Ford Tests 2017 Super Duty Bed
By Brian Wong
Details have been slowly trickling out about the new 2017 Ford Super Duty pickup trucks, and they are impressive. The new trucks will offer a slew of segment-first technology features, increased towing and payload ratings, and of course, an aluminum body.
Naturally, the new Super Duty also has to perform when aftermarket equipment is added to the cargo box, which Ford tested in both the virtual and real world at its Michigan Proving Grounds. Part of the switch to an aluminum body means the addition of an aluminum bed, just like the F-150, which Ford claims is more resistant to dings and dents than steel and is not subject to rust or corrosion. In fact, before Ford engineers headed out to the proving grounds, they tested the new bed structure in the virtual world by running it through super-computer simulations with many different types of aftermarket equipment. This data was used to design the panel shapes in the bed and identify areas where reinforcement might be needed.
After that and with those changes made, it was time to head into the real world at the proving grounds and run the 2017 Super Duty over different types of punishing road conditions, including potholes, off-road terrain and bumpy roads (see video below). Engineers used a variety of aftermarket add-ons, including an all-terrain-vehicle platform, ladder rack and even a salt spreader.
Ford says that even under intentionally harsh road conditions, the box designs held up quite well, with no issues found in the support structure or on the mounting surfaces. Stay tuned for more details on the 2017 Ford Super Duty as they become available or when we get a chance to tag along. The new Super Dutys will go on sale later next year.
Manufacturer images
Comments
I am impressed the regular cab trucks made it past the sensors , it gets old seeing all those sissy extra cabs and crew cab family trucksters .
Ford plus payload equals..........and still the worst sag!
Why can't Ford make a decent looking dually bed? Seriously?
Sierra907 you go that right! Put anything in the bed of a super duty truck, and the headlights point at the sky.
I hope everyone remembers to bolt all that extra stuff with alum fasteners or the bed wont last long. and your right about that sag i know few people that added two leafs to the back to stop bumper from dragging. (3 leafs on a 250sd come on ford thats embarrassing)
Awesome article. That's why I come to PUTC. Real world truck information. I really liked the pictures also. New trucks are looking good.
Why is this news? EVERY manufacturer does this.
I'm a huge Superduty fan, but my goodness they have gotten ugly!
It appears Ford research must have determined that the consumer is still unsure of aluminium replacing steel.
Designing a pickup bed isn't rocket science, sort of like a furniture manufacturer testing a table or chair.
Why the current spin on the durability of the aluminium bed?
Ford knows that the larger the pickup the more conservatism in the consumer.
We've been using aluminium beds here in Australia since the 70s and they have proven to be light and durable.
I do think Ford should also offer aluminium flatbeds as well as the pickup tubs. All the US pickup manufacturers should offer an aluminium flat bed alternative. They wouldn't be hard to design.....but then how much spin can Frod give a flatbed?
The flatbed is the best for hauling, work and ease of loading and unloading. They are most functional.
But........................they don't look as pretty.
The Super dooty has always been the ugliest H.D. from the look of it the 350 hasn't changed. My friend drove an f150 rental recently. I noticed their were no stake pockets near the front of the bed. Read an auto article that said the aluminum bed couldn't handle a contractors rack. Never scene a truck without stack pockets. I use mine to tie down my quads.
BIg Al its not spin, Ford goes with what works, and they are secretly placing this stuff up just to get you worked up, and I see its working.....
You guys complain about sag, thats becasue those folks are over their payload, I have had my 250 loaded with 2k pounds in the back and mine didnt sag at all, my capacty is 2167lbs with me in the truck
Again great Job Ford
@Big Al
And your bias continues. In the Ridgeline article, when Honda was calling their race truck that shares nothing with the production truck a Ridgeline the you said it was "just marketing". When Ford talks about "military grade aluminum" then you get your panties in a wad saying it is spin. And you call others bias?
Are you still working on that apology you owe me or have you not grown enough balls yet?
man that dually is ugly...just needs square top wheel wells to match....
@hemroidV8, they are there. They are under the plastic cap. The bed is more than strong enough to handle a rack.
I dont know what nitro is talking about. Ive seen supers sag with approx 750lbs on the tailgate.
I dont know what nitro is talking about. Ive seen supers sag with approx 750lbs on the tailgate.
Posted by: Bc-lube | Nov 25, 2015 3:15:37 PM
Suspension is always going to sag to some extent with a load. Unless it has air suspension. I just hooked up a 18500 trailer to one of our 2015 F350 gas single rear tire and with 2500lbs of tongue weight it sagged about 2". Not that bad considering that that weight is acting as a fulcrum about 15" from the bumper. I would like to see the overload springs brought up around 1" to reduce the sag but if I was really worried about it I would have it raised. For a F350 they ride really well. Just spent 4 hours in one of them this past weekend.
It appears Ford research must have determined that the consumer is still unsure of aluminium replacing steel.
