KeriBlog

Cars, Security and a Peek into my Life

How Ford Tests its F150 (& uses Men from Craigslist)

From inside the factory – how Ford tests its F150 pickup truck before putting it into final production.

From the robots to the dynos, actually Ford’s toughest test involves men it hired off Craigslist – the ‘Big Man Test’.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

One of the toughest tests Ford has created doesn’t involve robots, or any tech at all. Instead they used 6’7″ 300 lbs men they hired from Craigslist, and called it the “Big Man Test”.

Fun fact: Ford’s PR team said this is the first time the ‘Big Man Test’ story has ever been published in Canada.

YES to my story finding skills.

***

From when I travelled with Ford to their proving grounds and factory last week.

Torque test.

Seat test for rattles.

That’s Mark, a 165 lb fake-human.

The tests run 24/7 for days.

There are robots everywhere.

This robot tests the fabric wear on the seats.

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Biggest Vehicle I Ever Reviewed

The 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 & the GMC Sierra Denali 3500

Read in on Autonet.ca

Chevy Jump Truck

Both badges are powered by a Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo diesel, outputting 397-horsepower and wait of it… 765 lb-ft of torque COME on.

Assume the position: trucker stance.

The hood and I are the same height.

So arty.

Dichotomy.

 

 

Off-Roading in the 2013 Ford Raptor

Ford’s extreme pickup truck has a very enthusiastic fan base, but having never driven one, didn’t understand why.

Ford invited KeriBlog to Alberta a couple months ago, to test their F150 truck lineup, part of which was, “here’s a Raptor and a crazy course, have fun”.  I totally get it now.

The Raptor eats it, all unaffected.

 

(photo: Jeremy Sinek)

It’s a 6.2L V8 engine, outputting 411 hp and 434 lb-ft. of torque with a 6-spd automatic and 4-wheel drive

Comes in one trim only, love that.

Limited options include: a moonroof, bed-liners, and a graphics package, (say no to all). Front and rear cameras are extra, $1000 for both (meh, use your eyes).

2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Starting at – $56,599

Then around the track with Jeremy Sinek, chief road-tester at MSN Autos, and a far better driver than I.

Me losing control of my neck ha.

I also learned how to tow on that trip, here’s a video of that; and here’s another video about their clever infotainment input design.

Lastly, here’s the post about that Alberta trip, where the sky really is bigger, and the drive instructors are awesome.

 

How to Backup a Trailer in 5 Steps

Follow these 5 steps to backup a trailer.

  1. crank the steering wheel all the way
  2. find a towing buddy and agree on hand signals
  3. reverse with wheel cranked
  4. slowly un-wind the wheel as trailer straightens out
  5. follow the trailer back

Read it online here:

Favourite line:

The most important part to remember is – don’t do the math on the weight being towed, instead it’s the GVWR – gross vehicle weight rating.

Made a video to go along with this week’s column. 

Thanks to my driving buddy that day, Jeremy Sinek, for helping me film! We also won the fuel economy challenge, helped by that I didn’t drive.

Here we are with a Tyranasaurs Rex.

Where the video came from.

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