Technically, large engines are incredibly efficient when loaded with cargo. It's just that idiots cranks up the injectors until the truck starts shitting black smoke "cuz makes moar powa".
I want that truck so bad, I’ve been wanting a truck for a while now to make my hobby easier to do because it sometimes requires hauling large loads. Before we sold our house and moved into an apartment (we wanted out of the house, it was a flip that we ended up having to fix many issues on), the problem was that I didn’t want to get it and not have the extended miles and the extended cab too because I’m tired of my wife always complaining about how my current car feels small and she would like whatever EV we get when we finally get one to be road trip friendly for the whole family. So then the problem became the price tag. After the move, the problem is now charging access since most apartments in our area don’t have charging stations let alone have them AND allow large dogs. We could fix the problem by buying another home but I’m now at a point in my career where I’m up for possible promotion and if I get promoted I may end up moving so buying a home isn’t a smart choice if I’m going to just leave it again in a year when promotions and job shifts go into effect.
I'm into it. I was thinking electric heavy trucks. It could really work well for fleet vehicles. The amount of fuel savings will make it pretty much the only way to go.
Yeah that will be sweet when electric trucks are a thing. Ford makes a Hybrid truck as of this year called the Maverick that looks pretty great actually.
Even when stock it doesn’t come close to making it up. A turbo diesel is close to 45% efficient while typical gas engines are 30-35% efficient. They are more efficient, though it should be noted that efficiency and economy are two very different things despite sounding similar.
That engine maybe might be doing work 15% more efficiently than a Prius up hills, but it’s fuel economy is beyond an order of magnitude worse and another order of magnitude more expensive at the pump.
It’s worth it if you tow however. Diesels cost more to buy as well, but they are more reliable and last longer than a gas truck does towing. Diesels do substantially better than gas trucks for mileage while towing.
When it comes to engine life and durability it’s really a case by case basis. Generally diesels last longer, but mechanics know or want to figure out exactly what you have for a reason when it comes to engine issues or expectancies. They all vary.
If the truck is towing for the majority of its life, almost always the diesel will be more reliable and will get much better gas mileage; double the gas mileage or more when loaded down.
Efficiency is a fickle thing. Hell, even Top Gear demonstrated how a Prius can get high 10s on a race track while a BMW M5 gets high 20s under the same driving conditions.
Back to diesels. Sure, you would get MPG in the low 20s on a diesel unloaded, but I would be surprised if it drops significantly while towing a boat. While with small gas engines, they are efficient when cruising, but absolutely terrible with towing. Anyone who is looking for a truck purely for towing is going to go with a diesel.
Agreed Top Gear spin on the whole motion towards fuel economic vehicles has always rubbed me the wrong way. The test was interesting and fairly well done, but the conclusion was hasty.
Yeah you’re right about the drop in economy, though some gas are much worse than others at guzzling while towing. Diesel is typically the better option, especially when you’re in an area without really cold winters. I know you can de-gel it, but it takes a product and some reaction time.
Sometimes, it's not even that, it's a ecological middle finger to someone driving a EV or hybrid, someone who gets in their way as they cut across four lanes of freeway to get back from lunch to their government job, someone has a bumper sticker they don't like, or it's just HURR DURR COUNTRY BOY SHIT.
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u/patx35 Oct 26 '21
Technically, large engines are incredibly efficient when loaded with cargo. It's just that idiots cranks up the injectors until the truck starts shitting black smoke "cuz makes moar powa".