Designing a pickup bed isn't rocket science, sort of like a furniture manufacturer testing a table or chair.
Posted by: Big Al from Oz | Nov 25, 2015 1:31:05 PM
You definitely are not a very bright person. Any new design requires testing. That is not unusual at all for most manufactures. Clearly one if the most ignorant statements you have said yet.
I do think Ford should also offer aluminium flatbeds as well as the pickup tubs. All the US pickup manufacturers should offer an aluminium flat bed alternative. They wouldn't be hard to design.....but then how much spin can Frod give a flatbed?
The flatbed is the best for hauling, work and ease of loading and unloading. They are most functional.
But........................they don't look as pretty.
Posted by: Big Al from Oz | Nov 25, 2015 1:31:05 PM
This is hilarious. First you constantly bash Ford for using aluminum and how it is a bad thing and consumers hate it. Now you are stating that Ford should make an aluminum flat bed. Make up your mind there fat albert.
Why do the Fords squat in the rear, so lame looking.
Like a cowardly dog.
For a F350 they ride really well. Just spent 4 hours in one of them this past weekend.
HAHA nice made up story, F350's ride like trash, like the axles are welded to the frame! Then sag with 200 pounds in the bed!
I think they were trying to make them ride softer. When my buddy first got his 2012 f250 he got pulled over and weighed because the truck looked overloaded pulling a landscaping trailer. He is the one that added two leafs to it. His truck dropped around 4-5in with that trailer and his 04 f350 would only drop 1-2in. I heard the trucks with the camper package had a extra leaf but his came with 3. My gmc 2500hd has 5 stock.
boy this is scintillating! Leaf springs and beds. Pipe-racks and hoppers. One-ton axle ratings; GM vs Fo. Do I have to wait for the 2017 for all this breathtaking new stuff?
This is to show the frame is stronger and not twisted like before ..
HAHA nice made up story, F350's ride like trash, like the axles are welded to the frame! Then sag with 200 pounds in the bed!
Posted by: johnny doe | Nov 25, 2015 4:29:49 PM
Yup johnny dil Doe you are still a moron. Maybe once your balls drop and you buy a truck then you can talk. For now keep "servicing" your sister loser.
Yeah yeah LMAO kid keep making up stories and beating off to your mom. Maybe one day daddy will give you his *fleet*!
Yeah yeah LMAO kid keep making up stories and beating off to your mom. Maybe one day daddy will give you his *fleet*!
Posted by: johnny doe | Nov 25, 2015 5:48:49 PM
Get a truck before you think you actually have an opinion. For now, keep beating off smelling your sister underwear. I find it hilarious that you think you have an opinion about a truck and don't even own one. Maybe when your balls drop you can find a Chevy Luv. That would be a perfect first truck for you.
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I got two trucks a 2014 Chevy 1500 double cab and a 1998 GMC 1500 EXT cab. LMAO kid could only dream bout owning one truck, let a lone two. Maybe one day LMAO kid will be old enough to get his driver's license, and daddy just might let him drive one of his *fleet* trucks HAHAHA!
Have a good night LMAO kid I go things to do, instead of play child name call games with you all night. Peace out girl scout!
I got two trucks a 2014 Chevy 1500 double cab and a 1998 GMC 1500 EXT cab. LMAO kid could only dream bout owning one truck, let a lone two. Maybe one day LMAO kid will be old enough to get his driver's license, and daddy just might let him drive one of his *fleet* trucks HAHAHA!
Have a good night LMAO kid I go things to do, instead of play child name call games with you all night. Peace out girl scout!
Posted by: johnny doe | Nov 25, 2015 6:39:53 PM
No you do not. You have already posted that you do not have a newer truck because the new ones are too expensive. Keep lying Johnny Dill Doe. Grow some pubis first and then maybe you can grow up to get a truck. there is a Chevy Luv out there with your name on it. Your first truck.
Have a good night LMAO kid I go things to do,
Posted by: johnny doe | Nov 25, 2015 6:39:53 PM
yup its called your sister......
I do have a 2014 truck, had it for a good while now, go back and look I even posted when I got it on here.
If you could read and understand like a normal grade school kid. I said I most likely I won't buy another brand new truck, as they don't offer what I want/need for a bare bones work truck and are more expensive, then buying a good use old truck and rebuilding it.
Last comment just had to clear it up for yah LMAO kid, sense you can't read and understand it. Peace out girl scout!
I do have a 2014 truck, had it for a good while now
Posted by: johnny doe | Nov 25, 2015 6:55:25 PM
You Lie, made up theories that you own a new truck. Keep dreaming "Richard" juice.
I lied? Mmhmm Yeah okay HAHA guess you didn't go look!
One of them GM sale numbers was from me :) Nice shiny Brownstone Metallic WT2 4wd.
Posted by: johnny doe | May 1, 2014 4:11:34 PM
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/05/best-selling-pickup-trucks-april-2014.html
I lied? Mmhmm Yeah okay HAHA guess you didn't go look!
