RE: Ford news...
The problem is that the hybrid is only offered on the Luxury model. This means that instead of investing $2000 more for the Hybrid option you must pay at least $4500. The buyer must do 75 - 80% city driving to save $90 - $120 per month on fuel over 9000 annual miles (figured when fuel was $3.50).
Note to MFR. The new "environmentally friendly" cloth itches a little less than a wool coat. Because of this issue, putting the hybrid on the XLT model might not work so well either.
Besides, it only totes only 5 people instead of 7 and can't tow 7000 lbs like the 2003 Mountaineer.
RE: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Hybrids are all over the board. Hybrid simply means alternate system for saving and reusing power.
Most hybrids models are regenerative braking / battery / motor recovery only (Silverado some half tons). There is minimal loss of towing on these. Minimal gain in fuel mileage.
Full hybrids use regenerative braking recovery, with the engine driven generator/motor (between engine & transmission. These come in 2 varieties.
1) Smaller/st engine Maximum Mileage. Example Ford Escape Hybrid. The engine and motor must run for maximum performance. This Hybrid has no towing capacity.
2) Regular Engine just all the Hybrid gear. Example 2008 Tahoe. Rated to tow 6000 lbs (around 1200-1800 lbs less than the standard Tahoe.
Just be aware, that hybrid probably means no or less towing at this time. The full hybrid system is a clever cross between a Diesel locomotive (which can wait to power up for excelleration) and the American step on the gas for instant perforance response.
RE: Big oil, what can we the people do about it???????
Big oil is what the News Media, Politicians and Environmentalits want you to believe. 75% of our fuel needs (60% Crude Oil and 15% gasoline) comes from outside our country. In 1970, this was only 30 - 40%. Profits go mainly to Arabs and Dictators, not "Big Oil". "Big Oil" controls less than 25% of our oil needs, but helps develope their resources, and sometimes helps them manage resources.
You can pay for your gas with a credit card, the "oil" companies cannot. They have to anticipate price changes and be ready to transfer all funds to the seller at the time of sale. The "oil" companies do the same thing with the gas station owners. "Big Oil" prices to insure supply and profit to Stockholders, i.e. 401K's (largest investors), pension funds, investment companies, trusts, individuals, other companies, employees & executives.
I live in a state that taxes businesses at over 11%. To survive world competition, businesses move to another state with less taxes or out of the country. Then we're really smart, we call them greedy, increase regulation, tax more to pay for regulation, and lose even more jobs.
We live in a capitalist economy, when the price goes high enough, someone finds a way to supply your needs. BUT, if you are not permitted or discouraged to do so, (Pure Socialism & Pure Environmentalism) demand continues to rise and so will the price. The world market is an open Capitalistic market that we are handing dictatorial powers to a select few by not producing our own.
We are "STUCK ON STUPID" . . . SOMEWHERE STUPID HAS TO STOP !
If you really want action,
1)DUMP ANY POLITICIAN who votes against any REASONABLE development of natural resources or expansion of plants (yep, don't want to make Bambi and wildflowers extinct either). Every year reasonable proposals to do so fail by a handful of votes.
Funny thing, 2 environmentalist politicians left office 7 years ago, barely with less than $2 Million in net worth now report over $100 Million in net worth. These two are the first to ever increase at such a phenominal rate !
2) Judges rule against developing resources. Install Judges that give an opinion of "yes" or "no" to laws, and follow remedies created by the passed laws. Judges regularly rule in favor of environmental causes and declare remendies where none are legislated. Remedies & Laws are to be written by lawmakers who are elected by you so you have a voice in being made and they can be changed by you when found by the general public as unacceptable. Judgements last until someone with enough money, and time can get to a judge who actually follows the Law. Removing Judges who go their own way is called "Impeachment" - That means going to Congress with complaints. We have impeached maybe 2 judges in 10 - 20 years.
3) and LIMIT the power of any regulating AGENCY State or local. They write their own rules based somewhat off passed congressional legislation. We have 60 or 90 days to review, comment, and try to get them changed. These regulations are the size of a large city phone directory, so they are rarely challenged. Once adopted they are harder to change than an act of God because of items 1) & 2)
Or, we can go on wishing things were different and using these forums to complain. Posts are entertaining though.
RE: tow-vehicle "efficiency ratio"
Off the cuff here. Semis get 6 - 7.5 MPG. Actual payload is 45-55,000 lbs. Triples are limited to something like 150,000 lbs or payload of about 105,000? 7.5 x 27.5 = 206 Ton-Miles and 6 x 52.5 = 315 ton-miles.
RE: Towing 28' TT with Trailblazer
The extended length Trailblazer has a decent WB for an SUV. The Ultra-light design makes it fit within the weight a Trailblazer can handle. The lack of understanding about cause and effect with weight vs trailer length is the real story here.
