Nice that there is some interest in this and perhaps the quality of the trailers will increase.

Wonder if a hair dryer will be able to take off the excessive logo on the outside though

A natural pairing. Livin Lite has staked their success on selling all aluminum travel trailers, toy hualers, pop ups. For them to pair with Ford who uses a lot of aluminum seems a good match.

How gay

I think it's a good marketing idea for the camper company, and I know Ford fans that would consider them just because of the big oval on the side. Doesn't make me want to buy a Ford though.

What a TERRIBLE idea. Ford is already leading the gouging parade with the highest/fastest inflationary object outside of cancer drugs.

2008 F150 4X4 XLT 5.0L 6.18" box MSRP $23,350 "priced in 2007 before the crash.
'

2015 F150 4X4 XLT 5.0L 6.18" box MRSP $51,535

51535-23350=28150/23350=1.2071x100=120.71%/7=17.24%per YEAR!

Ford went from 54% profit on SUV's to 56.3% profit on super dutys in just 15 years. All at your expense. Now you think that kind of profiteering should be expanded? Are you nuts? Or just stupid?

That's regular trailer I see every day, but with ugly Ford and price sticker on it, which clearly doesn't belong there. What's next ? A Ford luggage ? Mark, did you post this by accident instead on April 1st ?

Scott,
Just buy the non-Ford logo version. Should be same (minus the Ford wheels, stitching, etc.), but less money! Livin Lite is paying a royalty fee to use the Ford name.

Love it, it will be better quality for sure!

I am not sure that it is the first time. Here is a quote from truckcampermagazine.com:

"This is not Ford’s first foray into truck campers. In 1973, Ford debuted the American Road, a molded-fiberglass truck camper that was decades ahead of its time. The 11.5 foot Ford American Road was designed to match Ford trucks and featured a basement with heated and insulated holding tanks, a full-booth face-to-face dinette, sprayed on urethane foam insulation, and a 100,000 mile, 40-degree below zero durability test - in 1973!"

I hope that this venture is done as well and is as successful as the Raptor line. Getting an OEM involved should bring some good ideas and quality control to the camper world.

Not a bad idea. I'm sure it will strike up sales. Still got to love the troils though. If it had a giant bow tie on the side or a Fiat logo they would change their tune. People buy brand specific products all the time. Just look at the Harley themed trucks.

Hey "good grief". One of the great things about capitalism and competition is that you don't have to buy one. If you don't think that it fits or your needs or offers value you can move on without making a scene. Support the products that you do like and see who comes out on top in the long run!

I know walt, every truck on the market is expensive. They all go up in price the same. Some people just have to bi#ch

Apparently there were at least two precedents of an OEM branding campers. Here is another quote from truckcampermagazine:

"Scott: After we developed an aluminum Jeep-branded trailer for Chrysler,"

And who could forget the GM motorhomes from the early '70s?

I am not saying that it is a bad idea. As the owner of a motorhome I sure wish that it had the integration and quality control of any new car. I would pay extra for that quality assurance.

@good grief, I'd say thats a smart move by Ford.

This is very interesting to me, as I got to speak with some Ford people at a camper show and heard about this, even took survey, one of the things about campers is no matter what you buy there is always things missing, when I spoke to them at the event, one of the questions was about changes in camper design, and how they could make specific installs per the customer, which is a huge idea for those of us that camp all the time aorund the country. Again great Job Ford!

Also to note, in several years when GM decides to catch up again and do something like this, I wonder if the camper wheel wells will be square to match the truck?

As the owner of a motorhome I sure wish that it had the integration and quality control of any new car. I would pay extra for that quality assurance.

Posted by: Walt | Dec 4, 2015 8:08:30 AM

Agreed. It is pretty common knowledge that if you buy a new motorhome, even a good name brand, expect a lot of time at the dealer for the first year. They are built wham bam thank you mam.

I can see it now, the Ram(tards) buying these. All the while owning them saying how ford is always behind and all I do is pull a ford all day.
And if any problems show up, it's all about the trailer - not my precious rammy.

Typical Ford . One battery, but will charge you extra for Ford sticker .
First thing I would do if I win this trailer, would be to sell it to some sucker with extra profit.

So, you're going to pay a premium for a Ford branded travel trailer. Then, when you've had enough it will be harder to sell because it's a Ford branded travel trailer.

Brilliant!!

Terrible idea for Ford. As a former Livin Lite dealer, if I were a Ford marketing executive, I would not want my name associated with this product. Fit and finish is substandard, warranty and aftermarket service is terrible. They are FAR from a mainstream brand or "major player" in the RV industry. R-Vision tried a similar arrangement with Dodge several years ago. Proved to be the last gasp of a dying company.

