Quote:
Originally Posted by ldjessee00
Yes, he is a very knowledgeable with lots of experience.
What I found most shocking and was totally new information was the huge difference weight makes in being injured in an accident.
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Yes. And, No. It matters what type accident. Pickups are rollover prone. A function of design. While rollovers comprise but 3% of accidents, they are 25% of fatalities.
Think, instead, stability.
Take a folding ladder. Put your cute little 105-lb wife’s feet one foot above ground. Now put your lard-butt 240-lbs with feet four foot off the ground.
Which version greater stability?
While some design factors can help (Hummer design), ground clearance and off-road capable make a high risk vehicle.
Aero is nice. But what’s the weight percentage FF/RR? 50/50 like a race car? Low center of gravity? These DON’T go with “ pickup” (or Hummer, very bad crashes at speed).
Tripping hazards. (Takes very little to get a pickup airborne). Today’s roads are better than 20 years ago. But that can
rapidly go backwards.
The half-ton I previously owned was a 2001 with vestigial backseat and 6’ bed. 132” wheelbase. With driver and max fuel was just over 5,000-lbs. Same as a 120” WB 300S all else the same for weight. But all the advantages of physics accrue to the Mercedes-design sedan.
Even were it 1,000-lbs lighter.
“Weight” only works in a few types of crashes. The majority of serious injury or death wrecks are single vehicle.
The heavier it is, the fewer the options avoiding a crash in the first place
My 20,000-lb Peterbilt is as scary as any other semi. Takes NOTHING to roll one.
So you die when you illegally allow only a 200’ clearance between me and your rear bumper as you enter the highway? See if I care. I have to make sure I don’t roll it after smushing your insect-mobile (as they all look nowadays).
Given limits on size where “more” doesn’t benfit (is harmful), a car of
122” wheelbase
4,000-lbs curb weight
Fully independent suspension
Short front & rear overhang
Is the best vehicle available. Ergo, the Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300. Long production means no gremlins plus high reliability. Fleet vehicle. Fix it anywhere by anyone. Excellent performance & fuel economy with V6 engine. Pull a 7k Airstream if you want. All five family members aboard.
Build an insulated temp/humidity controlled garage.
Laugh at the electric idiots for the next 15+ years.
The early production Magnum wagon was exported to Europe as a Chrysler with a snappy 3.0L Mercedes turbodiesel & 5-Auto. Do a retrofit with something similar as time goes on.
Laugh louder and longer.
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