Why I Strive For MPG In A Big Pickup - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Big Dave · 02-13-2008, 08:23 PM

There are idiots out there.

Had a close one today. An idiot driving too fast for the icy road hit his brakes, did a nice 540 and wound up coming at me in my lnae.

I had nowhere to go, so I hit the brakes and figured I'd scrub off some speed in a spin before I hit him.

The good news is that Ford puts fabulous anti-lock brakes on their pickups. the pedal buzzed and I slowed down dead-nuts straight.

Amazing how fast you think in these situations. I thought to get my thumbs out of the middle of the steering wheel so it wouldn't break my thumbs when the air bag went off. I also thought: "Hey! I've got a chance! Maybe a little slower and I can squeeze off to the right." Suddenly I knew I would stop in time.

A petrified codger and crone stared back at me - both of us dead stopped. I saw they were breathing so I figured I could not do them any good and my temper might get the better of me and I'd beat that old coot to a frazzle.

But there is undeniably an inexhaustible supply of idiots out there and if you drive enough, you WILL find one. Will you be able to walk away?

If I'd hit them, I woulda squashed that Toyota like a bug, but with seat belts. air bag and 7500 lb I would have walked away and had to wash codger and crone goo out of my AC condensor.

I ain't ready for the Promised Land just yet. I'll stay with my rolling fortress.

bennelson · 02-13-2008, 08:30 PM

Glad to hear you're OK!

Stories like that are as good of a reason as any I know for everyone just to slow down a bit! Especially when the weather is less than perfect!

Gone4 · 02-13-2008, 08:36 PM

I'm not insulting your choice of a large vehicle here, but what happens when everyone owns a 7500 lb vehicle? Then you are just as likely to die as before. What happens when you hit someone in the truck and kill them, where they would have otherwise survived? Braking in a smaller car may have made that situation even less close by being able to stop sooner and definitely by being able to maneuver quicker and without fears of rolling. I'm not so sure I agree driving should be an arms race.

Regardless, it is good to hear a story that ends well.

Frank Lee · 02-13-2008, 08:39 PM

Ah- so being chicken is a good reason for everybody to commute in full-size trucks and their derivatives. What about heavy duty trucks? Maybe you should commute in one of them... just to be safe.

Big Dave · 02-13-2008, 09:27 PM

Being able to manuever would not have helped at all. I was penned in by Armco.

Pickups are by nature treacherous to drive, being nose neavy. There is a Darwinian selection amongst pickup drivers. They either learn the limitations or they have wrecks/scare the bejeebers out of themselves and get rid of a vehicle they cannot handle.

There is also the thing about the "hauling stuff" mission. Pickups do that well. It just happened today that I was running empty.

That knucklehead doesn't know how close he came to dying a second time. If I had gotten out and gone over to him, I might have beaten him to a frazzle. Fortunately for him, I could see they were breathing and scared to death. I just minded my blood pressure and went on.

brucepick · 02-13-2008, 10:14 PM

Or you could drive a 10-20 year old Volvo and probably be even safer.

What, did you think there'd be no Volvo nut here to sing the praises of his favorite brand? I've heard more stories of Volvos being mercilessly destroyed by driving mishaps, only to have their doors open and occupants climb out under their own power. And they only weigh about 3000 lb.

Frank Lee · 02-13-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dave

That knucklehead doesn't know how close he came to dying a second time. If I had gotten out and gone over to him, I might have beaten him to a frazzle. Fortunately for him, I could see they were breathing and scared to death. I just minded my blood pressure and went on.

Wow Dave, that's mighty white of you, what a huuuuuuuuuuuuge favor you did them.

trebuchet03 · 02-13-2008, 10:53 PM

I'll put the cost of my engineering cap/gown on three factors that were key here....

1. Tire selection
2. ABS
3. Quick Reaction Time

I'll put that same money on what wasn't a factor
1. Vehicle weight

So sure, you're pushing into the ground with more force - but you've got just as much more kinetic energy to deal with. The same reason why your car would just clobber that other car is the same reason why braking/maneuvering is much more difficult.

I'm not harping on you, just pointing out that it wasn't the big part of the truck - it was the driver, tire selection and non truck specific components...

Frank Lee · 02-13-2008, 11:01 PM

Imagine how petrified Big Tough Dave is of bicycles and motorcycles. Do ya wear a helmet on stairways too? They are statistically the most dangerous of all.

trebuchet03 · 02-13-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Imagine how petrified Big Tough Dave is of bicycles and motorcycles. Do ya wear a helmet on stairways too? They are statistically the most dangerous of all.

c'mon frank... we got it the first time... While I share your sentiment for larger vehicles... I accept, at the same time, that nothing we say will directly sway someone's current vehicle (for a variety of reasons). I drive a MkIV Jetta - I'd love to get an even smaller car, but it's not economical for me to do so at this time - I'm sure plenty of others are in the same situation.

My point is - is it really worth it? If the answer is yes - my apologies, my troll shields must be to low :/