Is this the future of towing??

[scipper77]

The European Ford ranger diesel gets 40 mpg highway (34 in mixed driving) and tows up to 3500 lbs. and that's the base model. The top model diesel gets 32 mpg on the highway and is rated to tow over 6500 lbs.

Recently (this year) "car" makers have begun to produce diesels that are 50 states emissions legal. I'm hoping it won't be long until we can have a tow vehicle that doesn't kill us on gas as a daily driver!


So what does everyone think? Thumbs up or thumbs down to this?

 

[jkust]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

A big Obama thumbs down. I don't care about mileage and I can tow 6500 lbs now.

 

[QC]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

A big Obama thumbs down. I don't care about mileage and I can tow 6500 lbs now.

Huh? Sorry, I just don't understand if Obama likes or doesn't like diesels, or if you do or don't like Obama, or some sort of combination . . . And still not sure what the heck Obama has to do with the question.

I like choices and whether it is a mini-truck, a Golf, a 3 series BMW, an S class Mercedes or a Marine propulsion package why wouldn't I want a hi-tech diesel option to consider?

 

[skargo]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

The European Ford ranger diesel gets 40 mpg highway (34 in mixed driving) and tows up to 3500 lbs. and that's the base model. The top model diesel gets 32 mpg on the highway and is rated to tow over 6500 lbs.

Recently (this year) "car" makers have begun to produce diesels that are 50 states emissions legal. I'm hoping it won't be long until we can have a tow vehicle that doesn't kill us on gas as a daily driver!


So what does everyone think? Thumbs up or thumbs down to this?

They've been making diesels that are 50 state compliant for years.

 

[QC]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

They've been making diesels that are 50 state compliant for years.

Who has and for what? HD pickups? They have some emission exemptions due to GVW, but very few other examples of 50 state diesels, 49 yes, 50 no.

 

[skargo]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Who has and for what? HD pickups? They have some emission exemptions due to GVW, but very few other examples of 50 state diesels, 49 yes, 50 no.

My fault, I was indeed thinking HD pickups like mine, I forgot about the exemptions. I see the Jetta TDI as of the 08' model is 50 state now.

Our country is so funny when it comes to diesels, people see the black smoke and think it's dirtier than a gas powered vehicle, when in reality, diesel particulates fall to the ground, and gas particulates float in the air, mingling with the air we breath.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

They've been making diesels that are 50 state compliant for years.

not small engines. You couldn't buy a TDI Volkswagen in NY or CA until this year. Big trucks don't have to be as clean as passenger cars. In europe diesels are common for small cars. Don't quote me on this but I'd bet a Chevy Aveo with a diesel in Europe gets 65-70 mpg. We are behind the curve here in the us. And please leave Obama out of this. Diesel thread not politics!

 

[QC]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Yeah, and there aint no mo particulates to speak of . . . diesel or gasoline. NOx is the reason diesels have had a hard time in CA. With SCR (urea injection into a catalyst) and EGR, the NOx numbers have dropped dramatically making 50 state possible.

If any of you think that modern diesels can't be fun in a small car you need to think differently. They are unbelievable and can even be more fun than their gasoline counterparts due to amazing low RPM performance. My boss in the UK has an Audi A8 with a diesel that is incredible, our tech guy a diesel Golf, our CFO a Diesel Merc (as they call a Mercedes). I rented a diesel 3 series and a 5 series a couple of years back that were both so much fun I didn't want to give them back . . .

Oh, and be careful when comparing MPG on anything European as it may be in Imp. Gallons which is 4.546 liters vs. 3.785 for a US Gallon, that's 20% more so MPG will be 20% higher as well. Not sure what figures the Ranger specs are above ^^^^^.

 

[skargo]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

not small engines. You couldn't buy a TDI Volkswagen in NY or CA until this year. Big trucks don't have to be as clean as passenger cars. In europe diesels are common for small cars. Don't quote me on this but I'd bet a Chevy Aveo with a diesel in Europe gets 65-70 mpg. We are behind the curve here in the us. And please leave Obama out of this. Diesel thread not politics!

I never mentioned Obama

 

[skargo]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Yeah, and there aint no mo particulates to speak of . . . diesel or gasoline. NOx is the reason diesels have had a hard time in CA. With SCR (urea injection into a catalyst) and EGR, the NOx numbers have dropped dramatically making 50 state possible.

If any of you think that modern diesels can't be fun in a small car you need to think differently. They are unbelievable and can even be more fun than their gasoline counterparts due to amazing low RPM performance. My boss in the UK has an Audi A8 with a diesel that is incredible, our tech guy a diesel Golf, our CFO a Diesel Merc (as they call a Mercedes). I rented a diesel 3 series and a 5 series a couple of years back that were both so much fun I didn't want to give them back . . .