Have seen these Ford branded slide in campers on Ford trucks around Dearborn for the past year. They do a lot of testing on I94. I thought the Ford logo on the campers was just there to obstruct the original branding on the campers. Turns out there was more to it. They were testing the product before they allowed there name on it. I'll give Ford credit for that.

"Ford is an industry leader in towing technology,"

Um yeah, are we still talking about the same company that uses a 1940s C channel frame on their HDs in 2015 still and probably most of 2016. While every one else moved to a fully boxed frame years ago. Some leader you got there LOL!

Did you not make it on that Short Yellow STOOL Bus this morning johnny blow hard?? Those people are trying so hard with you. Idiot.

Cool Trailer!!

In other news, Ford Mustang have all been sold until 2017 in OZ.

Looks like Australians have a real car now.

What's a stool bus Truckcrazy? Do you mean a school bus? Don't worry keep working at it, one day you pass that third grade spelling test! I know you can do it.

Australians got a decent car for now *Ford Mustang*. They will get a real pony car soon though

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/12/2016-chevy-camaro-ss-clobbers-ford-mustang-gt-in-latest-comparison-test/

Um yeah, are we still talking about the same company that uses a 1940s C channel frame on their HDs in 2015 still and probably most of 2016. While every one else moved to a fully boxed frame years ago. Some leader you got there LOL!

Posted by: johnny doe | Dec 4, 2015 10:33:44 AM

Ummmmmmm yea, that short bus you have been taking to school for the last 22 years also has a C frame. C frames are still here and not going away. If you knew anything about trucks you would know that by now. But since you only have a prius how would you know anything about C frames. Industry standards for class 4 and up are C frames.

One problem DIL DOE, they're not going to sell that POS there.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/355267/chevrolet-camaro-not-coming-to-australia-holden-confirms-no-rhd/

@rvbsmart
They have tried selling Livin Light Campers here, but agree with your assessment

Frank,
Yeah, that's good for Ford. I read that the first batch of Mustangs were sold out in a very short time.

See what happens when you build a vehicle tilted towards the global market like the new Mustang.

As far as the Mustang goes, it better be much nicer, than what I saw in Hawaii, being driven around

But school bus are not built to tow around 30,000 pounds, and the bigger trucks have bigger double and triple walled C channel frames for added stiffness. The Ford? A small floppy noodle single walled C channel frame, that wears body mounts out and folds the radiator in half. Yeah guess I don't know nothing bout trucks, but I clearly know a little more then you do.

You can't be a leader in towing. When the frame, one of the most important things to do with building a base for a towing rig, is highly outdated. Maybe in 2017, when they finally get fully boxed like everyone else's HD's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDdrvl9TExI

Walt,
I like your views regarding the free market.

All the US needs to do now is free up it's pickup market and you will see prices drop.

Competition breeds progress. The consumer (pickup purchaser) can only benefit.

@Big Al from Oz,
Quality issues are raising there head with Ford in Australia, with the Ranger

Robert,
Yeah, that's good to hear.

Guts
Glory
Ram

Robert Ryan,
What issues are the Rangers encountering? I haven't heard too much in relation to the problems.

My BT50, come Ranger clone, hasn't had any real issues other than the gearbox fail. From what I read only 3% of gear boxes have failed. The number is also similar to the Mustangs with the same gearboxes. Remember the data did come from the manufacturer (Ford).

The manual gearboxes failed between 30k and 35k on the dot. Amazing. So, the problem had little to do with the load placed on the gearboxes.

I had to replace the silicon intercooler pipe as it was installed incorrectly and rubbed against the battery bracket. The climate control was re-flashed as the actuators keep on driving after the valves were open/closed.

I have heard of a few auto gearboxes with problems.

Overall I have been relatively happy with the performance of the vehicle.

johnny doe,
After reading the many comments on PUTC from the likes of Lou and his Sciencetologist followers, don't all pickups in the US tow 15 000lbs and have a 3 000lb load in the bed?????

Geez, when I visit the States two or three times a year that's all I see. American full size pickup with 5 to 6 on board with a huge load in the bed, towing a triple axles trailer with a bull dozer, backhoe and a tractor.

It's all about load and tow, just ask the Ford marketeers on PUTC.

@Big Al from Oz,
The CEO of Fiat is giving up his plans for a hostile takeover of GM for now.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ram+chrysler&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#tbm=nws&q=fiat+chrysler+takeover

Your an idiot Johnny dumb dumb, medium duty trucks have a single c channel per side. Including tractor configurations. Keep trying prius boy. C channel is determined by thickness. A number that you have no clue about.

Robert Ryan,
Yeah, its good to see that Ford realised the benefits of the IRS!

The Mustangs doesn't have a grafted coiled sprung SUV rearend.

The are probably one of the best looking Fords around. It's a pity the people who styled the Mustang didn't style the aluminium F-150.

