'generic', they don't tell you what or where you are too close to something and by themselves could cause you to make the wrong decision. It's much better KNOWING where the objects are that you may be about to hit. This is especially helpful when parking such a big vehicle as a pickup truck, but can also be useful when trying to simply negotiate through tight quarters. When you have such view-blocking "features" as a high hood, high bed walls, etc., it's nice to get an overhead view of just how close to objects you are.

Now, I'll grant that mirrors are helpful, but even those come up lacking when you need to see more ground-level obstacles or looking forward at the corners of the truck--especially on the passenger side. It's one place where the FC design offers the strongest non-tech advantage. Even with stick-on or clamp-on "bubble" mirrors, you simply can't see some parts of the truck that you may NEED to see to maneuver safely.