RE: Best engine of the year (again)
Three cylinder, 1000cc turbocharged.....engine of the year ? I hope I'm not reduced to driving a vehicle with an engine smaller than many motorcycle engines.
What a dinky little engine. I wonder if it will fit into a model airplane:)
Do you think it might ? ;)
RE: Gas engine and Diesel of same specs.Pull the same.
There is no replacement for displacement is what I've seen posted here numerous times. It will be interesting to see if they'll have any comments on this.
I agree with you, with one exception, which is....unless the displacement is augmented by forced induction such as turbo charging or supercharging.
RE: Prius towing a travel trailer? Yes.
How long is that TT? Looks remarkably large for a single axle trailer.
Not back in the 1960's. My family camped regularly...all summer...during the '60's and this trailer isn't that unusual.
RE: Prius towing a travel trailer? Yes.
I was standing right there. It was hooked up to the Prius.
I didn't say anything, but after I put my 2 kids in the car and slid the pizza in the trunk in the trunk I managed to snap this picture.
None of my business what people tow with just thought it was funny to see a Prius hooked up to a trailer at Costco in Silverdale Wa.
Pretty sure his gas mileage is going suffer. :)
http://imageshack.us/a/img197/8864/prius.jpg
You can swear all you want, but the guy standing in front of the trailer screws up your story real bad!!
He is standing on this side of the tongue, but the "tongue jack" is behind him!!
Nice optical illusion, but just that!
I would say your view is simply opinion, not fact. I've read your rationale and looked at the photo...I'm not convinced you're right.
I would need to clearly see...which I can't with the car obscuring the Prius and trailer and possibly the hitch.
RE: Two wheel drive or 4x4?
I have a 4wd because we get snow 5 months of the year here in Canada (fun right?). 2wd trucks are all but useless here, and very hard to sell/find unless they are for commercial use where the guys that buy them aren't the ones that have to drive them.
This image was taken not far from where I live. Yes, we got enough snow this year to stop a freight train.
http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.1207161!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg width=650
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxIZg4yplc8/UWckjR7jFDI/AAAAAAAA5Qk/pNdvhoeY-ck/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg width=650
I live in the province next door to Saskatchewan and directly above North Dakota. Our winters are similar. In fact the TV show Ice Road Truckers films here....in Manitoba and Alaska.
2WD... is not "useless" up here. I would say most vehicles are 2WD...cars, trucks...emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances....invariably until the Crown Vic was discontinued...police cars too...were for the most part 2WD.
In emergency situations...emergency vehicles are often the only vehicles on the road and many of them are 2WD.
Yes....many departments in Western Canada are NOW looking at replacing their aging police package fleets with the new Ford Interceptor (Taurus) AWD....but then this is also the case in sun belt states. Other that police package SUV's...before the Taurus police package...AWD was not available or in use for police packages.
Years ago I worked on a family farm...driving 2WD pickups, grain trucks and also drove commercial 2WD trucks...E 300, E 350, F 600/700 trucks. No real problems. Occasionally we got stuck...but when we did..generally 4WD pickups would of got stuck too. When we got stuck in drifts, etc....the only thing that dragged us out were usually farm tractors or grain trucks with tandem drive axles...and after they had taken a run to get momentum to yank and then drag us out with a chain.
In the winter....we drove each day, unless the highways were closed by the RCMP or the city streets were closed by city police. Rarely....maybe once every 5-10 years were city roads closed. Highways, due to drifting were closed more often, but still not a lot.
Heavy snow driving was/is a matter of course up here and as you know...in the prairies we didn't know what a 'snow day' was up here.
My son has a 2WD truck with a locking axle and the factory off road package. So far hasn't been stuck in 5 winters. I generally drive a large Buick sedan...2WD, FWD, electronic traction aid...really good Michelin tires and I regularly go down back country and farm roads that are snow covered.
I've been driving winters since '65. I use prudence and common sense. I carry an emergency kit...shovel, steel traction bridges...snowshoes, winter clothes, food, back country maps, compass...stuff everybody should carry during winters up here. Rarely used it....bu it's there.
When I drive down winter back roads if I see deep snow...I stop and 'walk' it first....making a judgement whether it's drivable. Precautions everybody should take.
A problem with 4WD is that it can give a driver a false sense of it's abilities. No doubt it can go through deeper snow than 2WD....but often it provides a false sense of security to the poor driver and the 4WD can get further into deeper snow...where it get's hung up...50 yards past where the tow truck's winch hook will reach. :)
We've all seen a poor driver in a 4WD pickup, SUV, Jeep whip along in unsafe winter conditions...then slide into a snow filled ditch.
