New trucks and 4low...
- Thread starter rho
- Start date
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Most avg Joes won’t need all that power. But most full-size 1/2 tons come with a V6 option.
luthj
Engineer In Residence
Horsepower sells. For some reason folks go crazy for the G forces when they floor the go pedal. Another part of it is efficiency. Engines that tolerate higher peak combustion pressure and compression ratio get better fuel economy in many cases. That also means more power available.
In other countries where fuel is not so crazy cheap, its hard to find vehicles with 400hp outside of big rigs and niche sport cars.
I would agree that anything over about 45-50hp per ton is unnecessary. Most folks won't use it when they need too (merging onto the freeway...) anyhow.
Honestly its hard to go wrong with the engines in most any major truck or full sized SUV currently. Its just a varying selection of okay to great overall.
In other countries where fuel is not so crazy cheap, its hard to find vehicles with 400hp outside of big rigs and niche sport cars.
I would agree that anything over about 45-50hp per ton is unnecessary. Most folks won't use it when they need too (merging onto the freeway...) anyhow.
Honestly its hard to go wrong with the engines in most any major truck or full sized SUV currently. Its just a varying selection of okay to great overall.
shade
Well-known member
Sounds like you're ready to go electric. Good for you!
MOguy
Explorer
I like crusing around checking things out topless, that is my "free expression" or crawling up and over something.
I prefer lower gearing and more control, but I suppose it depends on the type of driving.
But I agree, need should not be the determining factor, wants are as or even more important.
MOguy
Explorer
Vehicle usage is always a consideration.
I am a weekend warrior at "overlanding" and my Wrangler is a weekend driver. I drive it to work and around at times. Speed means nothing to me, my TJ is comfortable enough. I do like the harder off roading / shorter excursions so my wants are different then yours. Off roading capabilities is is important in my "overlanding" vehicle. I do road trips, not long ones, but for that I do have the comfy cushy AWD Crossover. It does have a button for traction control and towing but that is it.
Last edited:
shade
Well-known member
ChasingOurTrunks
Well-known member
Amazing to me how regionally influenced truck prices are. Having just gone down this path twice this year, with a new Silverado in January (2018 model) and our new-to-us 2017 Canyon in May. I was shocked at some of the sticker prices for some trucks on the lot that could be had for $10-$15k less in Alberta than in other parts of Canada. I would have expected the opposite but I suspect our local economy is playing a factor with oil not being quite as profitable as it was 10 years ago.
As someone else mentioned, "Fleet" trucks are not so "fleet" anymore, with many companies caring for their employees via enhancing the work environment -- which means less bare-bones Work Trucks, and more creature comforts in the trucks these companies are spec'ing. That being said, some companies will order these "Fleet Plus" trucks, and some dealers will stock them in anticipation of companies selling them, but as company needs change they will either not take delivery of all the trucks they ordered, or if a dealer has ordered too many they will sell them fairly cheaply. They can make for great buys for those who need a truck. That's how we got the Silverado. It's a very basic WT, with tow package and crew cab, but it has some nice features -- air con, Apple Car Play, and Cruise Control -- that make it a really excellent truck, and if someone wants a full size, this would serve as a good base for an Overland build. It was had new off the lot with zero kms for less than $28K USD. Keep in mind that Canadians can sometimes pay up to 30% more for trucks in Canada than you do in the USA, so no matter how you slice it for a 'new truck' I got a fairly good deal by shopping for an un-sold "Fleet Plus" vehicle.
I can say with certainty that both the 4x4 systems in both of our trucks is different, but both offer low range. Our Canyon is the All Terrain package, with the 8 speed auto trans but it has an electronically switchable 4WD transfer case that includes the auto, low and high modes. The Silverado has a two speed transfer case with a shifter on the floor, all manual.
I would not buy an off-road vehicle without low range for overlanding. To me it's a safety feature for having the most controlled use of power and traction in precarious situations. But, the Mongol Rally is all the proof one needs that 4Lo is not required for an overland adventure!
shade
Well-known member
Wheels & tyres can be replaced.
Lots of Tesla Supercharger locations around North America, with more on the way, even in Montana.
It has two motors total, with 8.6" of ground clearance, and a 325 mile range.
The Model X meets many of your stated needs or desires, and it beats your wife's Jeep in many ways.
Let us know how it works out for you.
shade
Well-known member
Genital auto-mutilation aside, was there an argument in there somewhere?
Last I checked, even the most awesomest bestest kewlest overlandandier can't extract and refine oil in all the mysterious little spots between the labeled bits of the map.
But even a friend that's hanging out with you on Lake Superior could deploy a solar array to recharge your X.
shade
Well-known member
No problem at all. Just camp longer.Get out that suntan lotion then'cause I'm pretty sure I can carry portable containers full of refined petroleum (and refined corn), equally sure there's no practical e-Jerry-cans, and further have a strong suspicion that there's a small math problem involved in relying on portable solar arrays as a range extender.
Shhh ... you're supposed to let David point these things out.
Get out that suntan lotion then
Oh I know, I could bring a 230V genset, and THEN I could bring a bunch of jerry cans to charge! Wait, easier just to use IC engine in the first place...
I'm all for electrification, all city buses and delivery / mail trucks should be electric, IMHO. However, us overlanders are absolutely the last group to be electrified. By nature, we travel far and away from energy sources, places that simply won't have access to charging stations.
rho
Lost again
Totally on point with not needing a 4x4 for a lot of adventures. We scrapped searching for a new truck in favor of going through and refreshing (and making the suspension better suited for our high speed desert romps!) our Sierra that we've had for a while and its been in the fam for forever. Its a great, known truck.
That said, finding lower trim trucks for anything remotely approaching a reasonable cost in the bay is hard given all the Contractor Cadillacs that are stocked to over abundance here.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
If I had unlimited time on my hands it would be fun to go and pull out some truck magazine or brochure from the 1960's and compare what was considered an "adequate" tow vehicle in terms of towing capacity, HP and torque. I would guess that even the "base model" V6 trucks (which every knowledgeable "truck guy" would tell you to avoid if you want to pull a trailer) has more HP and torque than even a "heavy duty" truck or SUV in the 1960's.
Having said that, though, I'm not sure it would be a 100% apples-to-apples comparison. Sure, a "heavy duty" V8-powered truck in the 1960's might have "only" had 250 hp, but it had no crumple zones, air bags, or interior plastic and was likely lighter overall. It also had no power steering, air conditioner or automatic transmission sucking power away from the engine. The 1960's truck also likely had a manual transmission with lower gears and/or a lower final drive, which made the 250hp "feel" like it had more power.
MOguy
Explorer
I have a 79 K30 dually, it has a GM crate motor (carbureted) with more power than stock but it probably doesn't much more towing capability (maybe not as much) as a new 1/2 or 3/4 ton. It is defiantly smaller in size. My 79 K30 does get better gas mileage (about 13mpg) than my work truck 2015 (about 8 mpg) one ton super duty but I have to run e85 in it.
There is definitely no comparison when it comes to towing (and comfort) between the modern trucks and older ones.
As far as transmissions. Auto have come along way and power wise I am sure the new 6-8 speed autos are far more efficient then my old granny low+3 gear standard trans.