So, do you guys think more trucks / tow vehicles will be heading in this direction?
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090311/OPINION03/903110330/1149
I’ve not had a chance to drive one of these Chevy Silverado Hybrids. 20 MPG in town sounds intriguing. Anyone had the chance to get behind the wheel of one of these trucks? The tow rating is 6,000 Lbs + so a typical walleye boat shouldn’t be an issue.
Just curious more than anything.
Dude them PowerStrokes rule the roost. And they last forever, Besides I saw diesel $0.03 cheaper than regular unleaded last Wednesday $1.799
I guess I am just too comfortable in my Ford. 
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Dude them PowerStrokes rule the roost. And they last forever, Besides I saw diesel $0.03 cheaper than regular unleaded last Wednesday $1.799
I guess I am just too comfortable in my Ford.
That’s what’s sitting in my drive too. But times, they are a changing and I’m always curious about new technology. Plus a 300 Volt electric motor under the hood sounds kinda cool.
I think battery technology has a long way to go before hybrids and electric cars become truly practical. My Dakota is rated to pull 4000 pounds, has a small 8 cyclinder engine, and gets almost 20 MPG on the highway pulling my boat. The hybrid just isn’t THAT much more efficient at this point.
But who know what the future will bring? Maybe some day we’ll all have Yamaha electric outboards hanging on the transom.
Rootski
I have a friend who owns a Tahoe Hybrid XL. (He has had MANY GM tow vehicles over the years) He is not impressed with the Towing capability. Loves the Vehicle but is not interested in another Hybrid until technology is better. Current production 5.3 Gas engines are getting 20+ on the Highway. 
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But who know what the future will bring? Maybe some day we’ll all have Yamaha electric outboards hanging on the transom.
Rootski
Or a sail?
Daveb is right. Most batteries have lead in them…and we all know lead and Mother can’t get along.
Being in the business, I always like to read up on what is coming down the pipe. I know Dodge’s HYBRID truck is already on the road, in a few HD trucks in testing, but will not be available to the public until 2010, if they are still around… 
The claim of 21 city and 22 hwy, they say is a 40% increase in fuel economy…. using their numbers, that would mean the Silverados now get 15 city & 16 hwy ???? Seems pretty low to me. Seems like some fuzzy math, I am guessing the existing Silverados have to get at least 17 city and 19 hwy. This then would equate to a 25% increase. I am guessing 40% sounds better for the article…. Believe me, the electrics are coming. The technicians are receiving training, on how to work on them already. There are special gloves, special tools and even a long fiberglass pole, to pull the guy that is getting fried, off the vehicle…. 
big G
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The technicians are receiving training, on how to work on them already. There are special gloves, special tools and even a long fiberglass pole, to pull the guy that is getting fried, off the vehicle….
big G
The pole is very thoughtful… lol Those Dodge reps sure know how to treat a guy.
My feelings are I would rather drill a hole in a foreign country than bury old dead batteries in my own, but I’m selfish like that.
Everything I’ve read so far is that the electrics just don’t have the oomph we hauling guys desire, maybe that will change? What won’t change is the belief that just because you go electric you are some way “saving the planet”, ain’t so! Remember what you learned years ago in grade-school, ya can’t get rid of matter but only change its form….meaning you may not be emitting carbon monoxide into the air with a gas motor, but instead leaching battery acid into the ground and water upon in the disposal process. These batteries don’t last forever in these vehicles, eventually they have to go somewhere….kinda like your household garbage. Just because it’s in the ground doesn’t mean it goes away for good.
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The technicians are receiving training, on how to work on them already. There are special gloves, special tools and even a long fiberglass pole, to pull the guy that is getting fried, off the vehicle….
big G
The pole is very thoughtful… lol Those Dodge reps sure know how to treat a guy.
The same thing is happening with the Fire Dept. for car accidents. Careful where you put the JAWS….thankfully most electric cars have a big a** surge protector on them just in case.
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Daveb is right. Most batteries have lead in them…and we all know lead and Mother can’t get along.
Not to mention weight!!..One of the downsides is the additional weight of lead batteries. I’m not sure how they can work around that issue, but seems as though that kills any improvement in your towing capacity.
The pole is very thoughtful…
That was good!
I agree, the fiberglass pole is a cute idea, although that’s been the standard in radio for working on transmitters. We call em jesus sticks, the first time you forget to discharge the capcitor…. 
As for hybrid trucks, I think they have a ways to go before I’m serious.
dave
I actually got a chance to ride and drive the Tahoe Hybrid. It really is seamless between electric and gas. With out the display turned on could not tell which was working. Took it down the interstate running 70 MPH and was averaging 22 MPG. Not bad for a vehicle that size. Not pulling anything I was impressed how quick it was. I have to agree with the rest here as a true tow vehicle It would not be overpowered by no means. But for a person who only tows once or twice a month and uses it as a daily driver may work.
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