What I'm saying is that 4WD is not necessarily needed. Can it be a good option ? Sure.
Is is something we want or need ? In a number of instance I think it is something an individual wants, rather than needs.
Given that most of the RV Net members live in either the USA or Canada...both democracies...people are free to choose what they drive. Nothing wrong with that.
But I think we need to be careful advocating that 4WD is absolutely necessary. If winter conditions are that bad all the time...4WD vehicles will not cut it...instead maybe those who are mired in deep snow should be looking at tracked vehicles.
;) I'm kidding....just a bit. :)
RE: Tips on to go orders and....
BTW...I tip...but I don't know why I do ...but don't tip the gas station attendant who fills my tank, washes my window...checks my oil, etc ?
Lessmore, where did you find that kind of service????
Funny you should ask. Only at the local provincial Co-op gas station.
I don't get that service from the big international conglomerate gas stations. They have one person duty, behind the cash register. The Co-op has attendants who will fill, wash windows, add oil, other fluids, etc.
Also I get money back....so much per liter...once a year at the station I get gas.
In my province within about the past two decades the Co-op gas stations have taken over about 1/3 to 1/5 of the gas business.
Great service...no tipping.
RE: Tips on to go orders and....
These responses crack me up!....I work in a restaurant and I have come to realize that THE MOST DEMANDING,UNREASONABLE,DIFFICULT, (can't please them no matter how HARD you try), customers are ALWAYS the one's who DON'T tip!!......Where I work, we all SHARE the tips, so if you pick up a phone order, if you tip, you're also tipping the COOK!........Because I rely on tips, I'm a HEFTY tipper myself.
I'd have to agree with you based on relatives who are or have been in the food service industry.
What about all the other industries people work at ? They don't get tips ...many ...have more difficult, demanding jobs than those in the food industry.
Just why are food industry types...feel they are entitled to tips ?
BTW...I tip...but I don't know why I do ...but don't tip the gas station attendant who fills my tank, washes my window...checks my oil, etc ?
Maybe someone can explain why one industry....demands that tipping take place ?
RE: Tips on to go orders and....
If you're picking up...why tip ? Also what is it about the restaurant business ? Gas station attendants, many people who work at minimum wage in retail....everywhere else don't get tips.
I never did when I was working at my minimum wage job.
Why does the restaurant business feel entitled to 'tips' ?
Beyond me.
RE: Two wheel drive or 4x4?
Do they even sell 2WD in N Dakota :W Funny I was talking with a salesman about a new truck couple of weeks back. Was telling him what I wanted and mentioned 4WD and he chuckled and said thats all we sell :B
Of course they do....and they also sell 2WD trucks further north in Canada.
Even Canada has "Banana belts" but there isn't one around here.
My driveway requires 4WD in winter, no if, ands or buts :B 4k elevation at 49* north.
http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss253/rick83864/winter/Img_0476.jpg width=640
No banana belt where I live and those snow drifts on the side, look like they're about 6 feet high or so. No way your going to get your 4WD pickup through those...unless your using a winch.
What did your forebears or you do in the '40's, 50's and '60's before 4WD became common ?
RE: Two wheel drive or 4x4?
Do they even sell 2WD in N Dakota :W Funny I was talking with a salesman about a new truck couple of weeks back. Was telling him what I wanted and mentioned 4WD and he chuckled and said thats all we sell :B
Of course they do....and they also sell 2WD trucks further north in Canada.
RE: Bought new tires today, gone are the Michelins!
:h
Um, ah ???????
Aren't you supposed to put some 500 miles on a vehicle BEFORE towing??????
Of course, I could be reading this all wrong. I'm just assuming you just got it new at the dealer and hooked up/towed immediately.
Whatever, it is a great looking combination you have there.
It was a dealer trade so it had 178 miles on it when purchased (drove from a dealership in Wyoming to Billings, MT)' then about another 50 from the wife and I cruising around. Close enough for me. My last Ram I had I bought with 8 miles on it and hitched up right away. Who reads the manual anyways?
Edit- sorry if the above sounds a little harsh. Yes, for the rear end gears I know. I also am into some motor sports and we put new gears in and track the cars right away. Engine wise.....well I would rather drive it like I stole it from the get go. I break in all my engines the same. By flogging them.....especially two strokes.
Well...each to his own I guess.
