AmericaOverland
Explorer
Absolutely…
When we do our durability testing on an unladen vehicle it bounces all over the test track and often off the track (Bosch Proving Grounds in New Carlisle, IN to be exact) but once you add ballest (dead weight) to the load box it settles right down. You can actually watch the Hz frequencies go from a buzz to huge lumpy low digits when ballast is added. It is obvious to me the Ford has had ballest added.
Another durability testing thing that seems backassards is vehicles break less componets when fully laden (at GVWR) than unladen. Seems backwards but the data is there to prove it every time.
It's the inertia of weight. it takes more power or force to move something heavier in the same direction at the same speed.