Why Gas Guzzlers Are Still Going Strong

[westcliffe01]

I have bought many copies of this magazine. The originals from the 70's bought in used book stores. After you have read the originals, you will notice that in the last 20 years all that the editors do is constantly recycle the articles written 30 years before. The magazine is now run by city dwelling liberals whose value system is so perverse that they are OK with advertising cigarettes in current magazines. I briefly subscribed to the current version of the magazine but discontinued my subscription once I figured out the "depth" of the publication.

Doing most of what is written in the articles is illegal in most jurisdictions now anyhow, given the EPA, department of agriculture, and the warehouses full of laws that have changed since the 70's.

 

[5030]

I have bought many copies of this magazine. The originals from the 70's bought in used book stores. After you have read the originals, you will notice that in the last 20 years all that the editors do is constantly recycle the articles written 30 years before. The magazine is now run by city dwelling liberals whose value system is so perverse that they are OK with advertising cigarettes in current magazines. I briefly subscribed to the current version of the magazine but discontinued my subscription once I figured out the "depth" of the publication.

Doing most of what is written in the articles is illegal in most jurisdictions now anyhow, given the EPA, department of agriculture, and the warehouses full of laws that have changed since the 70's.

This ain't Long Range Hunting...... what gives????:laughing::laughing:

 

[buickanddeere]

Personally, if they made a vehicle that could perform the same tasks as my 2500HD and got 50 mpg I would be all over it. I don't want to get poor gas mileage, but I have tasks that need to be done, and this truck does them all. I subscribe to Mother Earth, but rarely even look at it.

With gasoline containing only 114000 BTU per Gallon . How do you propose pushing a 2500HD sized vehicle at 60 mph with only 1900 btu, 44.8P, 33.4 KW,per mile ? Those are gross numbers, not what is left after heat losses out the stack, radiators, operation of accessories etc. 13HP to the rear wheels won't roll that 2500HD down the road at 60mph.

 

[MossRoad]

Lets look at it this way...
Fuel-Efficiency - CSX

"For example, a heavy-duty diesel truck that hauls 19 tons of freight a distance of 500 miles would consume approximately 71 gallons of diesel fuel. The efficiency of this freight haul would be calculated as:

(19 tons times 500 miles) divided by (71 gallons) equals 134 ton-miles per gallon.

This efficiency might be stated as 殿 truck can move a ton of freight 134 miles on a gallon of fuel.

Similarly, a typical train might haul 3000 tons of freight 500 miles and consume approximately 3200 gallons of diesel fuel. The efficiency of this freight haul would be calculated as:

(3000 tons multiplied by 500 miles) divided by (3200 gallons) equals 469 ton-miles per gallon.

This efficiency might be stated as 殿 train can move a ton of freight 469 miles on a gallon of fuel.

In this example, the train is approximately 3.5 times more efficient at hauling freight."

So lets say a 3/4 ton pickup that weighs 6500#, or, 3.25 tons.
(3.25 tons multiplied by 500 miles) divided by (27.8 gallons(assuming 18mpg)) equals 58.5 ton-miles per gallon....
Jeez, a heavy freight truck is 2.3 times more efficient than the pickup in this example!
So it would seem that somebody, somewhere, could squeeze out better mileage from pickup trucks.

 

[bcp]

Looks like "bigger and heavier" is more efficient than "smaller and lighter."

Bruce

 

[dave1949]

Horse power contains an element of time: 550 pounds raised one foot in one second. So, the speed of the hauling makes a big difference.

Being able to haul 10K pounds uphill behind a pickup going 70mph requires a lot of HP and the fuel to make it. For commercial use that may make economic sense. When time is not so important, such as for recreational use, that is gas-guzzling. :laughing:

I don't think there are many non-commercial truck options on the market that combine a small displacement efficient engine with a transmission that would get the 10K load up the hill--but at a much slower speed. I have no idea what the potential market for such a utility truck would be. What average mpg would be needed to attract some buyers?

 

[buickanddeere]

Lets look at it this way...
Fuel-Efficiency - CSX

"For example, a heavy-duty diesel truck that hauls 19 tons of freight a distance of 500 miles would consume approximately 71 gallons of diesel fuel. The efficiency of this freight haul would be calculated as:

(19 tons times 500 miles) divided by (71 gallons) equals 134 ton-miles per gallon.

This efficiency might be stated as 殿 truck can move a ton of freight 134 miles on a gallon of fuel.

Similarly, a typical train might haul 3000 tons of freight 500 miles and consume approximately 3200 gallons of diesel fuel. The efficiency of this freight haul would be calculated as:

(3000 tons multiplied by 500 miles) divided by (3200 gallons) equals 469 ton-miles per gallon.

This efficiency might be stated as 殿 train can move a ton of freight 469 miles on a gallon of fuel.

In this example, the train is approximately 3.5 times more efficient at hauling freight."

So lets say a 3/4 ton pickup that weighs 6500#, or, 3.25 tons.
(3.25 tons multiplied by 500 miles) divided by (27.8 gallons(assuming 18mpg)) equals 58.5 ton-miles per gallon....
Jeez, a heavy freight truck is 2.3 times more efficient than the pickup in this example!
So it would seem that somebody, somewhere, could squeeze out better mileage from pickup trucks.

You missed some factors.
What is the aerodynamic drag per ton per mile of a freight train vs. a pickup?
What is the energy lost in rolling friction of rubber tires on asphalt vs, steel wheel on steel rails per ton per mile ?
How much energy does the truck waste heating up the brake rotors stopping how many times per trip? The train may roll for hundreds of miles without hitting the brakes.

 

[SirReal63]

With gasoline containing only 114000 BTU per Gallon . How do you propose pushing a 2500HD sized vehicle at 60 mph with only 1900 btu, 44.8P, 33.4 KW,per mile ? Those are gross numbers, not what is left after heat losses out the stack, radiators, operation of accessories etc. 13HP to the rear wheels won't roll that 2500HD down the road at 60mph.

I don't propose it, and that is my point, (reading is fundamental, understanding what is read is essential) my gas guzzler does the job exactly as needed, and to date no 50 mpg vehicle will do the job that my truck does. As much as I would prefer to get 50 mph, the fact remains that I need the work done and if it means getting 12 mpg then so be it.

 

[paulharvey]

Mother Earth News is a odd magazine. They have some really neat stuff, but you really have to filter though the hippy crap. My mom and dad used to get the magazine when I was younger, and I happened to find one of the early 80s? Issues. It had, wood alcohol trucks, and a 3 page rant about how Herpes was a military-goverment conspiracy to attack "free love".

 

[jerrybob]

Are yoiu talking about Mother Earth News or the National Rifle Association???

Great question!:thumbsup: