Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 6, 2021 17:38:50 GMT -8
Question, how does one recharge a car if the battery goes dead on the road? It's probably not as easy as lugging a 5 gallon gas can to the disabled vehicle. Having to plan a trip around charging stops kinda takes away some of the fun for me. I like taking detours on longer trips. get to see some cool stuff. i've often racked up 500 miles taking a 150 mile trip. Related, hows the service network? A late model Chevy truck can be serviced pretty much evrywhere on the planet, heck, even 40 year old Chevy trucks can be. We don’t plan on running out. We never let the gas tank run on fumes, and we don’t with the EV. We also take side trips, but charging hasn't been a problem. Unlike gas stations, the cost of the charge doesn’t change much, and they are always open. We don’t always do a full charge, sometimes just enough to get us to the next charger with 15% remaining. The only time One of the fun things is that we would not have stopped in some of the small towns that we’ve really enjoyed if we hadn’t wanted to charge. That being said, there are a few places that we can’t get to just yet, one being parts of North Cascades and Glacier National Parks, but it won’t be long. The service network is still pretty small, but since there aren’t many moving parts to wear out for several years, most issues can be taken care of by a phone call and it’s usually just a reset or software tweak. The motors and drive train have very few moving parts, which helps. Things like power windows, seats, a/c and heating aren’t really any different than an ICE car, you just get service where you picked up the car. |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 6, 2021 17:44:41 GMT -8
My guilt surrounding driving my 2006 GMC Sierra(at 14.7mpg)around town is countered by the fact my wife does way more driving than me, and she gets 50 mpg in her 9 year old Prius. I think that the Detroit auto makers will be amazed at the popularity of electric pickup trucks. I just wish they would tone down all the electronic gizmos. I like old fashioned analog gauges, don't want or need a back up camera, etc. The cost could be a lot less if they'd just keep it a simple work truck. I don't see myself spending $60K for anything that I can't live in, and that doesn't float or fly. It was a little odd getting used to a computer screen, but cars have been moving away from analog anyway. Heck, our X-3 told me if I needed to add oil, it didn’t even have a dipstick. THAT was hard for a gal who used to change the oil and do a tune up on her 1986 Jeep Cherokee. But my hubby enjoys playing a game of chess with the car when he’s waiting somewhere for me! :-) |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Feb 8, 2021 7:39:12 GMT -8
This is pretty cool. I applaud your entry into the future. Interesting that you have basically a four wheel drive vehicle, something that I need for our country home and its ridiculous 700 foot steep driveway.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 8, 2021 17:23:29 GMT -8
This is pretty cool. I applaud your entry into the future. Interesting that you have basically a four wheel drive vehicle, something that I need for our country home and its ridiculous 700 foot steep driveway. Yup, it’s AWD, which came in handy when we hit snow going the couple miles up a dirt road today. Its not unusual for us to drive dirt roads, and this one car will have to serve as sedan, tow vehicle, van, truck, and occasionally as a “tent” when pulling the trailer isn’t convenient. It was a bit spendy, but we sold four other cars and a boat to buy it, so our out of pocket cost was pretty small. I know this isn't thé right vehicle for everyone, but it’s exciting to anticipate what’s “coming down the road” in a few years. As Will Ferrell said in the GM Super Bowl ad, “We can’t let little Norway show us up!” (I’m 100% Norwegian and I thought the ad, and Audi’s ads to answer it, were hilarious and thought provoking.) |
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Feb 11, 2021 16:24:34 GMT -8
Personally, I tend to like engine noise. Especially a 6.5 liter v8 or 5.9 liter diesel.
I also dislike all the doo dads and tech toys. Not so much dislike but have no use for.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 12, 2021 10:08:39 GMT -8
There are a lot of “doo dads” available, but we also have little use for them. There is one we love, it’s called “Dog Mode.” It keeps the car at a set temperature when we have to leave The pooch and has a picture of a happy dog on the screen saying all is well, it’s 72 degrees (or whatever) inside. As far as engine noise, it can be one person’s joy and another’s bane. For lovers of rumbling engines, software is available that projects sounds outside the car. This includes engine noise or whatever you want to add yourself. I’m thinking of Beethoven’s 1812 Overture... complete with cannon fire. ;-)
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Feb 12, 2021 19:23:32 GMT -8
I'm not sure when (or where) I read it, but Ford Motor Co. spent a lot of dough designing an exhaust system for the reproduction "Mustang" that can produce several different exhaust sounds, with the push of a button. Sorry, but I think that is just a stupid waste of technological brain power that could have been used to better advantage. I agree with ruderunner, "Not so much dislike but have no need for".
