Slate pickup sighting in downtown Warsaw, IN! (w/ frunk, bed, charging port closeup)

[SichuanHot]

Opinions are fine. Facts are better.

I own an F150 Lightning Lariat and it’s tow rating 10k not 7.7k. The Platinum trimmed version is 7.7k.

It's not an opinion. The base model Lightning SXT is rated for only 5000 lbs, 7700 lbs only with the Max Trailer Tow package which is an additional $1100. Only when you step up to the Lightning Flash with the tow package do you get 10000 lbs.

In contrast the Gen 1 Rivian R1T is rated for 11000 lbs across all models. It's only with the Gen 2 Rivians has the gap closed since they downgraded the tow rating to 7700 with their base model.

 

[evtruth]

It's not an opinion. The base model Lightning SXT is rated for only 5000 lbs, 7700 lbs only with the Max Trailer Tow package which is an additional $1100. Only when you step up to the Lightning Flash with the tow package do you get 10000 lbs.

In contrast the Gen 1 Rivian R1T is rated for 11000 lbs across all models. It's only with the Gen 2 Rivians has the gap closed since they downgraded the tow rating to 7700 with their base model.

To be fair:

- The Flash is (one of) their best selling trims because it has the ER battery
- The Rivian isn't necessarily an apples to apples comparison when you can get a Lightning Flash for about $20K less than Rivian's cheapest R1T Dual

 

[cvollers]

To be fair:

- The Flash is (one of) their best selling trims because it has the ER battery
- The Rivian isn't necessarily an apples to apples comparison when you can get a Lightning Flash for about $20K less than Rivian's cheapest R1T Dual

I think the Lightning is a great truck. If going full size, that's the one to get and it sounds like the Flash is the Lightning trim to get. Personally, I don't want or need full size nor do I want to spend that kind of money.

 

[evtruth]

I think the Lightning is a great truck. If going full size, that's the one to get and it sounds like the Flash is the Lightning trim to get. Personally, I don't want or need full size nor do I want to spend that kind of money.

I really liked the Lightning when I test drove it, but liked the Silverado EV's software (Android Automotive - different than Android Auto) better so I picked up a Silverado EV for towing. It has just over 400 miles of range, so should get me a little over 200 miles (about 3 hours) of towing a camper. My Tesla, on roadtrips, gets me about 2 hours of driving between charges. This last road trip I took a gas pickup truck and still stopped about every 2-3 hours with the wife and kids, so really for us the Silverado EV will be perfect for towing and the Tesla is just fine as well. What's nice is the Silverado EV has SOOOO much room.

If Ford had switched to Android Automotive for 2025 like they had said they would, they may have gotten a sale from me, but maybe not because towing range was my #1 concern.

 

[SichuanHot]

To be fair:

- The Flash is (one of) their best selling trims because it has the ER battery
- The Rivian isn't necessarily an apples to apples comparison when you can get a Lightning Flash for about $20K less than Rivian's cheapest R1T Dual

That's fair. I'm just extremely biased against Ford. The recent Lightning recall with the falling control arm nut doesn't help their image or reputation either...

 

[cvollers]

That's fair. I'm just extremely biased against Ford. The recent Lightning recall with the falling control arm nut doesn't help their image or reputation either...

So I went on ChatGPT to check. There have been four Lightning recalls including the control arm nut issue (29.5K affected). Other three are: ESC software issue (all units), battery fire risk (1K affected), and rear light bare malfunction (16K affected).

Rivian also has had four recalls: 1) headlight control module failure (R1T/S, 17.3K affected), 2) improperly tightened steering fastener (all models, 12.2K affected), 3) passenger seatbelt sensor malfunction (R1T/S, 12.7K affected), and 4) passenger airbag deactivation issue (R1T, 502 affected).

In 2024, Ford sold 33.5K Lightnings in the U.S., up 39% over 2023. Rivian sold 51.6K combined R1T/R1S (58% R1T to 42% R1S) in 2024, up just 3% over 2023. That's 3.5K more trucks for Ford in 2024. If they maintain that growth, it will be 15.7K more trucks in 2025. Now here we have Slate trying to achieve 150K units per year at a price that is about half a base Lightning. Can they do it?

 

[evtruth]

So I went on ChatGPT to check. There have been four Lightning recalls including the control arm nut issue (29.5K affected). Other three are: ESC software issue (all units), battery fire risk (1K affected), and rear light bare malfunction (16K affected).

I mean, my Silverado EV is in the shop after only 1,853 miles... 😂

My Teslas have never been in the shop though, so the best track record for me (all of my recalls have been simple OTA updates) goes to the cars so many people now hate. 😞

 

[cvollers]

I mean, my Silverado EV is in the shop after only 1,853 miles... 😂

My Teslas have never been in the shop though, so the best track record for me (all of my recalls have been simple OTA updates) goes to the cars so many people now hate. 😞

My FJ has only been in the shop once for a defective 4WD actuator switch (a very important part known to fail...). Other than the chief mechanic at my Toyota dealer, no one knew how to fix the issue.

 

[SichuanHot]

So I went on ChatGPT to check. There have been four Lightning recalls including the control arm nut issue (29.5K affected). Other three are: ESC software issue (all units), battery fire risk (1K affected), and rear light bare malfunction (16K affected).

Rivian also has had four recalls: 1) headlight control module failure (R1T/S, 17.3K affected), 2) improperly tightened steering fastener (all models, 12.2K affected), 3) passenger seatbelt sensor malfunction (R1T/S, 12.7K affected), and 4) passenger airbag deactivation issue (R1T, 502 affected).

In 2024, Ford sold 33.5K Lightnings in the U.S., up 39% over 2023. Rivian sold 51.6K combined R1T/R1S (58% R1T to 42% R1S) in 2024, up just 3% over 2023. That's 3.5K more trucks for Ford in 2024. If they maintain that growth, it will be 15.7K more trucks in 2025. Now here we have Slate trying to achieve 150K units per year at a price that is about half a base Lightning. Can they do it?

Only 4 recalls for a brand new car company vs Ford, which has been in business for over a century is not a good look for Ford no matter how you slice it.

 

[ShakeYourMonkeyMaker]

Wow, the Blank Slate isn't going to win any beauty contests. Reminds me of the Volkswagen Thing.

My mind is changed about wraps and decals now. There's lots of time to come up with something personal.

I actually think it's a good looking truck.

but to be fair, other trucks have gotten SO UGLY, that it might just appear that way in contrast.

for example, when the concept rivian was first publicly show, I thought it was too weird looking, and between it's concept debut, and arrival on the market, it went from too ugly to sell, to the best looking truck available simply by other companies making their grills larger than life and "bold".
I honestly have no idea why the cybertruck gets hate, when the Tundra is out there existing as a visual crime against humanity.