Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra only pickups to receive rating of ‘good’ in roof strength test
The IIHS said today that the only large pickups to earn the top rating of good in the organization’s roof strength evaluation for rollover crashes are Ford’s F-150 and Toyota’s Tundra full-size pickups. Competitors Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Dodge Ram are rated marginal.
“The F-150 and Tundra also earn the Institute’s 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK award after earning top ratings in previous front, side, and rear evaluations, and for having electronic stability control, which is standard in both pickups,” the IIHS said.
The Ford F-150 withstood a force equal to 4.7 times the vehicles weight while the Toyota Tundra’s roof withstood a force 4.5 times its weight.
To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle’s roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle’s weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio.
– By: Omar Rana
