While there’s no promise that it’ll go into production, the kit could offer additional payload for those who need it at a lower overall cost
September 22, 2023 at 19:01
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Ford has patented a new and ingenious bolt-on third axle for boosting vehicle payload. This innovative kit also offers the convenience of being removable, potentially resulting in significant cost savings. Furthermore, apart from enhancing payload capacity, this additional rear axle could also serve as a clever means to introduce hybrid capabilities to a pickup truck.
First spotted by the folks over at CarBuzz , US Patent No. 11,752,822 B1 is called a “Bolt On Suspension Kit For Increasing Vehicle Payload.” It clearly defines this kit as removable and as one that can bolt onto an already completed production vehicle. It’s likely that a Ford dealer could install this kit once it’s available for sale. Customers might even have the ability to add it after the fact.
Either way, the drawings depict an inbound suspension, linking this patent to Ford’s Super Duty series of trucks. It would make sense to allow Super Duty buyers to increase payload capacity as needed. Additionally, it could enable Ford to manufacture multiple trucks on the same assembly line and add the six-wheel payload kit only where required.
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Interestingly, Carbuzz believes that it could apply to the F-150 instead. Six-wheeled vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and an F-150 Raptor R with six wheels would no doubt bring a pretty penny. Still, as MotorTrend rightly points out, a Super Duty version is considerably more likely given the drawings and the practicality of such a kit. A second set of rear wheels could also hold electric motors that add a bit of fuel economy to a larger truck.
It’s also worth noting that Ford has a bunch of interesting patents that have no confirmed production capacity at this point. Earlier this year we told you about one such patent that enables a Bronco driver to pilot their SUV while standing. Back in 2019, it patented two-in-one doors that had internal and removable impact bars that could also double as tubular doors.
It’s worth noting that Ford has several interesting patents, although their production status remains unconfirmed. Earlier this year, we reported on a patent that allows Bronco drivers to operate their SUV while standing. In 2019, Ford patented two-in-one doors featuring internal and removable impact bars that can also serve as tubular doors.
We have yet to see either of those innovations get closer to production and we may never see the six-wheel conversion either. Regardless, it’s an interesting idea that certainly has a practical application in the real world.
