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Old 01-03-2011, 08:47 AM   #90 (permalink)
slowmover
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442

2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 19.36 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by instarx View Post
Used to frequent a diesel truck forum when I had one, and I can tell you that the "truck guys" are very interested in fuel economy. The main reason no one buys 30 mpg full-sized trucks is because no one makes one, not because "they don't want one".
They want one IF they can still have a 6" lift, giant open tread tires, 300 extra HP via aftermarket tuning, and not change a single driving habit.

The CTD forums each have a sub-forum on "Performance", but none on economy. (Performance in this instance meaning increased engine power, and economy narrowly defined as lower operating cost per mile). I have yet to see a thread featuring a "performance build" that was for economy . . much less investigating aero add-ons. Questions about axle ratios are semi-popular, but in a truck numerical reductions work against overall utility.

Those who are concerned about economy, I notice, tend to be the ones who actually use the truck for work; that is, the vehicle is engaged in long distance commercial service or as a full-time local contractor. In which case "stock" is king, overall. (There are some threads involving car haulers and others, but the desire tends to be increasing mpg at 70 mph).

Not surprisingly, the latter group tends to be a good deal older than the former.

The interest in FE spikes when fuel prices rise, which shows that the purchase of a truck had nothing to do with need.

The best question about want versus need is to confront them with how many annual miles driven are IRS deductible.

It may be different on the Powerjoke and Maxi-pad forums, in which case some links to those threads would be appreciated (perhaps as a thread starter: we could reference diesel pickup economy threads of merit; or owners showing good results from records. Cold climate, 4WD, DRW, auto trans . . . there can be quite a few differences in truck spec, climate & topography which have significant effect, so those threads may not always be easily comparable).

The number of 3/4 and 1-T pickups is small -- especially diesel -- in comparison to the half-ton market. But the ones who need them (farmers, ranchers, contractors, commercial fleets, full-time RV'ers) also tend to trade them pretty quickly (5-7 years) when in fact these trucks will travel quite a bit farther in time & distance . . that would be a more fruitful direction to take for many/most owners: what does it take to complete 350k and 15-yrs reliably & economically?)

For anyone interested there is still discussion online about a generation of smaller diesel engines for half-ton pickups. CUMMINS had a V8 in the works for the small Ram: around 300 HP and 500 TQ. Mid-twenties estimated. GM also had a smaller engine being discussed. While the half-ton platform is limited in towing and payload, it would still fit an enormous number of users better than the current giants.

The best discussions at present are about the FORD Eco-Boost turbo V6 on the RV boards where it appears it may be a gasoline engine to compete with diesels for power and economy. (I haven't seen the Ford specific boards).

That engine, coupled to a lighter, more capable 3/4 or 1-T truck would be impressive, to say the least. The FORD Expedition -- with fully independent suspension -- would make one awesome family tow vehicle with that motor and the addition of AWD.

(And for the cracks about tent camping and such, let go the ignorance of upwards of one million Americans now using RV's to live in full time. By no means are they all retired. Losing one's house, or the need to move for economic reasons -- to remain mobile -- is a new feaure of our national life that will but increase. That ignorance may also extend to the fact that a few years ago 2/3'ds of graduating college seniors moved home . . a number that is up to 85% now. An extended family may very well have, and need the use of a big vehicle to transport themselves, their "home" and to best utilize capital in ONE traditional vehicle over several. In the meantime I would recommend a 7.3L circa 2000 FORD E-series van to be the prime mover of home & family).

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Last edited by slowmover; 01-03-2011 at 09:31 AM..
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