Transfer Flow 40 Gallon Refueling Assembly

Ben from Transfer Flow goes over their new 40 gallon refueling tank at the latest Nor Cal Ford Truck Club event in Woodridge CA.  See more at www.transferflow.com

Exploring the Texas King Ranch in a Ford King Ranch

Ford developed its first special-edition King Ranch pickup for the 2001 model year, and today, more than a decade later, its offspring include three luxury versions: an F-150 pickup, an F-Series Super Duty truck, and an Expedition SUV.

The King Ranch brand has been appealing to Ford buyers, and its heritage is similar to the actual family-run King Ranch, which is located in Kingsville, Texas, and which is known as the birthplace of the American ranching industry. The ranch is one of the oldest family corporations in the U.S., and is nearly the size of Rhode Island, a massive 825,000 acres of land that sprawls across six Texas counties. It comprises nearly 1,300 square miles in south Texas, several turf grass farms there, and has significant agriculture holdings in Florida.
The History

The Ranch dates to the middle of the 19th century, when Captain King was captivated by a region known as the Wild Horse Desert. King and his wife Henrietta developed the Ranch, regarded by many as the birthplace of some of the finest quarter horses in America.

Because Ford's design team used the King Ranch to "reinvigorate" and authenticate the update to the 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty King Ranch edition, we drove the 2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch with the PowerStroke diesel engine to take a look at how the Ranch uses a fleet of more than 250 Ford pickups every day.

What drew Ford designers to the ranch for inspiration? "What really stood out is how prominent the 'Running W' is, and how it defines and unifies the ranch," said Barb Whalen, Ford color and material design manager. "Similarly, we wanted that brand to define the new Super Duty King Ranch." The Running W is actually the brand burned into cattle on the ranch.

On the new Super Duty King Ranch, that Running W is the focal point for the interior. It has been cut and stitched to make the seat backs and center console appear branded. What's new is a lighter, richer shade of Mesa leather that trims the seats, center console lid, armrests and steering wheel. The exterior has darker Caribou paint for the wheel lip moldings, bumpers and lower body, while the bed rail caps, bumper caps and running boards are trimmed in black, with Running W wheel caps.

Texas is a focal point for Ford, because more pickups are sold in Texas than any other state; in fact, it's the top truck market in the world. Not surprisingly, Texas is the top-selling market for Ford's F-Series trucks and its Expedition SUV, and the King Ranch is one of the top trims on the F-150, Super Duty trucks and the Expedition. Ford frequently conducts market research in Texas that helps shape future products.
The Ranch

Arriving at the ranch for our two-day visit, we learned that all the trucks and buses used by the Ranch are Ford King Ranch vehicles. "We depend very heavily on the durability and reliability of Ford vehicles," explained Dave DeLaney, the current VP and GM of the South Texas ranches. "This is very rugged country and we need trucks that can last."

King Ranch Chairman Jamey Clement agreed. "To us, there are so many similarities with Ford. We have the same value: taking care of people," explained the King family descendant. "What it's about is relationships and the more we understand each other, the more we get in a truck and it feels like 'us.' It's a way of life, and people want to be part of the winning team and want to experience it," he said. "What is the King Ranch 'family brand'? It's all interrelated; if you listen to our people talk, they say 'my truck, my cattle.'"

Finding the right partner is difficult, said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager. "We have a very select group of partners and the King Ranch is one of the few," Scott said. "It has to work right for us … with the idea of retailing and how it works for Ford dealers on the show room floor. One of the key tenets for us is brand authenticity and picking the right partners."
The Ride

How did the second-generation turbo-diesel 6.7-liter Powerstroke V8 Super Duty F-350 drive? We clocked from 14 to nearly 18 mpg on our highway drives, but we faced strong headwinds as we motored from Austin to the ranch, which borders the Gulf Coast. As we returned, we encountered heavy downpours, both of which took a nip out of the truck's fuel economy. Our luxury-laden Crew Cab model is a true boulevard-cruiser, with Clydesdale-like horsepower (440) and torque (860 pound-feet) and a host of electronic features like Bluetooth, navigation and the newly included MyFord Touch and Sync systems.

