Looking to land a blow in a pickup news cycle that’s lately been dominated by Ford—first with the aluminum 2015 F-150 and then the Super Duty diesel’s massive output numbers—Chevrolet pitted its Silverado 2500 HD against a Ford F-250 in a torsional flex-off and filmed the results.
Employing the usual “park your truck on some ramps for maximum articulation and see if the tailgate will still open” test, the action is called by Chevrolet chief engineer Eric Stanczack, with noted thespian and proletariat crusader Howie Long providing the color commentary.
Although the ultimate point of the test is to illuminate frame twist—or lack thereof—Chevy uses the opportunity to point out how its roll-formed steel bed is superior to other beds made from either stamped steel or, and you knew this was coming, aluminum. According to Chevy, the roll-form process it uses to make truck beds permits the use of higher-grade steel that is lighter, stronger, and more durable, especially when under duress like this twist test.
The results of the twist-test are tabulated by measuring the amount of displacement measured between the cab and bed while the vehicle is precipitously parked on a set of ramps said to emulate the terrain one might find on a job site. (Although we can’t imagine very many people leave their trucks in this sort of position.) In the video, the F-250′s cab and bed deflect “about 0.95 inch” apart, with the Silverado HD checking in a paltry 0.26 inch. Looking for outside thid-party confirmation of its findings, Chevrolet hired AMCI Testing, who found similar results of 0.94 inch for the Ford and 0.26 inch for the Chevy.
- First Drive: 2015 Chevrolet 2500 / 3500 HD
- Official Photos and Information: 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 / 3500 HD
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500 / 3500 HD Research: Reviews, Pricing, Photos and More
Numbers are neat, but the money shot features an incredulous Long unsuccessfully attempting to open the twisted Ford’s tailgate and announcing, “Stuck.” Concerned that certain viewers still haven’t put two and two together, Long spells it out, taking shot at Ford in the process: “I’m confused, Eric. Some trucks claim to own work, but if the back of your truck doesn’t open up, how are you gonna get any work done?” Gauntlet dropped.
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