The lighter weight makes the trailer easier to pull, but will make the trailer more prone to sway from passing trucks and cross winds.
The weight of trailer is the first defense against cross winds and passing winds. When the force of the winds exceed the weight resistance of the trailer and the resistance provided by the TV with sway control, sway occurs.
Maximum Trailer length for this weight and size of SUV should be held to less than 27'-0" total, centerline of ball to rear bumper. At 27' there will be some uncomfortable moments at the very least.
The whole point of camping is to get to the destination and back safely and have a good relaxing time the whole time. A larger, heavier TV would be better.
RE: New 2009 F150 kicks the "competition" in the Tailgate!
The "new" engine is the HO 4.6L V-8. The 4.3 has been dropped sliding the standard 4.6L V-8 to the small engine.
The 5.4 was to be replaced with a 6.2 L 2009, but it was not ready. It will appear in the 2010. The HP & Torque numbers make the Toyota look like a toad especially since the maximum torque & HP are around 800 rpms lower than Toyota & not at the redline.
"Industry insiders" i.e. the competition don't understand the significance of what Ford is up to. Or maybe have dropped the ball in their last redesigns.
All - new frame. Had to be done to bring F-250 features down and make room for a larger gas engine. What they did is elevate the truck to 3/4 ton capabilities that cannot be given until a the 6.2 L engine is added. Look for an increase of 500 - 800 lbs payload & 1500 - 2500 lbs additional towing for 2010.
RE: towing tips in ice and snow ?
Snow is one thing, Ice & untreated is another. I saw a guy in a FWD van with a light & loaded 4x8 trailer. He was on an snowy, icy street, I watched him slide right by with the brakes locked.
My dad got caught in a rain to ice storm. All he noticed was ice starting to form on his mirrors, and then people start sliding. He had to avoid some in trouble nearly causing him to jacknife himself. He managed to get his 16,000+ GCWR fiver of the road. Once the road was treated everything was fine again, but he decided to leave for the south earlier the next year.
RE: Ford Explorer V-8
There is no comparison from 1997 - 2001 vs 2002 - 2007 vs 2008 + Explorers/Mountaineers.
'02+ has 24 HP more, - 6 ft-lbs of torque, + 300 lbs GVWR, +600 lbs GCWR, better brakes, stiffer suspension, 5 sp trans vs 4 spd, 2 1/2" wider, 2" more Wheelbase 4" shorter caboose. 13/17 (AWD)pre 2002, 14/19 MPG 2002-2007
'08 43 HP more, 18 ft-lbs more torque, 6 sp Transmission. 15/20 mpg.
Assuming the TV is nearly at GVWR, the presence of good WD & sway control wich are properly fitted and adjusted, 27' actual trailer length is probably the longest for 2002+ years. The trailer box starts becoming too large to resist excessive cross wind induced sway. Pre 2002 should be less than 26'.
I get up to 21.5-22 highway on a 2003 4.6 L AWD. It's all about letting the engine do the work instead of forcing it to do the work. Learning that 10 - 15% improvement in fuel mileage in all conditions.
RE: Which Limits are valid
1. GCWR - MFR Warranties vehicle can handle
2. GVWR Tow Vehicle - MFR Warranties vehicle can handle
3. GVWR Trailer - MFR Warranties vehicle can handle
4. Hitch limit (WD or non WD)- GVWR limits this & WD reciever limits this
5. Axle limits - and overloaded axle will fail - GCWR can be met and still exceed the axle limit
8. Tire limits - people ignore this and are killed by this and tire age (4-5 years from date of MFR should be replaced if Steel belted radials)
9. Law (varies by state, who know what it is) - Ignorance of your state law is no excuse.
Some states set weight classes mainly to determine revenue. These do not have to follow the MFR recommendation. You can, in those states haul only what you pay for. In Pennsylvania, my Dad's truck MFR GVWR is 8650 lbs. At the time (1980) PA only offered something like 8250 & 8950 GVWR for licensing, the applicant got to pick the higher or the lower amount. He pays for the 8950, this was written into the title, and that's what he legally permitted to be.
RE: Truck class ratings
1/2 ton originally meant 1000 lbs minimum of cargo (people & material)
3/4 - 1500+ lbs 1 ton 2000+ lbs
What should be done is maximum people capacity + Cargo weight. Read the threads and that's what waaaay toooo many buy their TV's are thinking.
RE: Towing Capacity
Tow 7200 less these items
- Actual weight of TV occupants
- receiver weight
- ball mount, wd, & sway control weight.
Tongue weight aim for 11 - 12% of actual loaded trailer weight.
There are plenty of posts detailing how to use a bathroom scale to do this.
80% rule is a recent version of the 75% rule. It's intent is to the easy way for keeping people from overloading the TV and insuring enough power for country road hills. 100% is works okay for the interstates.
