Pickup Trucks: 2016 Preview

Ford reports that their F-Series Super Duty is Canada’s best-selling heavy-duty pickup truck. For 2016, the F-350 and F-450 Super Duty deliver maximum fifth wheel/gooseneck towing capacities of up to 26,500 pounds (12,020 kg) and 31,200 pounds (14,152 kg), respectively, and gross combined weight ratings of up to 35,000 pounds (15,876 kg) and 40,400 pounds (18,325 kg), respectively.

Along with the Ford-designed and -built 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel with 440 hp and 860 lb.-ft. of torque, the Super Duty trucks are available with a 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces 385 hp along with 405 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are paired with Ford’s 6R140 TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with standard tow-haul mode for improved capability and efficiency while towing.

Tow/haul mode and engine exhaust braking combined increase control and reduce downhill brake wear when carrying a heavy load. They are activated with the push of a button.

When going uphill, tow/haul mode holds the proper gear to help maintain optimum power and reduce gear hunting. On a downhill, tow/haul mode inhibits upshifting to help keep the vehicle from gaining speed. Tow/ haul mode is available on gas and diesel engines with TorqShift SelectShift 6-speed transmission.

Driver-activated diesel engine-exhaust braking function restricts exhaust flow to create back pressure for engine-braking while going downhill.

Ford also offers voice-activated SYNC as an option that lets you use your voice to make a call, listen to music, select apps and much more, while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. 

The new 2.8-litre Duramax turbo-diesel is offered on GMC’s 2016 Canyon SLE and SLT Crew Cab models. The engine features a variable-geometry turbocharger for optimal power and efficiency across the rpm band and a balance shaft for greater smoothness. Power is SAE-certified at 181 hp (135 kW) at 3,400 rpm and 369 lb.-ft. of torque (500 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. A broad torque band makes it very powerful at low rpm while the turbocharged performance provides a confident feeling of immediate and smooth horsepower on demand. This is the cleanest diesel truck engine ever produced by GM, the company states, due in part to a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.

“A diesel engine was part of the Canyon’s portfolio plan from the beginning, meaning the chassis, suspension and other elements of its architecture were engineered to support it,” said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer. “That means there are no compromises with the Canyon diesel. It offers exceptional capability delivered with a confident feeling of control.”

All diesel-equipped models feature the Trailering package, which includes a hitch receiver and seven-pin connector, as well as the segment-exclusive automatic locking rear differential, a 3.42 rear axle ratio and four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife brake rotors. Maximum trailer rating is 3,447 kilograms for 4WD models.

Like the full-size Sierra’s frame, Canyon features three sections – or bays – with specific strength and support characteristics, including a front bay made of hydroformed side rails and an integrated four-point front axle mounting system designed to reduce vibration.

The Canyon’s integrated, driver-selectable exhaust brake system is based on the system introduced on the 2015 Sierra HD models and uses the compression power of the 2.8L Duramax engine to improve vehicle control and reduce brake pad wear.

When the exhaust brake is engaged in cruise mode, exhaust cruise grade braking helps the cruise control system maintain the desired downhill vehicle speed, keeping the driver from having to apply the brakes and exit cruise control to maintain speed.

When the exhaust brake is engaged in non-cruise mode, the transmission and the exhaust brake deliver the correct amount of braking to assist in vehicle control, regardless of vehicle load. It is a smart system that varies the amount of braking needed for the vehicle, load and grade. The engagement of the system is smooth and quiet, while its performance enhances the driver’s feeling of control.

The Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber (CPVA) in the torque converter is designed to control vibration and noise. It is an absorbing damper with a set of secondary spring masses, that – when energized – cancels out the engine’s torsional vibrations so the driver and passengers can’t feel them.

In its unique design, the spring masses vibrate in the opposite direction of the torsional vibrations of the engine, balancing out undesirable torsional vibrations. Its use in the Canyon marks the first application of a CPVA in GM vehicles and its first use in the midsize truck segment. 

Ram Engineering and Cummins developed a new fuel delivery and turbo boost calibration for the 6.7-litre I-6 diesel that produces an additional 35 lb.-ft. of torque to achieve 900 lb.-ft. of torque, a number never achieved in a mass-produced vehicle.

The Ram 3500 has raised its towing capacity to 14,157 kg (31,210 pounds), which the company says is more than two tonnes higher than its closest rival. To handle the increased towing capacity, Ram engineers beefed up the rear axle ring gear hardware from 12 to 16 bolts on all trucks equipped with the 11.8-inch axle. The additional hardened bolts and stronger material are used in the differential case to assure longterm durability.

