The trucks were linked with a tow cable. This has been reproduced in multiple locations now...a friend of mine witnessed it. Don't get too hung up on the "staged" thought. Ford has way too much to lose if they were caught cheating on this kind of thing.

This is something they tested many times before they took it public. They aren't taking chances here....they know they won't lose this "exhibition".

 

thanks APT.

I suppose I was so wrapped up in the marketing of it all I didnt even think about the obvious... traction.

Oh well. It obviously did the trick as I bought into the hype of the bumper pull.

 

Seems to me that they could have a much better test if they dropped, say, a 1000 lb. weight in the bed of each truck and then performed the same test. That way both trucks would have sufficient traction and it would be a simple matter of which one was stronger and no one could complain about tires, bumper height etc.!

 

I remember reading a couple weeks ago that the F-150 actually lost one of these pulls. I think they said that it started in the pile of rubber from the Toyota. So its tiers started spinning first.

 

That's a good idea stratman. Add weight so traction is not the limiting factor.

Another test I have heard about was towing in which the new F-150 beat the Hemi by a little. I don't know what gearing they were using for either trucks, but that is one potential excuse for the loser.

Don't feel bad, J-150. That is what marketing gets paid to do. Convince us all their product is best for us.

 

APT,

My comments were not directed at you specifically. Just seemed to me that the conversation in the thread went from people posting what they have heard (not saying that it was or was not factual) to a mudslinging contest. If someone says something you feel is incorrect it is best to advise them of such without demeaning them. It is just a matter of good ethics. Sometimes even I come off the same way and would like to know if I do. Just pointing out how I felt after reading through to the point I made comment. At least it seems to have cured the childishness for the moment.

 

I'm an engineer and I asked the same question. My dealer said that they made it a point to hook the bumpers level. Apparently it was talked about.

 

The main reason that the '04 F-150 wins this contest is because it's the heaviest of the trucks and that gives it the best traction (as long as the tire contact patches are all pretty much the same, which they would generally be as long as they're all stock). The engines are all fairly close in their ratings so it comes down to who can maintain their traction the longest, thus the failure against the Tundra because the F-150 was in a slick spot to begin with.

With the extra 500 lbs. of the new model, that's about a 10% advantage over the Chevrolet and Dodge, and an even larger margin against the Tundra.

It's a very clever marketing ploy, because if it's set up correctly, the outcome is already known!

 

hell just lock em both in 4-wheel low and let em have at it

 

Im a mechanical engineering student in my 3rd year, so I know all about the friction coefficients of the tires and the torque curves of the engines and so on and so on. However, I think there are times when science should be applied to the real world and times when it shouldnt. Hookin up bumpers is just good ol fashion redneck fun. If you win, you win. If you lose, you lose. No excuses. If you were playing a game of tug o war and the other side said that they are losing because the coefficient of friction on thier hands is less due to their soft, smooth skin ...i think i would laugh at them and then give them one good yank and watch them fall in the mud...