What did we like best? The quietness of the interior, which has a plentiful array of nooks and cubbies for stowage, and the pickup's ergonomics. My driving partner and I are both height-challenged drivers and used the running boards to aid with getting in and out, we liked the adjustable pedals and height-adjustable seatbelts, as well as the overall ergonomics that provided good visibility and comfort in the leather-appointed Captain's Chairs. We came to the conclusion, after our time behind the wheel, that Captain King would have approved.

For more information about the 2015 Super Duty F-350 King Ranch Crew Cab, you can read about our first experience with the truck earlier this year.

(Editor's note: Official Texas State Photographer, Wyman Meinzer, captured the spirit of Ford's long-standing partnership with the King Ranch in a series of photos of trucks at the Ranch. Those images can be found at: www.wymanmeinzer.com.)

www pickuptrucks.com

F-150 BoxLink

BoxLink™ cargo management system includes lockable, die-cast aluminum tie-down cleats, and provides a unique interface to the box for improved flexibility and organization, as well as additional locations for tie-downs. Available segment-first cargo ramps can be stowed on the sides of the pickup box via the BoxLink system and mounted quickly on the tailgate to enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles or mowers

Tough Service Body Racks by Rack-it

Schedule 10 HD steel pipe and all welded design makes Rack-it Truck Racks strong enough for service and utility bodies, and strong enough to handle the capacity of the F550 and competitive trucks.


For more information, check out our website at http://www.rackitinc.com/, or call us at 800-445-7666.

Chevrolet’s Crash Course on Avoiding Collisions

Advanced technologies can help customers in common crash situations

 

DETROIT – Even the best, most defensive drivers can end up in an unexpected crash. Chevrolet’s 2015 lineup provides key features that help protect drivers and passengers before, during or after a crash, but the focus is on new technologies aimed at helping avoid the crash in the first place. 

According to a 2012 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, more than one in four police-reported vehicle crashes each year are rear-end collisions between a driver and the vehicle they are following, Nearly one in 10 happen during lane changes made at the wrong time.

Chevrolet is using cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensor technology to help drivers avoid these rear-end collisions and blind spot-caused sideswipes, as well as parking lot fender benders and more.

“The best kind of safety protection we can offer are customer-focused features that help drivers avoid the crash altogether, and which are kept turned on for every trip”, said Raymond J. Kiefer, General Motors Active Safety Technical Fellow.

Kiefer and his team developed the patented “Safety Alert Seat” feature to help hearing-impaired drivers and persuade drivers to leave features turned on.

Like a Smart phone, a driver can select vibrating rather than beeping alerts that intuitively “tap” them on the left, right, or both sides of the seat bottom to help direct their attention to a possible crash situation detected by the vehicle sensors. The Safety Alert Seat is available on Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban.

Chevrolet’s crash avoidance technologies are designed to help drivers in many everyday situations, though none substitutes for careful, distraction-free driving, use of seat belts and child seats when appropriate, obeying traffic laws and driving sober and unimpaired.

Here are a few Chevrolet crash avoidance technologies: 

Rear Vision Camera, when backing, displays the scene behind that may be unseen by the driver or in mirrors.  Uses a rear camera. Available across the Chevrolet lineup. 

Rear Cross Traffic Alert lets you know if a car is approaching from the side when backing, such as when parked between two large vehicles. Uses two rear corner radars. Available on 2015 Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban.

Side Blind Zone Alert, alerts the driver if a vehicle is in the left or right side blind spot – before a possible lane change. Uses two rear corner radars. Available on Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban.

Forward Collision Alert, may “see” a crash situation before you do, and can alert when a driver when a crash into a vehicle you are following is imminent. Uses front camera and/or radar. Available on 2015 Volt, Malibu, Impala, Equinox, SS, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban.

Other Chevrolet crash-avoidance features include Front Automatic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning.

