Hybrid work trucks ?

Unknown

A Ford E-350 , V8 gas . Gets about the same mileage as the truck I moved out of , a 1992 Ford E-350 diesel . About 11 mpg . I know that all the weight we carry on the truck kills gas mileage . But I thought we'd see a bit more mpg . Are there any plans to make hybrid work vans that'll increase mileage ? With the premium we're paying for gas , the extra cost for the new technology should pay for itself quick .

Andrew S. DeCecco

dodge/ freighliner sprinter

The best mpg and the best body style in my opinion.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7365

Boiler Guy

E350 --D'oh!

Hope you are happier with yours than I am with mine. I have been a Ford person all my life but wouldn't give you a plugged nickel for this thing!!!!

clammy

E 350

I recenty got a e 350 cargo diesel it's mileage isn't that bad and it hurls it has the smaller diesel with the turbo .But given a choice i would take that dodge sprinter in a heart beat saw them in germny in 96-98 and fell in love withem those germans had every possible lay out in them and as neat as a pin didn't see the mess that comsumes most work trucks mine right on thr top a loaded semi pig stye .If and when i get a new personal work vechile it will be a sprinter for sure peace how's it hanging ron busy as always peace clammy

chuck shaw

i have a truck for sale

http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&Thread_ID=17786&mc=2

give a look, Ill let you know all the detials

Chuck

Tony Conner_2

I've Got A...

... 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4 with the high-output Cummins diesel and a 6 speed manual transmission (1st gear is a stump-puller and rarely used). I usually have about 1,000 lbs of tools in it, and get the same mileage as my 2000 Chev 1/2 ton two wheel drive with the small V8 (gasoline) and 4 speed automatic - 24 miles per US gallon. Diesel is usually cheaper than gasoline here.

With the on/off road tires on the Dodge, you can get through any snowfall we've had in the last two winters. In 2 wheel drive though, the diesels' got so much torque that it's a pig with even a skim of snow. I wouldn't recommend a 2 wheel drive diesel pick-up.

S Ebels

Just bought a new Sprinter............

Feb 8th. We have a little over 1,900 miles on it and don't have it fully decked out yet. Probably carrying an average of 7-800#'s + 2 people. It's only on its fourth tank of fuel. First tank mostly road miles 22.1mpg. Second tank 19.2 local service. Third tank 19.8 local service also. Fourth tank has 340 miles on it and it just dropped below half full.

The place we bought it from sells about 12-15 a month. The said most people report around 23mpg after break-in. Some as low as 18-19, all city, lots of idling. Some as high as 26-27, over the road expiditer types.

If you get one, buy the engine monitor package and the aux heater booster. The engine monitor actually looks at the condition of the motor oil and tells you when to change it. This can run as high as 15-16,000 miles between changes depending on the type of driving and how you drive. The heater booster is mandatory, as the little 5 cylinder M/B diesel doesn't make enough waste heat to warm the thing up.

We REALLY like it A LOT!!!!

Bill Nye_2

Hey Chuck

Send me some info

Jim_47

Sprinters

Guys, I thought I read here on the wall a long time ago that the Sprinter tires could not hold up to the weight that we normally carry. It seems to me that maybe I am carrying to much? My GMC 3500 weights in at 9000lbs loaded. I was told the sprinter tires could not carry all that the GMC/Ford full size vans can.

S Ebels

GVW's

The GVW on the Sprinter is the same as any standard 3/4 or 1 ton van. 8,550 on the 3/4 and 9,900 on the 1 ton. The tires that came on ours are Michilen with a load range D rating. That rating is easliy high enough for the 3/4, which is what ours is. The one tons are dual rear wheel, single on the 3/4. We bought the 3/4 because the intended use is service/light installation/jobsite transplantation for crew. Just filled it again this AM, had to run the kid back to college in Muskegon, 20.7MPG, mostly local running around.

chris_24

so if you guys want

the ultimate in fuel economy.......

start using recycled vegatable oil. it will only work with diesel engines, and if you shop around a little you can get the vegatable oil for free.

Ken D.

Trucks

With the average fillup around here of $50 we could all use a dose of economy. I have not heard of larger vans being considered for hybrid technology. The weights involved are probably the reason. I am sure the US inginuity could easily come up with a alternative fuel or other energy saving technology, but big oil is too entrenched. Here's hoping.

Reinvent

The weight of the vehicle has nothing to do with it. Those huge dump trucks that carry 300 tons from strip mines are hybrids. Problem is that intergrating hybrid tecnology isnt so easy. US companies have found this out the hard way. Toyota and Honda have a six year head start and thats why a bunch of other auto makers are licenseing the tecnology from them.

Unknown

Huh ?

The weight of the vehicle has nothing to do with MPG ?

Reinvent

No No I was responding to the thought that bigger vehicles couldnt be made into hybrids when in fact any vehicle can.

Al Gregory

I just bought this. I wanted a Ford but none on the lots around here. Haven't been able to tie it up to be painted yet. Best part about it is my slop bucket fits inside the toolbox behind the drivers door. I dont have to smell it anymore. Plus I can stand up inside the back. Single rear wheels too so it fits into most driveways. Worst thing is no more drive through windows, it's to tall.