Opinions on trucks

[canoetrpr]

dodge_man - to be honest, I don't think that cars in this part of the world will get smaller as long as the price of gas does not get substantially more expensive - I mean 2 to 3x what it is right now.

The distances we drive are too big, many of us have legitimate uses for a truck as well.

I think they will become much more fuel efficient over time and I am hoping that some reasonable alternative energy sources will be developed.

I have always hoped that diesel will come in in a big way in all kinds of vehicles - providing much better MPG. I'd love to see some high quality diesels in the next decade in 1/2 ton pick ups. I'd love to get 25 MPG on diesel in my 1/2 ton. That will do much more for the environment than trying to convince me and the next guy driving a 1/2 ton that we should drive a smaller vehicle instead.

I hate to say this, but I think the only thing that will drive the kind of innovation we need to get fuel efficiency to 25 and 35 MPG in a 1/2 ton pick up is a price of gasoline that is substantially higher than what it is today. Not suggesting that is what I want - just that the market will innovate when it becomes necessary to do so.

 

[dodge man]

You must not have been watching the news lately. Unless things turn out different than I anticipate, we won't have a choice. They are passing new fuel economy and emissions standards. I think the requirement will be 35mpg for cars and 30mpg for light trucks. Thats the average. So if you buy a car that gets 25mpg, they have to sell another one that gets 45mpg to offset it.

Tell me what kind of trucks we will have that average 30mpg? They are also kicking around numbers of $1600-$1800 per unit in increased cost.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Canoetrpr, I saw a new F150 just like yours broke down at the side of the highway with the hood up. Must have been a blown seal.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

I like BIG!!

Wait 'til you see them Italian birds...

 

[Builder]

dodge_man - to be honest, I don't think that cars in this part of the world will get smaller as long as the price of gas does not get substantially more expensive - I mean 2 to 3x what it is right now.

The distances we drive are too big, many of us have legitimate uses for a truck as well.

I think they will become much more fuel efficient over time and I am hoping that some reasonable alternative energy sources will be developed.

I have always hoped that diesel will come in in a big way in all kinds of vehicles - providing much better MPG. I'd love to see some high quality diesels in the next decade in 1/2 ton pick ups. I'd love to get 25 MPG on diesel in my 1/2 ton. That will do much more for the environment than trying to convince me and the next guy driving a 1/2 ton that we should drive a smaller vehicle instead.

I hate to say this, but I think the only thing that will drive the kind of innovation we need to get fuel efficiency to 25 and 35 MPG in a 1/2 ton pick up is a price of gasoline that is substantially higher than what it is today. Not suggesting that is what I want - just that the market will innovate when it becomes necessary to do so.

Whew, BOY! I could argue that point, but then politics would get involved. We've got more oil than we know what to do with.

I don't know how trucks could get smaller when we still build with 4x8 sheet goods.

Maybe the answer is taking big trucks away from people who don't really need them? Lots of them are used as macho toys, right? But that would be an infringement on our freedoms.

Trucks of the future will have a smaller diesel engine powering a decent sized generator with a motor attached to each wheel. Just like a locomotive. The engine will simply power the generator/batteries. The generator will make electric power for the motors.

 

[mwb]

Ssssooooo...
After all that, which truck is better?





I like my old '94 F250 7.3, no reason to get a newer one.

 

[canoetrpr]

Canoetrpr, I saw a new F150 just like yours broke down at the side of the highway with the hood up. Must have been a blown seal.

LOL! that was a good one.

 

[canoetrpr]

Trucks of the future will have a smaller diesel engine powering a decent sized generator with a motor attached to each wheel. Just like a locomotive. The engine will simply power the generator/batteries. The generator will make electric power for the motors.

I think that is a pretty good vision. I am told that Canadian National rail can move 1 ton of cargo for something insane like 400+ km on a single gallon of diesel.

Now of course it helps that you have one locomotive pulling all those cars, but generally I think MUCH better fuel economy is possible than what we are getting today.

 

[LBrown59]

I like BIG!!

I don't see anything to like about it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I don't see anything to like about it.

You keep saying this. Us guys that tow loads in excess of 7,000# and some of us are in the 15,000# catagory need big trucks. I have a small vehicle also and it does its intended purpose. That is what my trucks do also, what they were built for.

Chris

 

[LBrown59]

It depends what your needs are. If you need power to tow, maybe not too big. Maybe not big enough.

