9/27/14

2015 Ford F-150 Truck Towing Test | Hauling Hay | You Test: Episode # 2



Watch as the 2015 F-150 truck is put to the test lifting thousands of pounds of hay across a ranch in Montana--showing powerful towing capabilities.

9/25/14

10 Awesome Driver-Assist Features That Help 2015 Ford F-150 Customers Drive Smarter



The all-new Ford F-150, the smartest F-150 yet, is available with the following class-exclusive driver-assist technologies: adaptive cruise control, smart towing module, multi-contour seats, active park assist and 360-degree camera system

    Smart features like these are why Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 37 years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 32 years

    The all-new Ford F-150, which goes on sale later this year as the ultra-capable pickup of the future, will give customers great convenience and smart solutions not only to get the job done, but to get it done right

The all-new Ford F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 yet, goes on sale later this year packed with available driver-assist features aimed at giving the customer improved utility, comfort and convenience.

Here are 10 examples of awesome driver-assist features the all-new F-150 offers, including one breakthrough class-exclusive feature to make parallel parking a full-size pickup a breeze:

    Class-exclusive active park assist Active park assist uses two ultrasonic sensors and electric power-assisted steering to help drivers parallel park. The sensors measure the gap between two vehicles to determine if there is enough room for the F-150. After confirming the F-150 can fit, the truck automatically steers into the space, while the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedals

    Class-exclusive adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support uses radar in the front of the truck to measure the distance and speed of vehicles ahead. Using this information, the F-150 can automatically slow to keep a consistent following distance set by the driver. The slower speed will be maintained if adaptive cruise control is activated. Collision warning triggers visual and audio alerts if the system detects the following distance is diminishing too quickly and a collision may occur. It also pre-charges the brakes if the driver needs to stop suddenly

    Curve Control The all-new F-150 has an innovative system that was developed exclusively by Ford engineers to help in those cases where you may enter a turn too quickly. Curve Control helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles if they take a curve too quickly by automatically reducing torque and applying four-wheel braking. This can reduce vehicle speed by up to 10 mph in approximately one second, assisting drivers to stay on their intended path

    Class-exclusive smart trailer tow module The smart trailer tow module shows the driver which lights on a trailer connected to the truck aren’t working, so the driver or a passenger doesn’t have to get out of the truck and walk around the trailer to personally find blown lights

    Class-exclusive multi-contour seats Multi-contour massaging seats are the antidote to a hard day on the job site

    Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert Available BLIS® uses radar sensors in the taillamps to monitor areas that may not be visible to the driver. The sensors trigger a warning light in the sideview mirrors to indicate another vehicle is in a blind spot if the driver is attempting to change lanes. These same sensors can also detect a vehicle coming down an aisle when the driver is slowly backing out of a parking space

    Lane-keeping system Available lane-keeping is designed to help prevent a driver from drifting outside of the intended driving lane. The system automatically detects the left- or right-hand road lane markings using a camera mounted between the windshield and interior rearview mirror. A vibration in the steering wheel is used to alert the driver. The system can also provide steering torque to help guide the vehicle back into the lane if needed

    Class-exclusive 360-degree camera with split-view display Available 360-degree camera with split-view display uses four exterior cameras to give the driver a bird’s-eye view of up to seven feet surrounding the F-150 to assist in parking, maneuvering in tight spots and navigating narrow roads and trails at low speeds

    Hill Descent Control Available Hill Descent Control™ uses the anti-lock brakes to give the driver control while descending a hill. With the push of a button, the truck’s speed is set automatically, allowing for the driver to concentrate more on driving and less on braking

    Individual tire pressure monitoring system Individual monitors show air pressure amounts for each tire and alert the driver when an individual tire is low

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

9/23/14

Reducing Glare in the All-New F-150



During anti-glare testing in the Lighting Lab, which boasts 6,000 watts of lighting and a planetarium-like dome, Ford tested prototype F-150s under a full variety of simulated lighting conditions.

9/21/14

Versalift VO-270-E 70' Aerial Lift



Here's a special chipper body with an articulated over-center 70' aerial lift for those special jobs that require up to a 46.5' reach and able to do the job at the location of choice. It was built by Versalift of Waco, Texas for CM Joslin Co of Conroe, Texas through Ed Miller at Chastang Ford in Houston, Texas. This is the third addition of this specialized unit to their fleet and another is being built to make it four. The truck is a 2015 F750 Ford Medium Duty Chassis.

