“Built Ford Tough” just got a whole new meaning. This past July, the iconic American automaker made waves in the automotive industry when the company announced that its 2015 F-150 trucks would lose up too 700 lbs., thanks to a newly designed aluminum alloy engine block and frame. Though traditionally manufactured using steel, the falling price of aluminum and impending fuel economy standards made it an easy choice for Ford executives.
As Motor Trend senior editor Jonny Lieberman said, “substantially lowering a vehicle’s weight increases the performance and the mileage. If the costs can be kept in check, and if repairs are reasonable, Ford has a definite winner on its hands.”
You hear that, America? The #1, top-selling pickup trucks in the country are now (primarily) built aluminum tough – not steel. And while there are a lot of automotive and truck manufacturers that still use steel for its durability (Marion included), in recent years, aluminum has taken over as the material of choice for several reasons:
1.) More Lightweight
If a Ford F-150 can shed up to 700 lbs. after switching from steel to aluminum, imagine how much less an aluminum fire truck cabs weighs compared to a steel one! And while being more lightweight will help make the vehicle more maneuverable, using a lighter cab with the same horsepower engine will also provide your crew with much better acceleration, fuel efficiency, and braking distance.
2.) Better Weight Distribution
Not only do all-aluminum truck cabs weigh less than steel cabs overall, the weight is distributed more evenly all-around. Rather than fabricating a top-heavy cab with an aluminum alloy skeleton and steel roof, doors, and doghouse, our fire apparatuses use aluminum throughout – making for smoother maneuverability and a lower center of gravity.
3.) Improved Strength
When comparing steel and aluminum pound-to-pound, it’s no surprise that steel is the winner in the battle for strength (it has to win somewhere, right?). However, as aluminum extrusion technology continues to improve, aluminum alloy is stronger than ever – making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a high strength-to-weight ratio.
In addition, rather than using old technology and sheet aluminum with a lower tensile strength (failure point), Marion uses aluminum with an alloy-temper of 6061-T6 and tensile strength of 45,000 lbs. per sq. inch. Compare that to an industry standard 5052-H32 alloy-tempered aluminum sheet with a tensile strength of 33,000 lbs. per sq. inch, and you’ll find that our extrusion alloys are 36% stronger.
4.) No Rust
One of the biggest advantages to choosing aluminum over steel is its natural resistance to corrosion. Unlike steel, aluminum cabs won’t rust after getting wet – an important characteristic for a truck known for spraying thousands of gallons of water!
5.) Nearly Equal Costs
As technology continues to improve, so have the processes for producing aluminum. As a matter of fact, in 1884, a pound of aluminum cost about $380 in today’s money! Thankfully, however, there has been a massive reduction in price, and aluminum is now typically worth about $0.76 per lb., depending on the quality (in comparison, steel is worth approximately $0.39 per lb.). In addition, because aluminum is so resistant to rust and corrosion, aluminum products really don’t need to be painted or treated with chemicals – another cost-saving step.
When it comes to building fire apparatus that performs excellently, aluminum is clearly the superior metal. And with more than 50 years of experience building all-aluminum emergency vehicle bodies, no other manufacturer in the U.S. has been doing it for as long as we have. With better acceleration, fuel economy, stopping distance, and truck longevity, choosing an all-aluminum cab for your next emergency vehicle is the best decision you can make – just ask Ford!