I always follow manufacturer's break in recommendations...and add a bit more...whether it's vehicle's powertrain, tires, brakes....I do it.
Even with my motorcycles....over the many years...both 2 strokers in the past and 4 strokers.
One question I have....you say "Engine wise.....well I would rather drive it like I stole it from the get go".
Why do you choose to drive it during break in like that ?
Not saying you're wrong...who knows...maybe I'm too old and traditional....I could be missing something. Wouldn't be the first time.:)
I have heard of others doing hard break ins.
RE: Big Block to EcoBoost
"5.3L V-8 certified at 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque"
This is a big improvement, but it doesn't beat the Ecoboost at 365 & 420.
Traditionally Ford's horses have been Shetland Ponies and Chevy's horses have been Clydesdale's. :D
RE: Best engine of the year (again)
Second year in a row for Ford to win the award. http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/the-humble-ecoboost-drives-ford-to-greatness.html/?ref=YF
Three cylinder, 1000cc turbocharged.....engine of the year ? I hope I'm not reduced to driving a vehicle with an engine smaller than many motorcycle engines.
Although the way gas prices are going...somehow it wouldn't surprise me if this type of engine was in a future car.
I'm not crazy about turbos or superchargers....would rather have more cubic capacity and more cylinders.
RE: Beavers Attacking... Yep you read that right
I was fishing at a small river a few years ago. A loud, noisy guy was letting his large dogs run ...unleashed...in the park...supposed to be leashed.
His dogs surprised a large beaver on the river bank, cornered it....the beaver got into the water. The dogs followed into the water...looking for it aggressively.
All of a sudden there was a yelp...then blood in the water. The guy got his wounded dog...and ran off I figure to the vet.
Don't corner a wild animal.
I'm a dog lover and an animal lover. What I can't countenance is an irresponsible human....owning dogs.
RE: Surely Enough ??
You should have the power for it, though the axle ratio is less than ideal for towing. Can't answer as to reliability; it IS a GM, after all. ;)
Reliability...as it's a GM... should be fine.
If it was a Toyota I'd be concerned after the experience of our 2007 Toyota Matrix bought new. The thing has been a disaster and the number of recalls for further issues has been significant.
RE: Ford Ecoboost
Thanks for providing the tests on the new Chevy pickups. They look like winners. I've always been impressed with Chevy's truck V6's and V8's.
RE: Places to see in Wyoming and Montana
Thanks to everyone that has posted...also thanks Mowermech for the invite to coffee.
If anyone has any additional travel ideas please post. My wife suggested that we print this thread and incorporate many of the ideas into the travel plans.
RE: Ford Ecoboost
Ford has the number one Series truck only because they add all the F-series vehicles together. Note the ad they say Ford F-Series trucks not F-150 but F-series.
Care to cite your statistics to back up that claim? The numbers don't support it.
Here's mine (for 2012):
Motor Trend Article
Ford F-series: 645,316
Chevy Silverado: 418,312
GMC Sierra: 157,185
Admittedly it's been a while since I took an arithmetic class, but last time I checked, 645,316 was still more than 575,497. By a lot.
The margin was only about 20,000 trucks in 2011, but still in Ford's favor. First quarter this year, and the margin is already more than 15,000, again in Ford's favor.
What has happened in domestic vehicle sales. None of these top sellers nowadays even approach the heady days of the 1960's. For example...the 1965 Chevy Impala sales were:
"Totally redesigned in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the U.S., which has never been bettered." *1
These '65 Impala sales are even more impressive...considering that this was only...Impala sales and didn't even consider the Biscayne and Bel Air...which were essentially the same car as the Impala...but with different trim. Wonder what the total sales of the full size Chevy were back in '65....wouldn't be surprised if they were double those of the F 150.
I don't know about you...but I'd love to be able to buy a 340 HP / 409...or the 396 Rat motor...425 HP....new...in a '65 Impala SS...or a 365 hp/ 426 wedge in a Mopar....or a 345 hp/ 428 in a Mercury or Ford Galaxy....right now. ;)
Now you can't live in the past....but the 1960's were the days of the big, full sized, V8, RWD cars....Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc.
I'm convinced that the reason for modern day pickups being at the top of sales all the time...is because North Americans want...full sized vehicles...loaded with options..powered by V8 (or turbo V6's or diesels)....and RWD or 4WD.
For the most part....pickups are the only game in town with these features for domestics...aside from a few current Mopar cars.
*1 Wikipedia