To see more about this specific type of truck, see the Versalift V0-270-E.

9/19/14

2015 Ford F-450 vs Ram 3500 Cummins HD Diesel Extreme Towing Review



What's the baddest towing truck in the land? Is it the 2015 Ford F-450 or the Ram 3500 with the Cummins diesel? In this video we hitch up almost 30,000 pounds to both trucks and run them up a crazy steep seven percent highway grade to find out which pickup truck is the towing kind of the land.

 ( http://www.TFLtruck.com ) ( http://www:TFLcar.com )

9/17/14

All-New Ford F-150 Offers Added Protection Against Fading, Damage and Glare from the Sun



  •     Ford specially developed parts and extensively tested the 2015 Ford F-150 to ensure the truck resists fading and damage from harsh sunlight
  •     F-150 interior designed with brims and brows to minimize glare and shield gauges in the instrument panel while adding lighting for easier viewing of recessed areas
  •     Advanced computer modeling and testing in Ford labs helped ensure sunlight reflecting off interior surfaces of the vehicle will not wash out gauge and screen displays
When the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 has its day in the sun, it will be better prepared than ever for damaging rays both inside and out.

Much of the glare and fade testing was performed in the company’s Central Lab – where Ford engineers focus on making individual parts stronger and more durable. A device known as a Thermatron simulates damaging UV sunrays, and can be used over long periods of time on prototype parts to help identify the best design for production.

Antiglare testing took place in the Visual Performance Evaluation Lab, also known as the Ford lighting lab. The facility can replicate almost any sunlight conditions from dawn to dusk, as well as changes to natural light caused by weather conditions.




“Built Ford Tough means more than surviving dirt, rocks and mud, or towing heavy trailers,” said Cindy McComb, materials engineer in the Central Lab. “We like to think our work on this truck have given it the kind of sun protection Built Ford Tough trucks require to look as good after five years of exposure to sun, wind and rain as they do when they leave the showroom floor.”

Even the F-150 badge is tough-tested for exposure. Both the iconic Blue Oval and F-150 badges endured 3,000 hours of sun-like conditions – the equivalent of five years. The three-piece badge was exposed to temperatures as cold as 40 degrees below Celsius followed by blasts of 100-degree Celsius steam to help ensure chrome plating adheres so individual pieces of the badge won’t warp or crack.

In Ford Central Lab facilities in Florida – also home to NASA test facilities – engineers place individual exterior and interior parts on outside racks for six months at a time to look for fading and other signs of degradation. The parts are examined under a special xenon light to reveal damage invisible to the human eye. Parts are approved for production only when they meet rigorous fade-resistance standards.

Direct sunlight does more than fade vehicle parts over time – it can also make it hard to see information displayed on gauges and screens used for navigation and entertainment systems. Ford engineers used advanced computer-aided design software to identify the least reflective materials to use, and incorporated shaded gauges on the instrument panel of the all-new truck designed to minimize glare.

In some cases, gauges and instruments shaded from glare are enhanced with supplemental lighting throughout the Ford F-150 interior to make them readable in their recessed positions.

Indirect glare from general daylight brightness can wash out navigation and entertainment screen displays, too. Engineers tested various colors for the new F-150, ultimately choosing those that are easy to see under bright conditions.

“By reducing indirect glare, the driver should practically never see a sun spot in the center screen or instrument cluster,” said Cary Diehl, Ford human factors engineer. “In addition to testing gauges and screens under these conditions, we looked at the amount of light given off by LEDs in window and steering wheel control switches to ensure they would not be distracting to the driver when lit.”

During antiglare evaluations in the Ford lighting lab, which boasts 6,000 watts of light and a planetarium-like dome, Ford tested prototype F-150s under a variety of simulated lighting conditions.

Because many F-150 customers use their trucks for work at job sites, they don’t have the time or the patience to deal with hard-to-read gauges or controls inside the truck.

“Our work in the lighting lab ensures that despite almost any weather outside, customers will find it easy to read controls inside the truck today and years down the road,” said Mahendra Dassanayake, Ford lighting technical specialist.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

9/15/14

Harbor's WorkMaster Is Beautiful In Black





Here's a very nice looking work truck! Its a Ford Dually with a 12 foot Harbor Workmaster Body, very sharp looking!

The Harbor WorkMaster is a Service Body with a roof and additional useful features. It is available in a 10' (10' 4") for the single rear wheel cutaway chassis and comes with straight sides. In the dual rear wheel models, it is available in a 10', 12' and 14' models and can be mounted on cutaway chassis or on conventional chassis cabs. 