Oh, and be careful when comparing MPG on anything European as it may be in Imp. Gallons which is 4.546 liters vs. 3.785 for a US Gallon, that's 20% more so MPG will be 20% higher as well. Not sure what figures the Ranger specs are above ^^^^^.

You should drive my Cummins powered truck, the ultimate sleeper. I am about maxed out for a 24 valve, I am at 550hp/1100ft/lbs at the rear wheels. I love surprising little ricer mobiles and more than a few muscle cars.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I would not mind a fuel pincher diesel daily driver, But I would never buy a VW and cant afford a Mercedes so maybe 5 or 10 years after Ford starts selling them over here I'll be able procure a used example.
Of course the fuel pincher would be in addition to my 500hp supercharged Mustang, gotta preserve fuel for her somehow.

I think fuel pinching diesels are a much better idea than gas electric hybrids.
I can see the Chebby Volt electric being practical for a good number of folks I would not expect to save the earth powering cars with coal burning electrical generation but it looks like coal is going to be taxed possibly to death.

Bold new world forthcoming.

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I am about maxed out for a 24 valve, I am at 550hp/1100ft/lbs at the rear wheels.

Must be a VP powered truck, since the cp3 trucks are also 24 valve.

I'm running an SHO pump from Source on mine. As soon as this one bites the dust, I'll p-pump my 01.

The diesel emissions requirements in this country are absurd. If we had a level playing field with Europe, I think many more folks would choose the Diesel route. I would LOVE to have a small diesel ranger as a daily driver.

Chevy, Ford, and Dodge all had 1/2 ton diesels in the works. Both Chevy and Ford shelved their projects until the economy turns around. Dodge put the proper serp belt diagram on their 1/2 ton trucks for the "optional Cummins diesel," but it hasn't gone any further than that. It is going to end up EXACTLY how the hybrid craze started. Toyota is going to beat the domestics to the punch and be the first to offer a 1/2 ton diesel, and they will take huge market share... And the domestics will have no one to blame but themselves.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I never mentioned Obama

Sorry, the Obama part of the reply wasn't directed at you.

 

[QC]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

EPA 2010 and Euro 6 are pretty equal. There have been some parts of EPA regs that are easier than Euro and Visa Versa . . .

 

[CAVU V]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Would it have been better if he said Jimmy Carter act II?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

I would not mind a fuel pincher diesel daily driver, But I would never buy a VW and cant afford a Mercedes so maybe 5 or 10 years after Ford starts selling them over here I'll be able procure a used example.
Of course the fuel pincher would be in addition to my 500hp supercharged Mustang, gotta preserve fuel for her somehow.

I think fuel pinching diesels are a much better idea than gas electric hybrids.
I can see the Chebby Volt electric being practical for a good number of folks I would not expect to save the earth powering cars with coal burning electrical generation but it looks like coal is going to be taxed possibly to death.

Bold new world forthcoming.

You would not buy a VW? but you would have a Ford?
Strange, uninformed thinking.

Do you know that VWs have true seamless bodys? Instead of overlapping panels that are spot welded together they are butted together and laser welded in to a true one piece body and are much much stronger then anything we produce. Not to mention more efficient power trains.

 

[tnduc]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

The standard Government Motors Volt will be the towing vehicle of the future- since none of us will be able to gas up any boat over 12 feet long.....

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Ford has been 'leaking' secrets of a F150 deisel for ages now. There was more rumors there'd be a 2010 model, but I've not heard anything about it in a long time. I can promise you that as soon as one becomes available I will be trading in the current beast for one....well maybe the second year version...I am always a bit leary of first year models.

ian

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Do you know that VWs have true seamless bodys? Instead of overlapping panels that are spot welded together they are butted together and laser welded in to a true one piece body and are much much stronger then anything we produce. Not to mention more efficient power trains.

Do you know that VW's are also prone to having electrical problems? They consistantly are bad in Consumer Reports for their electrical issues.

I know in 2010 the Subaru Outback will be offered in a Diesel. I think that's one of the only Japanese cars in the USA that is going to be diesel.

The whole thought of any diesel powered vehicle is all good by me. If they offered a Ranger, Jeep, or any other diesel vehicle that got better mileage and could still pull it would be perfect.

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Is this the future of towing??

Ford has been 'leaking' secrets of a F150 deisel for ages now. There was more rumors there'd be a 2010 model, but I've not heard anything about it in a long time. I can promise you that as soon as one becomes available I will be trading in the current beast for one....well maybe the second year version...I am always a bit leary of first year models.

ian

True..

But, I have what one might call an "insiders" access to information when it comes to Ford.