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What do you want in a Hybrid Pickup? - READ ONLY

25 messages,  Last post on Mar 27, 2007 at 12:45 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic, GMC Sierra 1500, Hybrid Cars, Truck

Messages Page 2 of 3

#6 of 25 Well by pf_flyer HOST

Mar 21, 2007 (4:55 am)

Given the the big selling point of the hybrid would be increased mileage, I assume they would do everything possible to lighten the truck since decreasing weight increases mileage. That's the kind of thing that I think makes it a tougher sell to a "truck guy". As parts become lessheavyduty, the truck becomes more of a "car shaped like a truck" if that makes any sense
 
That, and the weight of batteries eats into payload capacity as well.

#7 of 25 Re: Well [pf_flyer] by gagrice

Mar 21, 2007 (7:29 am)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Mar 21, 2007 4:55 am)
In the case of the Sierra Hybrid I would say they have added at least 300 lbs of Stuff including the battery that takes up all the area under the back seat. I can only compare to other vehicles I have owned. Mileage has slowly gotten better. At 8700 miles I am averaging a bit over 15 MPG mostly short 3 mile in town trips. On a recent trip to Palm Springs we averaged 18.2 MPG. That is not a whole lot better than my 4WD Suburban. I almost always got 13.5 MPG with it around town. And 17 MPG on the highway. The auto-stop & auto-start is cool. I am skeptical that it will work well for the long haul. All this high priced electronic stuff concerns me. If I do not sell the truck, I will get the extended warranty that I keep getting letters for. It has never had a warranty issue after a year and a half. In CA it has two big advantages. Cheaper insurance by $400 per year and NO smog tests. I could avoid the smog tests with a HD diesel PU truck. I think the mileage would be better and I would have less electronics to go bad. I would rather have a light duty PU with a small diesel engine. I do not need 500 fire breathing HP & 600 ft lbs of torque.
 
So I guess the bottom line is I don't want a hybrid PU anymore. A series diesel hybrid PU may change my mind.

#8 of 25 Re: Well [gagrice] and pf by ddunkle

Mar 21, 2007 (10:29 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 21, 2007 7:29 am)
pf,
Thanks for the welcome
My trucks have satisfied my "truck guy" needs for sturdy metal (Nissan, Mazda, older vintage- which is probably part of the picture also). And it makes sense the mfctrs would cut back weight with it. And yes, some of us women are truck guys.
 
Gagrice, I read your message and agree with you on light duty over HD, if by LD you mean compact.I love my v6 compact, I can haul a motorycle thru steep mountains just fine. So you haven't got much mileage improvement with hybrid, diesel would give you the benefits (insurance, smog test). I'd still like to see the mileage on a compact hybrid PU. Diesel is what, better for the air? Runs on veg. oil? I plee ignorance.

#9 of 25 Re: Well [gagrice] and pf [ddunkle] by pf_flyer HOST

Mar 21, 2007 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: ddunkle (Mar 21, 2007 10:29 am)
My bad... I shoulda said "truck enthusiasts"

#10 of 25 Re: Well [gagrice] and pf [ddunkle] by gagrice

Mar 21, 2007 (9:05 pm)

Replying to: ddunkle (Mar 21, 2007 10:29 am)
Yes the diesel has the option of running on biodiesel. I would be happy with a smaller PU if the mileage was significantly better. I mean if it got 25+ MPG in town. Most V6 PU trucks just do not get that good of mileage. My Toyota 4 cylinder was lucky to get 17 MPG in town. Not worth it for the much smaller size and towing capacity.

#11 of 25 Re: Well [gagrice] and pf [ddunkle] [gagrice] by stevedebi

Mar 23, 2007 (10:17 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 21, 2007 9:05 pm)
"My Toyota 4 cylinder was lucky to get 17 MPG in town."
 
I had a 1996 Ford F150 super cab. I used it for light stuff only, not towing. So I got a base model (I mean REALLY base model), with the 4.2L V6 and the manual transmission. I got 17 MPG city and 23 MPG at 70 MPH, which are pretty good numbers for a full size pickup. But I drove it carefully in town, maximizing the MPG. I bet it would have gotten 15 MPG if I had been hotfooting it out of stop lights (if one could "hot foot" a 4.2L in that size vehicle).
 
To do any significant hauling or towing it was, shall we say, rather underpowered.

#12 of 25 [stevedebi] by gagrice

Mar 23, 2007 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: stevedebi (Mar 23, 2007 10:17 am)
I don't think anyone has plans for a real hybrid PU truck. Just not practical to tow with. Even the high powered SUVs like the RX400h will not tow much of anything. The one good thing about my hybrid is the AC outlets. I have used them and it is handy. Not worth the premium they are tacking onto the current Hybrid. If you can find one. I have mine advertised and get calls from people saying the dealers do not have them in stock and want full price to order one. It amazes me the extent automakers will go to just to look like they are doing something good for the environment. I guess they have some people convinced. Not me.
 
PS
My 1994 Toyota PU was gutless. I would not consider hooking trailer to it.

#13 of 25 Re: [stevedebi] [gagrice] by larsb

Mar 23, 2007 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 23, 2007 2:13 pm)
A diesel hybrid pickup could tow like a MammaJamma and still get great MPG.
 
Someone just needs the coj*nes to build and sell one.

#14 of 25 Re: [stevedebi] [gagrice] [larsb] by gagrice

Mar 23, 2007 (3:22 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Mar 23, 2007 2:40 pm)
I thought Toyota had plans to have a Tundra hybrid by now. No talk of it anymore. If you think it would work, how do you get around the inherent problems with towing? Plus no off road use. Hybrid has too many limitations to be useful in a PU truck. Toyota tried and dropped it is my guess.
 
I would be happy with a 1/2 ton diesel PU, forget the hybrid junk. They won't even build that.

#15 of 25 Re: [stevedebi] [gagrice] [larsb] [gagrice] by larsb

Mar 24, 2007 (6:13 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 23, 2007 3:22 pm)
Seems like you could build a diesel truck with plenty of torque from the diesel engine to do any towing you needed to do, without using the hybrid motor.
 
To "protect" the hybrid motor from damage during towing, either have an OFF switch or use engine torque sensors to "disable" the hybrid motor when towing.
 
That way, the truck is a diesel/hybrid as normal when it's only pulling itself, but it gets the benefit of the diesel torque when towing something behind it.
 
Ta-Da. Throw any Engineering Design Awards my way as required.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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