The Ram 2500 has an 8,156-kg (17,980-pound) towing capacity. The highest payload available in a pickup, Ram reports, is 3,352 kg (7,390 pounds) for the 6.4-litre-equipped Ram 3500 model. Ram is the only automaker to back its entire Light Duty and Heavy Duty pickup truck line and towing claims with the SAE J2807 testing criteria.

Powertrain warranty is five years/100,000 kilometres on gas and EcoDiesel engines and five years/160,000 kilometres on Cummins diesel engines.

Nissan expects that their 2016 Titan XD will shake up the highly competitive full-size pickup segment when it goes on sale in the United States and Canada beginning in late 2015. It has a bold, all-new design that stakes out a unique position between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries.

Nissan Titan XD models utilize a unique frame and chassis to handle its Cummins diesel and its expanded towing and payload potential. Starting with a durable, proven chassis design from Nissan Commercial Vehicles, the new fully boxed, full-length ladder frame is extensively reinforced and strengthened for use with the Titan XD with added stiffness, vertical and lateral bending, and torsional rigidity. It also features an extended 151.6-inch wheelbase – about 20 inches longer than non-XD Titan models.

The Titan XD Cummins diesel is the first commercial application of the new Cummins M2 two-stage turbo system, which helps reduce traditional turbo-lag through precision balancing between high-pressure and low-pressure turbos. The patented Rotary Turbine Control provides solid performance across the powerband and manages exhaust gas temperatures.

The new engine also features a Bosch HPCR fuel system to deliver precise fuel control and multiple injections per combustion stroke, which helps increase efficiency and reduce traditional ‘diesel clatter’.

And, the advanced, maintenance-free Bosch ceramic glow plugs provide quick engine starts, even in extreme low temperatures.

Weight was reduced by building the cylinder block out of compacted graphite iron (CGI), which is stronger and lighter than traditional iron.

Titan will also be offered with V8 and V6 gasoline engines.

Off-road performance has also been emphasized, with features such as Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and Brake Limited-Slip Differential (BLSD).

Titan XD has a maximum payload of more than 2,000 pounds and a maximum towing rating of more than 12,000 pounds. when properly equipped. Among the list of new available towing aids are an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hookup operation – checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights from inside the Titan cab.

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado’s Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss are special editions that will roll into Chevrolet dealerships this fall.

“The Colorado is one of the hottest selling trucks in the country and these aggressive editions demonstrate the personalization that customers are looking for, whether for the street, trail or both,” said Joe De Stefano, Chevrolet truck marketing manager for Canada.

The Colorado Midnight Edition is available on LT models with the extended and crew cab bodies, in 2WD or 4WD, and with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines. It will also be available with the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbodiesel engine.

The 2016 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss builds on Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road truck suspension package with more aggressive tires. It is available on Z71 models with the extended and crew cab bodies, and in 2WD or 4WD. Like the Midnight Edition, it will also be available with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines, as well as the 2.8L Duramax diesel. 

The full-size 2016 Toyota Tundra offers power and plenty of towing capacity for a range of uses.

“Tundra offers Canadian truck fans impressive towing capability plus a choice of engine sizes, drivetrains, cab sizes and bed lengths – all generously equipped for performance, comfort and safety,” said Larry Hutchinson, Vice President of Toyota Canada Inc.

Power comes from either a 5.7L i-FORCE V8 with 381 hp and up to 401 lb.-ft. of torque, or a 4.6L i-FORCE V8 for improved fuel efficiency while still producing up to 310 hp and 327 lb.-ft. of torque. Models with the 5.7L i-FORCE V8 engine are standard equipped with a Tow Package, which for 2016 includes an added trailer brake controller and 144L fuel tank.

The Tow Package also includes a heavy-duty tow hitch receiver, 4+7 pin connectors, supplemental transmission cooler and a transmission fluid temperature gauge. All Tundra models feature a six-speed Super ECT transmission with Sequential Shift Mode for smooth shifts and high efficiency.

The 2016 Toyota Tundra is available in 10 models. Some examples are: Tundra 4x2 Regular Cab SR Long Bed 5.7L, which has a 4,760 kg towing capacity plus the cargo-loading versatility of an 8.1-foot bed.

Tundra 4x4 Regular Cab SR Long Bed 5.7L features a 4,625 kg towing capacity, plus the cargo-loading versatility of an 8.1-foot bed.

Tundra 4x4 Double Cab SR5 Long Bed 5.7L is perfect for big jobs with an 8.1-foot bed, room for six people, a standard rear bench seat with under-seat storage and a 4,445 kg towing capacity.

Tundra 4x4 CrewMax SR5 5.7L has a 5.5-foot bed and 4,445 kg towing capacity, plus room for six, or more cargo space with the rear seats folded up.