The Harbor WorkMaster is a perfect plumbers or HVAC truck, but is also useful in any number of different professions such as remodeling, mobile mechanic, locksmith, and other service industry uses to name a few. If you could use a truck that has storage for tools and parts and want a space that you can stand up in that is enclosed to do work in or keep larger items out of the weather and public view, the WorkMaster is your truck.


Here are some standard features on the Harbor WorkMaster:

1) Walk-in Full Height Enclosure with 74" Interior Clear Height


2)  Full-length Interior shelves on both sides giving you two shelves on both sides to store items


3)  Interior Ladder Rack keeps it out of sight. Rear Grab Handles. Interior Dome Lamp (Florescent upgrade package available)


4)  Rear Access Panel that is flush with the first shelf to handle occasional longer cargo


5)  Master Lock System is standard
6) 49" Floor on Single Rear and 58" Floor on Dually models


7) 12" wide Step Bumper


8)  Full height Rear Barn Doors

9)  45º Aerodynamic Front Roof Edge and Tapered Sides on Dual Rear Bodies



Visit our website at www.htbi.net or call Harbor at 800-433-9452.

9/13/14

Charter Communications Places First Large Fleet Order for All-New 2015 Ford Transit Van

  •    Charter Communications, the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, ordered more than 800 low-roof, regular-wheelbase Ford Transit vans to be used by technicians across its 29 state footprint
  •     Charter selected the 2015 Transit due to its superior fuel economy and cargo space
  •     Charter is one of the first large fleets to order the new full-size Transit van in the U.S.
Technicians for the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, Charter Communications of Stamford, Connecticut, will soon drive brand-new 2015 Ford Transit vans. Charter recently ordered more than 800 low-roof, regular-wheelbase Transit vans with the standard 3.7-liter Ti-VCT gasoline V6 engine for its technicians. These vehicles are used to transport equipment for installing and servicing Internet, TV and phone customer homes across 29 states.

“Charter Communications’ choice of the low-roof-model Ford Transit allows its installers the ability to maneuver in tight parking spaces and garages, while offering almost 56 inches of cargo height with rear cargo doors that open up to 180 degrees for easy loading and unloading,” said Kevin Koswick, director, Ford North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations.

Charter is one of the first large fleets to order the new full-size 2015 Transit van, which went on sale in June.

After an extensive review of available full-size vans, Charter selected Ford Transit due to its superior fuel economy and cargo space. Upfitting convenience was also a factor. The new Transit is built near Kansas City, Missouri, home to Charter equipment installer Auto Truck.

When the Charter team drove Transit at a March ride-and-drive event, the van’s handling, tight turning radius and panoramic windshield view sealed the deal.

“Charter is excited to be adding the Ford 2015 Transit Van to our fleet,” said Kathy Carrington, SVP of Corporate Services at Charter. “The handling, safety features, cargo space and fuel efficiency were all contributing factors to our choice and our technicians will be well equipped to serve our customers with these trucks.”

All-new Ford Transit offers 75 percent more volume
In the United States, Transit replaces America’s best-selling van for 35 years, E-Series, first sold in 1961 as Ford Econoline. Transit was introduced in Europe in 1965, and has been the best-selling commercial van in the United Kingdom for 49 years. The vehicle is sold in 118 markets on six continents.

In some configurations, the 2015 Transit offers as much as 75 percent more cargo volume than the largest E-Series, helping customers save in fuel costs and time associated with having to make a second trip. Maximum payload increases more than 600 pounds across the lineup versus comparable E-Series vans.

The all-new Ford Transit was designed with improved handling, steering and ride qualities. A power rack-and-pinion steering setup provides exceptionally communicative steering feel to the driver. The front suspension consists of subframe-mounted MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar for smoother, flatter cornering, combined with progressive-rate rear leaf springs and heavy-duty gas-charged dampers for well-controlled ride quality – regardless of load status.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

9/07/14

The All-New 2015 Ford F-150 in the Wind Tunnel





The new F-150’s structured look features squared-off edges, shapes and surfaces that convey confidence, capability and work readiness. Yet these elements also work together to allow F-150 to slip through the air more efficiently.

9/05/14

2015 Ford F-150 | Desert Testing



Brian Schober knows a thing or two about destroying trucks. His job as a test engineer is to ensure military vehicles won’t fail on the battlefield. And his commute itself has ruined 13 vehicles over the past year and a half. So how will the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 do on his desert course for 36 hours?

