IIHS Crash Tests of 2016 Trucks

[OCD Overland]

The IIHS made a small splash in the news yesterday with the results of the first comprehensive round of testing they've ever done on full size trucks. They tested all the major brands and did full testing of each - front, overlap, small overlap, side, and roof strength. The F150 aced all the tests, but the others did poorly on the small overlap, some of them very poorly, and the Ram and the Tundra crew cab did poorly on the roof crush test as well though the Tundra extended cab did well. Frankly, the roof crush results on both of the Rams were pretty sad compared to the others.

Some of the small overlap crashes look nasty. On the Tundra, the front wheel ended up in the passenger compartment. Not good for a 40mph crash. I was surprised that the crew cab versions of the Chevy and GM fared worse than the extended cab, since they have the B-pillar support, but I guess the extra weight made a difference. Trucks seem to do poorly in general on the small overlap test. I assume that's because the impact misses the frame.

I'd already decided on getting the new Raptor as my next vehicle, so I can't say that these tests have made any impact on my decision, other than it's nice to know, and it also closes the book in my mind on the power wagon, which I was still sort of thinking about. (I'm assuming the power wagon would fare the same or worse in the tests as the 1500) But I'm curious what everyone else thinks about these tests. Our trips involve a lot of highway miles getting to our destination, and the Raptor will also be my daily driver, so safety is pretty high on my list.

Links -

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskt...lone-good-rating-for-small-overlap-protection
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-safest-pickup-on-the-road/
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/crash-tests-raise-questions-ram-040100686.html

 

[thethePete]

^ That small overlap test is really giving engineers a tough time in all the segments, but I'm glad they implemented it since it's a very common type of crash.

That new Raptor is sexy, isn't it? I'm interested to see how the Ecoboost does with that new 10-spd transmission behind it. I know I keep looking at them, even though I swore I wouldn't get a fullsize, and I want a Taco....

 

[Buddha.]

Front wheel ending up in the passenger compartment is something I thought ended a decade ago or more. I'm suprised modern trucks still have this problem. What happens in a collision when these trucks are at max payload or pulling a heavy trailer? I wouldn't want to find out first hand.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Looks like I may have to rethink the possibility of buying a Ram 1500 Eco Diesel.

 

[zelatore]

This would have no impact on my decision as crash test just aren't on my radar. Of course not so long ago fuel mileage wouldn't have been on my radar either but it's creeping up so maybe one day I'll pay attention to such things.

It does however go to support a point I've often made regarding SUVs: they're really stupid vehicles for most people. Unless you need and use the 4wd capability there are better choices, and I usually tell people they'd be better off with a sedan or wagon for a number of reasons, one of which is safety. I generally mean that in the form of active safety; that a better handling car is safer than a fat, tall truck/SUV. They will usually counter with 'but the bigger vehicle is safer in a crash' (as opposed to my argument of avoiding the crash in the first place) but here we have evidence that bigger isn't specifically better.

FWIW my last 3 full size trucks were Dodge 1500 quad cab and 2 Ford Lightnings. Performance, towing/hauling capacity, style were all factors. Crash test never even occurred to me.

 

[OCD Overland]

There's a difference though. Crash tests simulate what it's like to hit a tree, concrete barrier, etc. - something immovable. In vehicle on vehicle crashes, the one with the most momentum has the advantage, so in that case being in a big SUV or truck makes a difference. That's supported by highway fatality statistics. Historically, that statistic flipped in rollover accidents, but I seem to remember reading that that's not true with more recent vehicles.

 

[p nut]

That first link video sounded like a Ford commercial.
_
But glad that's what I'm driving. The 32" wheel in the footwell of the Dodge is unnerving.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

This would have no impact on my decision as crash test just aren't on my radar. Of course not so long ago fuel mileage wouldn't have been on my radar either but it's creeping up so maybe one day I'll pay attention to such things.

It does however go to support a point I've often made regarding SUVs: they're really stupid vehicles for most people. Unless you need and use the 4wd capability there are better choices, and I usually tell people they'd be better off with a sedan or wagon for a number of reasons, one of which is safety. I generally mean that in the form of active safety; that a better handling car is safer than a fat, tall truck/SUV. They will usually counter with 'but the bigger vehicle is safer in a crash' (as opposed to my argument of avoiding the crash in the first place) but here we have evidence that bigger isn't specifically better.

