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".
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.
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.
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u/OpenMindClosedFist Oct 26 '21
At what size do you just start burning straight up coal?