Poor Cash Test Ratings For Small Trucks
Recent crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed poor crashworthiness among small 2008 pickup trucks.
The Institute reports that crashes of small trucks result in the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, even minicars, in part because small trucks are involved in more single vehicle crashes and rollovers than other vehicles.
The Need for Electronic Stability Control :
The Institute encouraged truck manufacturers to make Electronic Stability Control a standard feature.
Pickup trucks light weight and typical stiff suspension makes it more likely to bounce than a car or SUV. If you hit the brakes hard, the weight of the truck is transferred towards the front wheels, making the rear even lighter. And when you swerve to avoid an object, the lighter rear end can make the truck turn sideways, causing a loss of traction at the rear wheels.
Electronic stability control steps in to automatically adjust a truck’s brake pressure and steering response during an emergency, helping keep it upright and on the road. Unfortunately, stability control is standard on only 12-percent of 2008 trucks, and available on only about a third of current models.
ESC is standard on three small 2009 trucks: Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado and GMC Sierra. It’s available on the 2009 Nissan Frontier.
Best and Worst Performers - Small Truck Crash Tests :
* Toyota Tacoma earned the only good rating in side crashes and frontal crashes; its seat/head restraints earned a marginal rating for protection from whiplash in rear-end crashes.
* The Dodge Dakota truck earned a marginal rating in side crash tests and a good rating for frontal crashes.
* The Nissan Frontier earned a marginal rating in side crash tests; no word on frontal tests.
* The Ford Ranger truck earned a marginal rating in side crash tests and a good rating for frontal crashes. The Institute declared the Ranger’s back jump seats unsafe for children. One study shows that kids riding in jump seats are 4 times more likely to be injured in a crash than children riding in the back seats of other vehicles.
* Chevy Colorado truck and GMC Canyon truck were the only trucks to earn the lowest rating, poor, in the Institute’s side impact crash tests. The dummy driver’s head was hit by the moving barrier and the side of the truck allowed more intrusion into the cab than other trucks. The Colorado and Canyon are rated acceptable for protection in frontal crashes.
Standard Side Airbags :
Toyota asked the Institute to test the 2008 Tacoma with its optional side airbags because they’ll be a standard feature in 2009. Airbags are optional on the Dakota, Frontier, Colorado and Canyon, and not available at all on the Ranger.
Information About Performance Ford Trucks
Performance Ford trucks are America’s favorite way to really haul down the road. Ford offers a vast range of performance trucks, from the Ford Ranger, to the best-selling Ford F-150, to the awesome Super Duty range of Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks. People use their trucks for every possible task, so Ford has the widest range of trucks out there.
Everyone wants to make their vehicle reflect their individuality, even though stock Ford Super Duty trucks are hugely impressive vehicles in stock configuration. Super Duty performance Ford trucks have moved from being just beasts on the jobsite to becoming status symbols for weekend warriors who tow their boats on the weekend and active families. A great range of performance-enhancing parts and good looking accessories are available specifically for the big new or used trucks for sale.
Guys (or gals) who want to personalize their performance Ford trucks can tap a huge amount of parts and accessories for their trucks. A chrome brush guard can create the right look for the front of your truck. A Superchips microtuner can boost its engine response and power.
Performance Ford trucks are the standard by which other trucks are judged. When you want to make your truck a personal statement, look online for parts specifically for your truck. A great range of accessories are available so your creation will stand out from the rest.