Front Automatic Braking automatically applies the brake when the system may see a crash situation ahead before you do, and can be thought of us a “backup” or “Plan B” if you do not respond quickly to Forward Collision Alert warnings, or if a rear-end crash situation quickly unfolds. At lower speeds, the feature may even help avoid the crash, while at higher speeds, it can reduce crash severity and injury. Uses front radar.

Adaptive Cruise Control works like regular cruise control until you are following a vehicle ahead, when it automatically accelerates and brakes (up to moderate levels) to help follow at a driver-selected cruise speed and following gap while you steer and pay attention to the road. Uses front radar.

Lane Departure Warning can alert a driver who drifts out of detected lane lines unintentionally or without a turn signal, when traveling faster than 35 MPH, which can sometimes happen to distracted or tired drivers. Uses front camera.

The focus on driver and passenger safety is a pillar of the Chevrolet. Examples of safety leadership include:

• Chevrolet has more vehicles with a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the federal government than Toyota or Ford. Models include Sonic, Volt, Camaro Coupe, Malibu, Impala, Traverse and the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab).
• The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu received Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2014 Top Safety Pick + ratings – the highest conferred – on models with available forward collision alert. Equinox and its GMC sibling, the Terrain, were the only compact SUVs of nine tested to earn this rating.
• The 2014 Spark is the only mini car named an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Rack-it Aluminum Truck Rack Features Lighter Weight Construction

Gary Kank, Sales Manager of Rack-it Truck Racks gives an impromptu presentation of the Rack-it Aluminum Truck Rack to Terry Minion of Commercial Truck Success.

Aluminum racks are gaining in popularity to save weight and increase payloads and also for their corrosion resistance. The Aluminum version is the same design as the famous Rack-it Steel Truck Racks.

Contact Rack-it at 800-445-7666 and visit their website at www.rackitinc.com

Tricked-Out All-New F-150 Pickups Seek 'Hottest Truck' Award at SEMA Show

•     Ford F-Series trucks – specifically, the all-new 2015 F-150 – will vie for a fifth consecutive “Hottest Truck” award this November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show
•     Ford collaborated with SEMA builders to help produce the radical F-150 trucks that will be displayed at the annual Las Vegas tradeshow
•     Shedding up to 700 pounds from the 2014 model, the 2015 F-150 is the smartest, toughest, most capable F-150 ever

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 17, 2014 – From off-road prowess to street performance, custom versions of the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 – the smartest, toughest, most capable F-150 ever – will vie this November for the “Hottest Truck” award at the Specialty Equipment Market Association tradeshow in Las Vegas.

The SEMA award, won by Ford F-Series trucks for four years running, recognizes the most popular vehicles the organization’s members feature in their displays at the weeklong event.

Custom versions of the all-new F-150 will be displayed on the SEMA floor. They include:

The Deegan 38 project built a personal connection between Ford Racing’s Brian Deegan and the all-new F-150 with the 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost® engine. Industry leaders including Addictive Desert Designs, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, FOX Racing Shox, KC Hilites, Mastercraft Safety, Rockford Fosgate, Full-Race Motorsports, Leading Edge Tuning, ProEFI and SCT Performance joined forces to provide extreme motorsport enthusiasts with the ultimate example of the world’s most capable truck.

“This F-150 should inspire the vast off-road, extreme-lifestyle-loving fan base to push the possibilities of the kick-ass new 2015 F-150 and the awesome 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine,” said

Boasting 12 inches of King shock-controlled travel via a Kibbetech custom suspension, this 2015 F-150 purpose-built by Formula DRIFT superstar Vaughn Gittin Jr. is designed to take full advantage of the weight savings and serious torque offered by the all-new F-150. With its unique, aggressive looks and Air Lift Performance air ride, this street truck aims to turn heads and elicit huge smiles, while providing massive amounts of fun and adrenaline for up to five passengers who strap into its Recaro seats.

“I love trucks, and to build one that has daily on- and off-road capabilities, as well as drifting and jumping capabilities is something I have always wanted to do,” said Gittin. “I am really pumped to get crazy in this F-150 at SEMA this year.”
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.