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Feb 21, 2023 15:43:25 GMT -8
Back again. My 18 year old GMC Sierra has turned into a rust bucket. Poor old thing still runs great and has been very reliable. It is now a safety issue, so I'm finally going to have to find something to replace it soon.
I've spent hours online looking at used trucks. Has anyone have experience with a Nissan Frontier crew cab? They are rated at 6300 lbs tow capacity, can be found with 6 cylinder 4.0L. engine, 5 speed auto transmission.
I like the size of this truck and its simplicity. The basic design hasn't changed in 20 years. Pricing seems to be about $15K to $19K for 2014-2016 model year with about 100K miles. Our camper is 3200lbs fully loaded. I am used to towing with a full size Silverado or Sierra and am uncertain about the mid-size vehicles.
Would appreciate opinions.
Thanks!
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Post by vikx on Feb 22, 2023 12:38:23 GMT -8
I would want a full size truck for a camper of 3200 pounds. Just easier to tow and more stable. I'm sure others will have good things to say about mid size trucks but they are not for me with heavier rigs. Good luck on your search.
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Post by Teachndad on Feb 22, 2023 22:19:09 GMT -8
Back again. My 18 year old GMC Sierra has turned into a rust bucket. Poor old thing still runs great and has been very reliable. It is now a safety issue, so I'm finally going to have to find something to replace it soon. I've spent hours online looking at used trucks. Has anyone have experience with a Nissan Frontier crew cab? They are rated at 6300 lbs tow capacity, can be found with 6 cylinder 4.0L. engine, 5 speed auto transmission. I like the size of this truck and its simplicity. The basic design hasn't changed in 20 years. Pricing seems to be about $15K to $19K for 2014-2016 model year with about 100K miles. Our camper is 3200lbs fully loaded. I am used to towing with a full size Silverado or Sierra and am uncertain about the mid-size vehicles. Would appreciate opinions. Thanks! Hi Dad, I would suggest finding a Nissan Frontier forum and pose your question. As a member of the midsize truck club, I drive a first generation Honda Ridgeline, but capacity is limited to pulling 5,000 lbs. It gets the job done with my Rod and Reel which weighs 2400 lbs. I have always had good towing experiences. I wouldn't want to tow anything heavier with it when it comes to steeper longer grades. With the tow capacity raised for the Frontier to the higher 6300 lbs., it might work. But ideally it really comes down to real life experience from the folks that drive them. Horsepower is nice. Nice things are well, ...nice. Sometimes I wish for more, but I tow so seldom during the year and I don't go over any mountain passes, either. 98 percent of my driving is urban and sans trailer. I like the smaller sized truck in parking lots. Cheers, Rod |
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Feb 23, 2023 19:30:28 GMT -8
Thanks to both of you. I meant to mention that I've temporarily given up on the electric tow vehicle idea. If either the Ford Lighting or Canoo were actually obtainable (affordable) I'd be at the front of the line. I am 70 years old and have limited time and money.
Rod, I did spend time on a couple of forums as you suggested. It seems that our VTT guideline of using 50% of towing capacity for safety is not common practice. Most posts I read were about how to modify the standard Nissan Frontier to be able to tow 5000K lbs or more. Lots of talk about windage, gear shifting, suspension alterations, anti-sway bars, weight distribution stuff, etc. I already know that my trailer is aerodynamically terrible and my fuel consumption will reflect that.
All seems a bit backward to me. If you already own a tow vehicle, doesn't it make sense to search for a trailer that fits the towing capacity stated by the manufacturer? My situation is different in that I have a trailer that I want to keep, I need to find a practical tow vehicle. I think the Frontier will be OK, but I am still researching.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Feb 25, 2023 3:50:23 GMT -8
Part of the problem is that as trucks have gotten more popular, they've become more car like. Especially under the 3/4 ton heavy duty stuff.
More people are buying them as status symbols vs their utilitarian history. As such the springs have gotten softer for ride quality, which makes them less stable when towing.
Personal experience bears that out. My 92 Dodge has a chassis that went into production around 72. On paper it was comparable to our 2011. In reality it was soooo much better that we ended up selling the 11. Didn't do it often but the 92 could handle our Jayco without weight distribution and sway control but the 11 was a scary handful. Just too soft.
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