One of them GM sale numbers was from me :) Nice shiny Brownstone Metallic WT2 4wd.
Posted by: johnny doe | May 1, 2014 4:11:34 PM
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/05/best-selling-pickup-trucks-april-2014.html
Posted by: johnny doe | Nov 25, 2015 7:44:00 PM
Yes you are a liar. your post continue to be nothing but rubbish and lies. Face it, your a liar.
I do enjoy those entertaining articles on how the assend of pickups sag with smallish loads on them.
Well, the reason is the US full size pickups are generally softly sprung for the comfort the consumer wants.
If you want a truck, then buy a truck. If you want a vehicle that looks trucklike be used as a SUV/car alternative then you must have softly sprung vehicles.
Until they can produce variable springing with the use of fluid power cheaply you guys will have to contend with very large softly sprung vehicles.
Or, you can go the way of us that have trucklike suspensions and have bouncing, jittery vehicles.
Hipcat, this is the outskirts of civilization.
Around here everyone is putting stupid leveling kits on the front ends. Looks like everyone likes headlights shining at the moon?
Not impressed!!!
@HemiV8 - bed pockets have never been rated for "tear out". That means they do not have a load rating if used as an anchor point. That applies to ALL of the manufacturers. I found that out when I was researching "sled" decks. Several manufactures stated that the safest option was to bolt into the floor of the box.
All of the new pickups have tie points low down in the box. They do have "tear out" ratings or load ratings.
"If you want a truck, then buy a truck. If you want a vehicle that looks trucklike be used as a SUV/car alternative then you must have softly sprung vehicles."
Once again you make me laugh with your inconsistencies.
You go on and on about weight and cargo NOT mattering then you say this.
That is where Ram 1500 lets everyone down. You buy a truck and get stuck with a car.
GM and Ford at least gives you the option of a truck with car like ride or a truck with real world cargo capacity.
@Lou, HEMI V8 is misinformed.
What he wrote is not what he read. He has stated this before and the article he read from a car magazine mistakenly said the F-150 did not have front stake pockets. This is incorrect. Then HEMI V8 read into that it was because of the aluminum not supporting weight. This is a lie. He knows this because I told him last time. All Ford beds have stake pockets. The stake pockets are there but the rail caps on only the 5.5' short bed F-150 may not have the pop out cut outs. The steel short beds on the F-150 were the same way.
There are stake pockets on the front of the Super Duty. HEMI V8 is posting crap again.
@HEMI V8,
By the way, your lame azz 13 year old Dodge Ram extended cab didn't have rail caps from the factory back then. Nice try.
Which is a great way to damage your rails:
http://1-photos4.ebizautos.com/12133/14406391/14406391_13_400.jpg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Ram-1500-4X4-QUAD-CAB-SLT-/231762152814?forcerrptr=true&hash=item35f619cd6e:g:muoAAOSwbdpWUoiu&item=231762152814
I see the front stake pockets. What is HEMI V8 smoking?
@SC - HemiV8 isn't misinformed he just sees what he wants to see. Delusional or f-anatical are the words you need to insert instead of misinformed.
We in the "West' do not understand how groups like DAESH start. Look at rabid f^n0ys and you have part of your answer.
Which is a great way to damage your rails:
http://1-photos4.ebizautos.com/12133/14406391/14406391_13_400.jpg
-------------
@SC,
In addition to the dmage on the rails, I see considerable damage on the wheel wells of that 03 Dodge Ram. Maybe Fiat-Ram needs to go to aluminum afterall and the only reason they aren't is because of lack of funds.
I am also seeing damage on the bed floor. Ram can't go to aluminum fast enough.
Lou, Is that HEMI V8'S truck? He must be trying to sell the old 03 to raise funds to buy that gold prosecting truck he doesn't need with money he doesn't have.
*prospecting
Chris T,
If you are damaging you pickup bed floor, you then have the incorrect tool for the job at hand.
Why not put a flat bed on?
If you are moving lot of metal componenets, then buy one with a timber bed. A flat bed also offers the best tie down points of any pickup bed.
Buy tie down straps or learn how to use rope, ie, truckie hitches, etc.
Chris T. - HemiV8 states that he worked HVAC and fell off a roof due to substandard safety rails. He is supposedly suing his employer for damages. He has been talking about a big settlement for years now.
Funny thing is that he was a huge Power Wagon fan but since several of us have pointed out its pizz poor cargo ratings that now he is fantasizing about a "Prospector" HD.
@Big Al - "If you are damaging you pickup bed floor, you then have the incorrect tool for the job at hand."
Then why all the fuss about aluminum bodies and boxes since you already have a solution to the problem?
BTW - there are spray in liners as well as aluminum liners and even box liners with thick rubber matts.
Not everyone wants a flat deck but in this case I tend to agree - if one uses a truck for heavy use then an aftermarket deck or "rockbox".
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