In search of a better truck for towing the M6060 and folding cutter.

[McMXi]

I recently read that the liquid de icer used in some states is causing issues with aluminum corroding. Normally aluminum builds a oxide that protects itself but the chemicals in the new de icers cut through that and attack the base metal. Seeing damage on big rigs that are using aluminum in those states at this point.

There a significant differences between big rigs and pickup trucks and cars in terms of the number of hours on the road each year exposed to all sorts of things, not to mention the types of coatings on the aluminum. Many big rigs have polished or brushed aluminum parts such as fuel tanks and steps that rely on the naturally occurring aluminum oxide layer that forms to protect the base metal. Most passenger vehicles using aluminum body panels will have coatings on them to prevent or at least reduce corrosion. Some of those coatings are proprietary, and no doubt some use a combination of anodizing, etching primers and paint.

Aluminum wheels have been used on cars and truck for decades, but they typically have a clear coat or paint to protect the substrate from corrosion.

 

[Sidekick]

There a significant differences between big rigs and pickup trucks and cars in terms of the number of hours on the road each year exposed to all sorts of things, not to mention the types of coatings on the aluminum. Many big rigs have polished or brushed aluminum parts such as fuel tanks and steps that rely on the naturally occurring aluminum oxide layer that forms to protect the base metal. Most passenger vehicles using aluminum body panels will have coatings on them to prevent or at least reduce corrosion. Some of those coatings are proprietary, and no doubt some use a combination of anodizing, etching primers and paint.

Aluminum wheels have been used on cars and truck for decades, but they typically have a clear coat or paint to protect the substrate from corrosion.

Yes aluminum has been used for years but the current liquid de icer formulas have only been used a couple years. Time will tell. My new 2018 Chevy truck frame rusted almost through in less then 2 years and Chevy blamed it on current de icing materials used in our area so it definitely is a problem with their steel. My new Ford ranger has zero rust in the same conditions and time period so Ford definitely has the coatings right.

 

[McMXi]

On a side note, once again B&W didn't disappoint and I'm reminded why I have three B&W tow and stow hitches. The gooseneck hitch kit showed up today. It appears to be typical B&W quality, and the local Ford dealer chipped in $100 towards the $300 cost since I used the maximum allowable credit card payment when I bought the truck and I get 2% cash back. It'll be a few months before I get to use it though, but now I'm ready to pick up a gooseneck trailer at least, and without having to drill, cut or weld anything! So this is how that feels.

I already know which trailer I want, and there a few available locally, but I'm going to wait a few months and try to sell my 22ft hydraulic tilt trailer first.

That's it for a while other than I did buy two gallons of pre-mixed coolant that @biketopia mentioned from the dealer and it cost almost $60!! So nothing else to add until I've put some miles on the truck and pulled the boat, the dump trailer and the tractors around. Thanks to everyone for putting up with this thread, and thanks again for all those that suggested an F-450.

 

[JasonW]

I have the same kit for mine. Scored it used probably a year before I even had a gooseneck trailer.
It’s nice to have the handle so you can pull it out without getting grease on everything.

 

[BBFarmer]

I plan on adding a bit of coolant once I figure out what it takes.

We use the Motorcraft coolant on all the newer stuff. Ford went through a coolant shuffle over the last 5 years or so from green, red, orange, yellow, gold, and now back to a yellow, we didn't want to mess with the universal stuff and so far it's worked out just fine, even when converting over to the new standard.

Possibly vc7b or vc13g. I mainly end up using mostly the vc13

Aint ran into nothing that new yet though.

 

[biketopia]

Possibly vc7b or vc13g. I mainly end up using mostly the vc13

Aint ran into nothing that new yet though.

I believe both of those specs are for the "gold" coolant, the current standard is yellow. These are the two numbers from AllData that it calls out.
WSS-M97B57-A1
or
WSS-M97B57-A2

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/ac-and-engine-cooling-products/engine-cooling-system-products/yellow-prediluted-antifreeze-coolants.html/1000

 

[McMXi]

Possibly vc7b or vc13g. I mainly end up using mostly the vc13

Aint ran into nothing that new yet though.

This is the stuff that the Ford parts department handed me when I told them I wanted pre-mixed coolant for a 2024 F-450. It's VC-13DL-G and yellow as you can see on the label and has specification WSS-M97B57-A2.

My '02 takes a gold coolant in the form of VC-7DIL-B.

 

[hedgerow]

McMxi All I can say is to enjoy the pickup and I sure wouldn't be scared of it. Over the years I have bought many low mileage trucks that folks life got in the way and they needed to move them. One the last ones I had was a 10 year old F-150 5.0 V8 four door that was loaded with twenty thousands miles on it but it had a few bumps on it from the eighty five year of gentlemen that had drove it and passed. Got a good deal on it and for me it made a nice every day farm truck, drove it another hundred thousand miles with only general maintenance. I have used the BW hitches for years and really like them. That 450 will do the job you need and more.

 

[McMXi]

McMxi All I can say is to enjoy the pickup and I sure wouldn't be scared of it. Over the years I have bought many low mileage trucks that folks life got in the way and they needed to move them. One the last ones I had was a 10 year old F-150 5.0 V8 four door that was loaded with twenty thousands miles on it but it had a few bumps on it from the eighty five year of gentlemen that had drove it and passed. Got a good deal on it and for me a made a nice every day farm truck, drove it hundred thousand miles with only general maintenance. I have used the BW hitches for years and really like them. That 450 will do the job you need and more.

Thanks and I intend to. I don't have any anxiety re this new truck and stupid comments from miserable members only serve to show how stupid and miserable they are.

I've owned a '98 Jeep TJ for almost 24 years that I bought in Hawaii. I bought it used with 19,471 miles on the odometer on May 5th, 2001. It was first sold on May 20th, 1998 then changed hands on October 12th, 1999 with 6,463 miles on the odometer. Must be a problem vehicle right? Someone only had it for a year and 6,500 miles, and the second owner dumped it 18 months later with close to 19,500 miles on the odometer.

I'd better get rid of it before it blows up since clearly it's a problem vehicle!

P.S. +110% on the B&W comment. They're not cheap but they are really well made, and made in the US too.

 

[McMXi]

Another sidetrack. When I was at the Ford dealer yesterday, the salesman I dealt with (really nice guy) mentioned a Super Duty that was in for service with a retro paint scheme. He texted me this photo of the truck. I think it looks awesome, and reminds me of a farm truck from the '60s and '70s. Interesting roof rack too.