All-New Ford F-150 Earns Truck of Texas Title at TAWA Texas Truck Rodeo; Ford Honored with Five Additional Awards

•     The 2015 Ford F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, is named Truck of Texas, the most prestigious award presented by the Texas Auto Writers Association at its annual Truck Rodeo
•     All-new 2015 Ford Transit awarded Commercial Vehicle of Texas
•     In the heart of the country’s largest truck market, Ford Motor Company also ropes in Truck Line of Texas, in recognition of the breadth, features, capability and durability of America’s best-selling truck lineup

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 13, 2014 – Ford trucks earned top honors at the 2014 Texas Auto Writers Association Truck Rodeo, with the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 being named Truck of Texas – the most prestigious award.

 “TAWA members represent the voice of truck buyers in Texas, America’s largest truck market,” said Mike Marrs, president of TAWA. “After exhaustively testing 75 vehicles from 18 brands, the all-new Ford F-150 is our clear choice for Truck of Texas.”

Including this win, 9 of the last twelve Truck of Texas honorees have been Ford F-Series Trucks.

In designing the backbone of the all-new F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, Ford engineers improved its signature, fully boxed ladder frame. The frame is all-new, with more high-strength steel than ever – making it stronger and lighter. High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy – already in use in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and other rugged industries – is used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance while saving up to 700 pounds of weight.

The new F-150 is the most fuel-efficient F-150 ever, thanks to the dramatic improvements in weight and advanced engine technology. Every model, every engine and every customer benefits from this weight savings. This means the 2015 F-150 can tow up to 1,100 more pounds, haul up to 530 more pounds and will have better fuel economy ratings than the current F-150 lineup, projected to be in the range of at least 5 percent and as much as 20 percent higher than current models, depending on the model. (EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are not yet available and will likely be announced in November.)

“TAWA members are among the first to experience the all-new F-150’s breakthrough innovations and best-in-class capabilities, features that will help our hardworking customers improve their productivity,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “It is an honor to again be named Truck of Texas. We are committed to continuously improving America’s favorite trucks.”

Evaluations at TAWA Truck Rodeo are just the latest testing the all-new F-150 has undergone. When it arrives in showrooms later this year, the 2015 F-150 will have endured the equivalent of more than 10 million miles of torture testing to ensure it meets or exceeds Built Ford Tough standards.

 In addition to an all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost® engine, the new F-150 offers customers a complete lineup of powertrains to allow them to tailor the truck to best meet their needs. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine returns, an all-new normally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 debuts and there is an improved 5.0-liter V8.

 F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup. Now in its 66th year, F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 37 consecutive years and the best-selling vehicle in America for 32 consecutive years.

Also taking home TAWA honors is the 2015 Ford Transit, named Commercial Vehicle of Texas.

The all-new Transit replaces America’s best-selling van for 35 years, Ford E-Series. Transit offers a maximum cargo capacity of up to 487 cubic feet – 75 percent more than the largest E-Series. When equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, the van delivers as much as 46 percent better fuel efficiency than E-Series with the 6.8-liter V10 premium engine, along with more payload. Transit equipped with the standard 3.7-liter V6 has up to 19 percent better fuel efficiency than E-Series with its standard 4.6-liter V8 engine.

“Transit delivers it all – better fuel economy, more capability, the largest number of technology choices, and the most innovative and diversified offering of configurations in a full-size van,” said Hinrichs. “We’re honored TAWA members also have recognized Transit as a game changer for our hardworking commercial vehicle customers.

” Here’s the full list of Ford vehicles winning top honors in their categories at TAWA Truck Rodeo:

•     Truck of Texas: 2015 Ford F-150
•     Truck Line of Texas: Ford Motor Company
•     Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas: 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum
•     Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas: 2015 Ford F-150 King Ranch
•     Commercial Vehicle of Texas: 2015 Ford Transit
•     Best Technology Feature: 2015 Ford F-150 high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy

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.