I've got a '95 Chevy 1500 5.7L. I went to CA last month, This time towing a 2-horse slant trailer. Going North 35, through the Metroplex, went up 287 to Amarillo, out 40 West through New Mexico (through Albuequerque), Arizona (through Flagstaff-near Grand Canyon), CA High Desert/Mountains (Barstow, 58 to Tehachapi), 46 to the Central Coast.

My truck did fine. Had to put it in 3rd (45mph) up those grades. But of course, all those 2500's, 250's and up that were towing, passed me on those grades with ease.

1*I Need A Bigger Truck!

Saw this beautiful Chevy Kodiak pass me up with big horse trailer, West of Needles, CA. That's my dream truck!

1*I have Nissan and Toyota Pick Ups.
I don't need them any Bigger.
I just want them to be able to tow my BX23 on a trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

1*I have Nissan and Toyota Pick Ups.
I don't need them any Bigger.
I just want them to be able to tow my BX23 on a trailer.

Then you need a bigger truck. Stop complaning.

Chris

 

[LBrown59]

It depends what your needs are. If you need power to tow, maybe not too big. Maybe not big enough.

I've got a '95 Chevy 1500 5.7L. I went to CA last month, This time towing a 2-horse slant trailer. Going North 35, through the Metroplex, went up 287 to Amarillo, out 40 West through New Mexico (through Albuequerque), Arizona (through Flagstaff-near Grand Canyon), CA High Desert/Mountains (Barstow, 58 to Tehachapi), 46 to the Central Coast.

My truck did fine. Had to put it in 3rd (45mph) up those grades. But of course, all those 2500's, 250's and up that were towing, passed me on those grades with ease.

I Need A Bigger Truck!

Saw this beautiful Chevy Kodiak pass me up with big horse trailer, West of Needles, CA. That's my dream truck!

You keep saying this. Us guys that tow loads in excess of 7,000# and some of us are in the 15,000# catagory need big trucks. I have a small vehicle also and it does its intended purpose.
*That is what my trucks do also, what they were built for.

Chris

*I guess what I'm asking is why can't they be built a little smaller in the process. ?

 

[WilliamBos]

You keep saying this. Us guys that tow loads in excess of 7,000# and some of us are in the 15,000# catagory need big trucks. That is what my trucks do also, what they were built for.

Chris

I second that!! A truck is a truck, and should not be confused with anything else. They are built with a purpose in mind - Hauling!!

 

[Altex]

*I guess what I'm asking is why can't they be built a little smaller in the process. ?

Smaller? They already build Smaller trucks. And if it fits your needs then great.

But, on my trip from TX to CA with a 2 horse slant trailer, it took me 3 days to get there, 45MPH on the grades. Without the trailer and a load in he bed, it's usually only 2 days.

So do you think I should get a small Nissan truck to tow a trailer? Maybe it can make it up the grades 20MPH, and take 6 days to get there? How's that saving any money or gas?

Smaller is not the issue. Efficiency is: effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in energy, time, and money).

 

[patrick_g]

Up here in Canada, we have trucks that run on baby seals. I put a pile of them in my bed and then club them as necessary. Fuel efficiency is measured in MPS - miles per seal.

Outstanding! Can I get a modification to allow me to use orphaned pets? Townies dump a lot of unwanted pets out here in the country. If there is an insufficient supply of dumped pets I can stop off at the animal shelter. Also, is there an available accessory for clubbing the fuel (Auto Clubber?" so I don't risk breaking a nail, mussing my hair, or soiling my clothes?

Pat

 

[LarryRB]

As we were talking what is best for our needs or what isn't by matter of opinion, I thought I would post here a major down grade for me.,.. For many, many years of 1 ton Dodge diesels I went backwards to a brand new hemi gas powered half ton, and, I didn't stop there,, A kubota L48 TLB was sold off and a brand new Case 45Hp cab tractor was obtained the same day,, last Friday...

 

[Duffster]

As we were talking what is best for our needs or what isn't by matter of opinion, I thought I would post here a major down grade for me.,.. For many, many years of 1 ton Dodge diesels I went backwards to a brand new hemi gas powered half ton, and, I didn't stop there,, A kubota L48 TLB was sold off and a brand new Case 45Hp cab tractor was obtained the same day,, last Friday...

Do you consider the Case a down grade?