FWIW my last 3 full size trucks were Dodge 1500 quad cab and 2 Ford Lightnings. Performance, towing/hauling capacity, style were all factors. Crash test never even occurred to me.

We own 5 vehicles, each with its own purpose, none were purchased with crash tests in mind before we became parents. Now that we are parents and want the best for our child it is something to consider, this is why our next car will be a new Outback for my wife.

 

[OCD Overland]

Here are the videos of each of the crash tests - https://www.youtube.com/user/iihs/videos

The biggest obvious difference between the Fords and the others is that Ford seems to have designed the front wheel to flip sideways instead of getting pushed straight back. That's kind of a neat trick - it's almost like the wheel becomes a shield for the footwell.

 

[calicamper]

When you have young kids you value Life Insurance and crash test performance in your vehicles.

Its been a pet peeve of mine for yrs that these trucks continue to really lack the structural stuff all other passenger vehicles typically have today.

As a side note all of these are tested empty with zero load. Here on expedition portal load capacity is a huge topic because most people here have some kind of load in their trucks a large if not 99% of the time.

I can only imagine these performance results being just that much worse with added weight behind the cab driving the vehicle into the barrier with added force and taking longer for the heavier vehicle to kick off to the side as the passenger compartment strikes the object. The crushed compartment in empty format will be nearly obliterate in a loaded puckup.

 

[Haf-E]

Were any of these done on 4wd versions? Wonder how much that would change the results. Also - wonder what a steel ARB type bumper would also change.

Interesting to see the F150 do so well with the aluminum body.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Were any of these done on 4wd versions? Wonder how much that would change the results. Also - wonder what a steel ARB type bumper would also change.

Interesting to see the F150 do so well with the aluminum body.

Look here https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=arb+bumper+crash+test

 

[zelatore]

When you have young kids you value Life Insurance and crash test performance in your vehicles.

Its been a pet peeve of mine for yrs that these trucks continue to really lack the structural stuff all other passenger vehicles typically have today.

As a side note all of these are tested empty with zero load. Here on expedition portal load capacity is a huge topic because most people here have some kind of load in their trucks a large if not 99% of the time.

I can only imagine these performance results being just that much worse with added weight behind the cab driving the vehicle into the barrier with added force and taking longer for the heavier vehicle to kick off to the side as the passenger compartment strikes the object. The crushed compartment in empty format will be nearly obliterate in a loaded puckup.

That's a really good point. Would be very interesting to see the tests done again at GVWR.

 

[Buddha.]

When you have young kids you value Life Insurance and crash test performance in your vehicles.

Its been a pet peeve of mine for yrs that these trucks continue to really lack the structural stuff all other passenger vehicles typically have today.

As a side note all of these are tested empty with zero load. Here on expedition portal load capacity is a huge topic because most people here have some kind of load in their trucks a large if not 99% of the time.

I can only imagine these performance results being just that much worse with added weight behind the cab driving the vehicle into the barrier with added force and taking longer for the heavier vehicle to kick off to the side as the passenger compartment strikes the object. The crushed compartment in empty format will be nearly obliterate in a loaded puckup.

That's what im saying. Also what happens if that pallet of cement blocks or whatever comes loose in the box and goes through the back of the cab?

 

[justcuz]

That first link video sounded like a Ford commercial.
_
But glad that's what I'm driving. The 32" wheel in the footwell of the Dodge is unnerving.

When I look at the cab deformation, the hood flying open and spewing under hood parts everywhere and how bad the bed impacts the back of the cab, I'm not so sure it isn't.

Dodge had a media guy get killed at Hilton Ranch in Nevada during a ride and drive comparison test. The other vehicle he hit was not a Dodge and did not sustain near as much damage. After the Sheriff's investigation was over, Dodge hauled that truck out at night with a tarp over it. This was years ago and manufacturers make a choice when they design and build a vehicle. They all do their own crash testing.

Bigger vehicles with a larger area outside of the frame rails are going to fair worse than a car where most of that energy is going right to the unibody. Want to see a real ugly mess, look at big rig crashes.