The Truck Works - A New Rack-it Dealer in Bend, OR

The Truck & Van Equipment Specialist

•     Quality Installation
•     Custom Fabrication
•     Sales and Service

Please take a look at our Product Line. If you don’t see the specific item you need, don’t hesitate to call. Our motto is: “If we cannot provide you service, we surely can recommend someone who can!”

Central Oregon’s Largest Location for Hard-Working Trucks and Light Truck Accessories
We have what you need!

•     Service, Sales, Parts and Installation
•     With over 80 years of combined knowledge and experience, our dedicated staff is ready to provide answers and premium advice.
•     We are dedicated to maintaining long-term relationships with our customers -- with individual attention to your specific needs.

•     Huge Product Line and Competitive Pricing
•     Need to Customize? We will Fabricate it!!
•     Need Parts and Accessories for that truck -- new, old, small or big?
•     Need Service Bodies, Cranes or Van Equipment?
•     Need Flatbeds, Dump Beds, Canopies, Rack-it Pickup Racks, Tarp Systems, Hoist Systems, Lift Axles or Lift Gates?

    Need Winches, Snow Plows, Bumpers, Pumps, Cylinders, or just something to make that truck go faster with economics in mind?

The Truck Works
Bend Steel Supply (same location)
20698 Brinson Blvd.
Bend, OR 97701
Office: (541) 383-3113
Fax: (541) 383-9073
Email: sales@thetruckworks.com

HOURS
Monday-Friday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

The Rack-It Forklift Loadable Truck Rack

Gary Kank, Sales Manager for Rack-it Truck Racks shows us the differences in a forklift loadable truck. Many contractors prefer the forklift loadable rack so they can have forklifts load material directly on the rack rather than hand loading. Sure saves the back!

MotorWeek | First Look: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon

Greg Carloss found a nice bit of terra firma to get a First Look at the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. See more at www.motorweek.org

2015 Ford F-150 Pete Reyes Interview

An interview with Ford Chief Engineer Pete Reyes on the 2015 Ford F-150 

PickupTrucks.com 2015 Ford F-150 Test Drive

Mark Williams, of PickupTrucks.com, takes a first drive of the 2015 Ford F-150. www.pickuptrucks.com

2015 GMC Canyon: Top 5 Hits and Misses

The new 2015 GMC Canyon seems to offer quite a bit of value for what it costs, but this is by no means the perfect midsize pickup truck. We're guessing there will be a great deal of sales numbers watching, which will determine if GM can invest in more options, variations and even some special editions. But for that to happen, the three-truck strategy will have to bear fruit relatively quickly. We're guessing that the Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado will inject some much needed energy into the segment, but it will take some time. For now, here are our favorite and not-so-favorite details on the new Canyon.

Hits

1.     Overall look of the truck echoes the Sierra 1500
2.     All Terrain-exclusive AutoTrac is great 4x4 tech
3.     Available rear-seat delete in extended cab for more rear storage
4.     Available 4G LTE multiple hotspots for mobile internet access
5.     GMC exclusive logo with spray-in bedliner

Misses

1.     No optional axle gear choices for either engine
2.     Extended cab doors only open 90 degrees
3.     Why wouldn't it be a simple trans software program to include a Sport mode?
4.     No larger side-view mirror option for better towing/bed visibility
5.     Why not offer a 140-inch wheelbase extended cab with ultra-long bed?

pickuptrucks.com
Cars.com image by Evan Sears

The Basic 1/2-Ton Work Truck

I was walking the dog and found four or five brand new Ford F-150 Super Cab Long Bed 1/2-Ton Work Pickups. This is a very popular unit and is adorned with a Rack-it material rack and a black diamond plate Weather Guard Cross-Bed Tool Box. Inexpensive, efficient, and comfortable all at the same time, and add to that, it gets the job done. These units were locally purchased at Ron DuPratt Ford in Dixon and upfitted by Sierra Truck & Van in Cordelia CA. 

http://www.ctsblog.net/