9/03/14

Secure the Load with TieHook™ sliding self-tightening rope cleat





TieHook™


World's first sliding self-tightening rope cleat that enables you to quickly and safely secure any type of cargo. Cuts down on workplace injury and can promote risk reduction, ultimately saving businesses money in the long run. 


For more info on this product, go to http://www.tiehook.com/.

9/01/14

How Ford Engineers Made the All-New F-150 the Toughest-Looking, Most Aerodynamically Efficient F-150 Ever



  •     Distinctive Built Ford Tough style of the all-new F-150 pushes boundaries of bold design while increasing aerodynamic efficiency over the previous model
  •     F-150 evolves hallmark design cues from first F-Series trucks
  •     Restyled badge echoes design elements throughout
Designers of the 2015 Ford F-150 had a challenging goal to meet when they set out to reimagine the world’s best-selling pickup: Create an aerodynamic, efficient design that did not compromise the tough, bold looks that define Ford trucks.

The team succeeded.

The new F-150’s structured look features squared-off edges, shapes and surfaces that convey confidence, capability and work readiness. Yet these elements also work together to allow F-150 to slip through the air more efficiently.

“The truck’s sharp, boxy shape gives it a tough appearance, but actually the key to the design is aerodynamic efficiency – getting the most out of the shape,” said Brad Richards, Ford F-150 exterior design manager. “We made F-150 look tough and capable, while also reducing wind resistance.”

Aerodynamic testing ensures a happy medium
Richards and team accomplished the feat of balancing strength and efficiency by incorporating sharp edges into the overall design. The strategically designed edges convey toughness, but also enable airflow to hug the surfaces at the front portion of the truck. Rear corners are designed to allow the air to cleanly detach from the vehicle to reduce turbulence and swirling air that can cause drag and reduce efficiency. The improved aerodynamics help increase efficiency by reducing the work performed by the engine to overcome aerodynamic drag.

The grille is vertical, yet its outer portions are angled back and lead to the headlamps and bumper corners that are also swept back to smoothly direct airflow down the sides, reducing drag. The beveled leading edge of the hood helps promote smooth airflow to the windshield and roof.

As the design of the all-new F-150 evolved with clay models, wind tunnel testing enabled designers to see where they could gain greater aerodynamic efficiencies:
  •     Flush-mounted windshield eliminates need for molding that would disrupt smooth airflow
  •     Tailgate top is designed to act as a spoiler, giving air that flows off the roof a place to land before smoothly trailing off, reducing turbulence behind the truck
  •     Cargo box is narrower than the cab, with no reduction in box volume, which enhances airflow, while a trim piece prevents air from getting trapped between cab and box
  •     Rear corners including taillamps are precisely angled so air breaks off cleanly, reducing turbulence behind the truck
  •     The duct under the headlamp channels air through to the wheel housing and reduces the wake generated from the wheel.
“Testing in the wind tunnel helped us fine-tune a happy medium between styling, aerodynamics, engineering and cost,” said Richards. “We learned where we could push shape and design to reduce drag, and where to stop when we weren’t gaining anything.”

Toughness is in the details
“The shapes, lines, angles and motifs are much stronger on the all-new F-150, and the chiseled edges convey toughness,” said Richards. “The hallmark beltline along the outside mirrors is the strongest piece of Built Ford Tough DNA. That’s inspired by heavy equipment such as cranes and bulldozers. It looks good, but it also improves driver visibility.”

The dropped beltline styling element can be seen in the outline of the headlamps and taillamps, while bevels, angles and notches are incorporated into the hood, windshield and tailgate, as well as throughout the interior, including the sew patterns on the seats.

F-150 also retains heritage design cues, such as the familiar headlamp shape that evokes the grille surround of the 1948 Ford F-1 and wraparound steel front bumper.

New badge signifies efficiency, leadership
Design details of the truck carry over to the new badge design, in which the characters are shaped with bevels to mimic those found in the body design.

The signature “F” has been opened up to signify a lighter, more efficient truck, yet it’s also larger to emphasize F-Series truck leadership.

The new badge design, using a font called Bold Leadership, will eventually find its way onto all F-Series trucks – right on through to the medium-duty Ford F-750.

“F-Series is all about bold and tough,” said Marco Querciagrossa, who leads badge design for Ford vehicles. “We created a badge that confidently conveys that.”
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.