Frame Twist Test: 2014 Ram 3500 vs. 2014 Ford F350

Frame twist test: 2014 Ram 3500 vs 2014 Ford F350 #troncallityler

[MariK]

frame twist has been a debate over the years even amongst engineers, fords argument goes in line with big rig haulers where frame twist is nesessary to ensure the rear stays flat with the road putting pressure on the cross axle wheels, with extremely heavy loads you often see the rigs frame twist under the torque, this is completely normal. there are many of these fords that go through this condition daily with nearly a million miles on them.

[JustSpark]

Actually this is ideal for both trucks. The fords will keep traction longer than the dodge, helping you get out of that hole.
The dodge loses traction quicker, and gets stuck in the hole, but the tailgate opens so you can get the rope out.

[trey.b-]

looking back from the future now, I have never seen a super duty frame snap in half from load like the dodges or rust out like the HD Gm trucks.

[ohyeahthatsright]

All this shows is: If you get stuck in the wilderness, the bears can open the ram doors to get you.

[adominable]

Oh! Great thing my dually dodge will survive extreme body twist! Great for rock climbing. Now I just gotta go before my transmission breaks...

[g]

This is good to know. Next time I go to open my tailgate when I'm parked with my back right off the ground I know whether or not I can expect it to open!

[paftaf]

1:47
“It’s harder to get the wheels off the ground on this one”.
Isn’t that a great thing?

[ronfillmore]

I had purchased several Ford Power strokes starting in 1994. Had used them for many, many miles towing trailers all over the nation. In 2006 I switched to a Dodge Ram Diesel primarily because I wanted a 6 speed manual transmission. At the time Ford and GM truck 6 speed manual transmissions were set up with 6th gear being an overdrive. Owner's manuals tell you not to to tow in overdrive. The Ram 6 speed was not an overdrive, so chose the Ram primarily on that point. One of the first things I noticed was how much stiffer the Dodge frame was when towing a goose neck. With the Fords I always felt small frame flexes on uneven surfaces. Not with the Dodge! I have also been very favorably impressed with the Cummings diesel engine. I presently have nearly 280, 000 miles and it still runs great! Only thing I can fault is the seats are not as comfortable as the Fords.

[DavidStewart-npcj]

Body flex isn't as bad as people make it seem. It helps prevent cracks in the frame welds as the truck ages, it keeps the rear wheels planted. And Yes I know the tail gate can't open, but no one loads their truck like this anyways, so it's irrelevant.

[TylerGrantatTroncalli]

When I uploaded this video three months ago, I can say that I was completely unaware, naive almost, to the fierce loyalty that most truck owners have to their preferred brand.  Believe me, this video was not meant to slander, insult, or belittle anyone.  It was, and is meant to be educational.  The fact of the matter is that frames are not supposed to flex or bend - they are what holds things together.  Body panels attached to a flexible frame will kink, wrinkle, and spot welds will eventually break.  The argument was made that off-road vehicles have frames that flex to help absorb shock.  I disagree.  Look at trophy trucks, dune buggies, and even dirt bikes.  Their frames are all solidly built using beams that make triangles which we all know cannot be deformed by design (bridges are made like this).  It is the job of the suspension to absorb the bumps, potholes, crevices, and uneven terrain.

Switch back to road-going vehicles, like these two trucks.  Will either of these trucks encounter a situation where the frame will be placed under this kind of stress in an every-day situation?  Most likely, the answer is no.  The reason vehicles last so long these days is because they are over-engineered to withstand stresses and strains that we consumers will likely never even try.  But, isn't it nice to know you can have a vehicle that can and will hold up to this type of stress if or when it is ever called to do so?

On the point of past history that many have mentioned... Every brand of vehicle, especially the "Big Three", have been through their share of substandard quality, lackluster performance, poor dependability, and questionable longevity.  Some of you may not be old enough to remember when vehicles coming out of Japan were considered junk.  Look at them now.  The same can be said of Ram Trucks.  That huge departure from the conventional pick-up body style that happened in the earlier 1990's left a lot of truck owners and potential buyers scratching their heads.  Transmissions weren't so great, dashes cracked, styling was questionable.  But trying to say that new trucks are going to perform and last like models from 10, 15, and 20 years ago is like saying that everything you now know as a 30-year old you already knew at the age of ten.

To sum things up, my goal for this video is to educate the consumer.  I didn't mean to start the melee of mudslinging and name-calling that's happened in this thread.  I have but one request for the faithful Ford and GM truck owners:  it won't kill you to have a look at a new Ram.  When the time comes around for you to replace your Silverado, Sierra, or F-Series, do your due diligence and take a look at Ram Trucks.  Thank you all for watching my video, and thank you to all my new subscribers!

[Toastmaster_]

I'm pretty sure Ford engineers aren't dumb enough to let it flex that much unintentionally.

[_cal]

Everyone else: oh no the ford is bad.
ME: wonder how many transmissions that Dodge is going to need before 50, 000 miles

[blower]

Use a better mic next time...couldn't understand a word he was saying with that tornado blowing on his mic

[bowhunter]

This test is NO joke, I was delivering building materials to a rural home site in Pilot Point TX and twisted a 450 going through a small culvert which all of us had gone through in the previous week with like load and different trucks (gm, dodge). We literally use all brands of trucks even cab over Isuzu's. First time the Ford crunched the tailgate. It was brand new. Company removed the bed and installed a utility box with GN hitch. We still use it, runs great but a year later it won't hold an alignment and diving it is like herding cats. They are great trucks for RV'ers and the like but I notice more RAM's and GM's on the job sites nowadays. Truck needs to fit your purpose like buying a pair boots. I wear steal toe, the next guy may wear full quill ostrich. Dont mean nothin, as long as we support the family!

[painhour]

Never know when you might need to drive over some uneven ramps in a parking lot and open the rear doors or the tailgate

[michaelmillen]

Bought a 2014 f350, I have nothing but good things to say about it! Reliable! I have put it through some tests of my own and gotta say did fantastic. Nothing happened other than what the dealership messed up. But it's all fixed now and she running strong!

[acrane]

After owning a 2012 Ram, I have to say that the only bad thing about owning that thing was the tail gate design. If it rained, than water would fill up in that little crest and it would pour all over you (IF you had a tonneau cover). Other than that, the looks, performance, and all out durability make it my favorite :)

[Kanglar]

This is not a frame strength test, it's a flexibility test. If you bent each to its breaking point (a strength test) the ram would likely break under less force due to its rigidity. So flexibility is a bad thing according to this video?

[djhoffman]

Wait, I've learned so much reading these responses (see below), I just want to get all the facts straight. So the fords frame is supposed to flex because...

-the frame is an integral part of the suspension
-the frame is supposed to flex so all wheels maintain road contact
-the frame is supposed to flex because airplane wings do
-the frame is supposed to flex because Ford has sold the most trucks for however many years and that must mean they're supposed to
-flexing is good because rigid frames crack
-Ford didn't take bail-out money

But now I'm confused because of Ford's website saying this about the F150 frame-

"Ford engineers increased the use of high-strength steel in the all-new Ford F-150 frame from 23 percent to 77 percent to create a pickup frame that is stronger, more durable and structurally more rigid than the current F-150, while saving up to 60 pounds of weight"

That makes me think Rigid frames are good. Maybe the F150 just had a more flexible frame than the 250's/350's and soon it'll be as rigid as the Ford in this video?

Seriously though... To each their own, I've owned all 3.

[huntsbychainsaw]

The tailgate not opening is a bit of an issue but frame flex is not necessarily a structural flaw. There are benefits to both designs depending on your specific needs.