Quote:
Originally Posted by darcane
Heavily modding the trailer seems like cheating to me. Unless the truck is always going to be paired to that trailer, you won't be getting that benefit.
I wonder what it gets for mileage with a conventional box trailer. That's far more "real world" in my book.
Also, how much cost is added to build a truck like this?
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I can't address the 'pairing' issue,but active suspension ought to be in the future.
*The rig doesn't need ground clearance when she's on the highway.
*Frontal area is reduced,that's good.
*The center of gravity is lowered,reducing rollover tendency.
*Splash and spray will be severely reduced,a great safety advantage to all motorists operating near the rig in foul weather.
*If they're forced into a jack knife by Barbie and Ken,there'll be less tendency to go over a side rail on overpasses.
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I would expect a price premium (as we do today with hybrids),as this is all about business,but payments may stay similar,but with longer payouts.
With economies of scale,the rigs will be valued by the pound,just as today.
With industry-wide adoption,and rationalization of hardware,as soon as the cost of the original R&D and tooling is amortised,the costs (prices) of components will fall markedly.