But, as Ford found out aluminium is harder to shape with more complex geometry than steel.

That's why car shapes have been changing. As the metal becomes higher in tensile strength the amount you can work the material becomes more limited.

Look at all the curves in the cars from the 50s and 60s. That's because the metal was more malleable and ductile.

@Big Al from Oz,
Some issues from the earlier Rangers.
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/ford-ranger-used-review-2011-2013-30728

LAmO,
C section strength isn't just determined by thickness, dumb dumb.

On a chassis the bottom chord would be thicker with the top chord thinner.

The biggest determinant is the dimension of the sidewall. The greater the side wall the more strength. Where the weakness lies in the flexing and deformation when a load is placed on a chassis.

That's why many light chassis are actually two C sections that form a hollow section.

Hmmmm.......................what do you really know???

Go and learn about structural engineering. Google it.

As I said kid, the frame is bigger. Good try though!

Robert Ryan,
Thanks for the link, it was interesting. A couple of the issues I can relate to ....... or it concerns me.

It appears the radiator hose issue has been recognised by Frod and Mazda. I got a recall letter the other day. I hope Fords/Mazdas fix isn't to just use a cable tie!

Some of the problems I have found out regarding the very first of the BT50s and Rangers was due to the Thai floods, especially in the area of panel fit.

When the Mazda engineer came out and looked at my ute a few years back, he mentioned that Ford and Mazda had to move as many vehicles out of their Thai factories before they went under.

The oil pump priming issue is a known fact. I have been aware of this for several years. I couldn't tell you how many mates emailed me with links regarding the non priming oil pump. I wonder why Ford didn't just put a check valve in the line to prevent the pump from draining. Not rocket science.

Fat Girl From oz, did you even read your post. You said it is not determined by thickness and then you preceded to babble about top and bottom cord thickness. Sure side wall is important to strengthen the frame but in a lower profile frame the top and bottom cord will help with the termination of strength.

Oh Robert Ryan,
The suspension is not an issue. The Mazda engineer recommended that I remove the "Ford" suspension and buy an ARB setup.

He said Mazda Australia had test mules and they tried out all the after market suspensions. I suppose if you find one better why re-invent the wheel, just copy it.

The suspension change has given me a better ride overall. The biggest killer to my ride quality was the installation of those 10 ply BFG T/As.

I'm currently running 38psi for the highway. The problem is it wheel spins right up to 4th gear and it is only accelerating like a Corolla or Pulsar.

Fun though on roundabouts in the wet! Turn of the stability control and it's a handful, just wheel spins!

@Big Al from Oz,
It says the following.

At the 15,000km first service it was noticed that Peter Blair's 2013 PX Ford Ranger 4x4 3.2 the rear suspension was inverted due to the weight of the motorhome it was carrying. When fully loaded the vehicle was right on the GVM limit for the Ranger and the rear suspension was almost down on the bump stops and the springs were inverted. Peter said it drove poorly and felt unsafe, but no one from Ford or the RV manufacturer would accept the problem. The answer was to upgrade the springs and shock absorbers. After paying $1300 for the upgrade the van handles better, and is stable and smooth. The guy who fitted the gear told them that it is not an isolated problem, and that he fits a couple of new Rangers with two extra leaf springs each week.
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/ford-ranger-used-review-2011-2013-30728

Robert Ryan,
Yeah, I have never carried more than 1/2 a tonne in the bed of my ute.

The brother of a guy at work lives in Cairns and is a chippy and owns a Ranger 4x4.

He bought it with the standard pickup tub/bed. He complains about the height of the bed and how the rear suspension sags.

He left his tools in the back all the time. I don't know how much weight he had in the bed. Plus he was towing a tandem wheeled trailer full of gear. This would of weighed at least 2 to 2.5 tonnes.

There was an issue with the setting of the springs at the factory. In some cases one side would sag when loads are left in the back of the utes.

This is a bad practice. Never leave any vehicle loaded constantly. As the "memory" of the metal is retained eventually and your springs will sag. Add to this a loaded trailer on the hitch with another hundred or so kilos.

But, my Old Man Emu suspension works a treat, it's also great off road, handles well. I'm going to try running my tyre pressure at 32psi. I'm hoping the tyres wear evenly.

LaMo,
Go and finish your homework, or mommy (mum) will not let you have cookies (biscuits) before you go beddy by.

Don't forget to brush your teeth after eating the cookies and going to bed!

LaMo,
Go and finish your homework, or mommy (mum) will not let you have cookies (biscuits) before you go beddy by.

Don't forget to brush your teeth after eating the cookies and going to bed!

Guys
Glory
Ram

Hemi power

Awwwwww poor fat Girl From oz and Johnny dill doe has nothing left to say. Ok, here is a question for both you girls. Under max tow, where is all the load on the frame?