Maximum towing allowed varies from mfr to mfr. Maximum trailer often means the rating for a vehicle at sea level (2-3% loss per 1000 ft of altitude) with no options, does not include the weight of the driver or other passengers. Some MFRs are now allowing for a 150 lb driver.
Tongue weight is cargo weight for the TV just like passengers and gear. For your safety do not exceed either the GCWR (TV+Trailer + all passengers and cargo) or the GVWR (TV + Passengers + TV cargo(including Tongue weight)).
SUV's are a very touchy because of how the weight is distributed over the vehicle. This combo is a candidate to be over.
RE: Ford Owners Need Not Apply
Last I remember Dodge 3500 is limited to 23,000 GCWR Mercedes ML would be about 4000, A Skidsteer is 5-6000, Trailer 6000 (their number), plus switch ?gear. Pin Weight should be 2400 - 4000. Appears to be a little close to upper limit.
RE: New Ford 2009 pickups. WOW!
Of the Big 3 er Big 4, Ford is the most tight lipped. It's not to hide fromt the competition. They know that if they spill the guts too soon it hurts sales on the current models.
One thing that might come is a little higher output for the 5.4L V-8. Other than that tweaks to the 2008.
For 2010 - Revisions to the diesel system to meet 2010 emissions.
Some things that may be coming at some time ....
Roll-over stability system - just introduced to the 2009 f-150
A 6 speed HD Automatic transmission
A Possible 5.6L V-8 replacement for the 5.4 L V-8.
RE: New Ford 2009 pickups. WOW!
There are very few reasons to have spitting sparkplugs. Not enough thread on the plug opening - happened, newer has more threads. Improper tightening of the plug by the mfr, service department, do-it-yourselfer - happens. After market plug that claims to fit but really doesn't fit or work the same - happens.
But wait, the original plug is a platinum plug. At 60,000 inspect for rounded tip (replace), cracked porcelin (replace), Clean, adjust gap and put them back in for another 60,000 miles.
Ditching a make because of one of the smaller issues seems odd. I know people who will get 250,000 miles out of a vehicle who are ready for engine #3 and have had the transmission repaired / replaced 3 times and they think that is a great vehicle.
Then there is my favorite. A lady I worked with, took her domestic make car to the dealer at 30,000 miles for a window leak. They had to fix a water leak in the hatch back. Replace the mastercylnder and something else. Her comment "I didn't think that was too bad for 30,000 miles on a new car. WOW !
RE: The "evil plan" to comply with CAFE
Just occured to me, the air carbon estimates for previous years are taken from air bubbles trapped in ice in the arctic - usually. There aren't any plants in the arctic to re-process carbon.
The "evil plan" to comply with CAFE
On MSN.com today, a couple articles on how Ford intends deal with the new CAFE standard. An this is just one.
Democrats set milestone with automotive deal
Compromise wins industry support, would boost mileage standards 40%
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22082524/
"Ford CEO Alan Mulally said Monday that the automaker would be able to meet the new, tougher requirements without having to abandon any of its lower-mileage truck or SUV lines".
As of Today, here's what will happen to the Explorer.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22527990/
Key Features, Unibody construction, a 6 cyliner gas engine, a 4 cylinder engine, and 3500 lb towing capacity. Wait a minute. . . . don't they already have that? Yup. It's called and Escape ! The trouble is Mr. Mularky and all you wonderfull polliticians; If that is what the consumer really needed and wanted, THEY HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT THEM.
This is the same solutions from the "70's". They didn't work then & they won't work now.
Isn't it about time to dump the politicians who won't let us tap the known 20 year supply of oil in our own borders or help build the conversion plants to tap the 50 year supply of oil trapped in the shale out west.
They won't do it because petroleum isn't Green. Get a life! Petroleum is the remains of all the plants and animals of years gone by.
RE: Towing with a 1995 s10 blazer
Sport usually means 2 door.
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/chevrolet/blazer/12946/specs.html
Rear overhang of 44". 44" + 8" (min for ball mount) = 52" to hitch point. 100.5/52 = 1.93 ratio. GVWR was something like 4600 lbs. What this all means with an SUV is that a trailer greater than the dry vehicle weight + 2 passengers is going to have it's way with you very easily.
RE: 2007 Mercury Mountaineer V-8 towing capability
Have both a 1998 and a 2003. Haven't towed with the 2003 (similar to 2007) but have with the '98. They with WD they are very capable and well behaved. Staying about 500 lbs below the GCWR will make the country road hills a lot easier. When over 4000 lbs of trailer consider locking the AT out of overdrive. The engine running 2800 - 3200 won't hurt anything and the TV will perform better. Maximum total trailer length, stay under 27' coupler to trailer bumper.
RE: Can I increase my towing capacity
This is a "make it work" proposal. Any of those I've seen usually costs more than getting the right fit in the first place. And that's coming from a being around a number of families who try to "make it work".
