How Ford F150s have lowered U.S. gasoline use

[roamer_1]

Going up and down steep hills could barely feel I was hauling anything..truck wasn't even struggling. On the highway I had to remind myself I was pulling something I think the truck has  14k towing capacity.

I have found a Chevy 3/4T heavy can pull anything a 1T can... it's the stopping that gets interesting.

[NavyCanDo]

We don't have a F150, but we do have a 2004 Explorer which is built on the same chassis, and has the same power train.  We are on its 3rd Radiator. Cheep plastic radiators cut down on the weight I suppose. Our trusted mechanic says to expect replacing it about every 3 years, from his experience.

[thackney]

We don't have a F150, but we do have a 2004 Explorer which is built on the same chassis, and has the same power train.  We are on its 3rd Radiator. Cheep plastic radiators cut down on the weight I suppose. Our trusted mechanic says to expect replacing it about every 3 years, from his experience.

Explorers were built on the Ranger Frame, Expedition on the F150, the Excursions were built on the F250.

BTW, we also have a 2004 Explorer.  We have never replaced the radiator.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

For years now they've been telling us Americans are driving less and less.

Somebody is cooking the books.

Could be a language thing.  If the average American drives 1% less miles, but the American population rises by 2%, "Americans are driving less and less" and "Americans are driving more and more" are both true statements.

[Hondo69]

Could be a language thing.  If the average American drives 1% less miles, but the American population rises by 2%, "Americans are driving less and less" and "Americans are driving more and more" are both true statements.

Good point.

We get a lot of oil news around here and lower demand has been cited as one of the reasons for lower oil prices.  The articles I've read in the past attribute this to a) more efficient engines/cars   and b) people are driving less total miles.

On the other hand, there was a report last year noting that the total value of car purchases exceeded that of home purchases, which is a whole other can of worms, but ties in here somewhere. 

[thackney]

Good point.

We get a lot of oil news around here and lower demand has been cited as one of the reasons for lower oil prices.  The articles I've read in the past attribute this to a) more efficient engines/cars   and b) people are driving less total miles.

On the other hand, there was a report last year noting that the total value of car purchases exceeded that of home purchases, which is a whole other can of worms, but ties in here somewhere.

Oil price is a global supply/demand factor.  Global demand has not gone down for years.  Demand grew slower than supply pushing the price down.  Normal seasonal swings but it has continued to grow.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I'm still way ahead of a new one, and it has been places most folks would not want to go.

The other things that come to mind are

- you really don't care that much for another ding in it, so that takes a load off your anxiety levels.

- others see the same thing and clear a path for you when on the road.

The cowcatcher in front of my old Bronco and my 10 year old F150 are effective advertising.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

My wife has a 2014 GMC  extended cab 2500 w/t  4x4 6.2 ltr with towing packge
Rubber floormats, crank window handles etc.

I just hauled a tractor on it to a show with a older borrowed construction hauler trailer that weighs probably 3000 lbs or more itself.. Tractor is 4400 lbs.

Going up and down steep hills could barely feel I was hauling anything..truck wasn't even struggling. On the highway I had to remind myself I was pulling something I think the truck has  14k towing capacity.

Yours must be a torque monster at 18k lbs

@Bigun

I was just recently very serious about getting a 6.2l in a used 2017 GMC 1500.  Didn't pull it off as it was maroon outside and inside and I couldn't bear driving Aggie colors.

[Smokin Joe]

You can run it on Sunoco 93 and octane boost.

We don't have a Sunoco in a couple hundred miles. Blend 91 no ethanol with 105 low lead avgas (no alcohol in aircraft fuel). Sigh...I miss real gasoline.

[Smokin Joe]

The other things that come to mind are

- you really don't care that much for another ding in it, so that takes a load off your anxiety levels.

- others see the same thing and clear a path for you when on the road.

The cowcatcher in front of my old Bronco and my 10 year old F150 are effective advertising.

Well, with that low a buy in, I just carry really good liability on it instead of comprehensive and collision. No loan, no full coverage mandated by a bank, and saved even more that way.

I drove a '75 G-10 cargo van out to the East Coast, with an off color door, a little ding in the right front, and a fresh engine/tranny/rear end (under 5K on all of them then). I hit 495 and was laughing at the vehicles trying to stay a lane and a few car lengths away from me.

[roamer_1]

We don't have a F150, but we do have a 2004 Explorer which is built on the same chassis, and has the same power train.  We are on its 3rd Radiator. Cheep plastic radiators cut down on the weight I suppose. Our trusted mechanic says to expect replacing it about every 3 years, from his experience.

Any radiator shop can build one to spec. And at that rate, I'd pay for a brass or aluminum one...