interesting small diesel truck

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

Would a VW TDI pull a 16 footer?

Lucky Day · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

I am an ardent diesel proponent, based on years of experience with compression ignition engines. I drove about 1-million miles in Cat and Cummins powered 18-wheelers. I've owned a '79 VW Rabbit diesel, a '95 Mercedes 300d, and best of all - I had an '06 Mercedes E320cdi. The cdi was f-f-f-FANtastic - smile-inducing ROBUST acceleration and OUTSTANDING fuel economy. I regularly got 26mpg in all-city driving and 37-39 mpg on the highway. And believe me, I was never late to anything due to the car being too slow!

Expanding the clean diesel-powered US automobile fleet would be a huge step forward for the country, both from the fuel consumption standpoint and from the greener-emissions standpoint. Not to mention the option of stretching petro-diesel with varying biodiesel blends. I don't think Americans would reject modern diesels if they drove one. The exhausts don't even smell bad. The list of advantages goes on and on compared to other existing alternatives (don't get me started). I suspect many C-brats are already aware of the benefits.

marvin4239 · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:10 am Post subject:

lloyds · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

As far as I know, the only thing holding us back is EPA ratings and studies. Most of the stuff overseas won't meet the current spec's. I love my diesel and will probably never go back to gas. I would even consider the yanmar diesel outboards if they would send them to Jenny Craig for a little slimming. I know Les isn't too wild about the current crop of inboard diesels but I think they are making great gains in engineering. I really believe the future looks bright for diesels on the road and on the water.

ken westrope · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject:

I have a diesel Grand Cherokee ,yes it gets 25 mpg /18 city also 14mpg towing my cd-25. No issues with gears yet . is 5 spd awd., up stevens pass 4th geartowing the 25 apprx 40mph.

thataway · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

Byrdman--Gear Venders has made an over/under drive for many years. I have used them on trucks and RV's. They are available for most vehicles, with a little adaption in some cases. You can put the appropiate rear end ratio and get a good boast in performance.

Unfortunately many of the more recent diesels are getting worse mileage (read emissions control--hopefully this will be solved at some point). Dodge Sprinter down about 20%, I hear the same for latest Dodge trucks. Some of the other light trucks have relitatively "new" engines, so may not be comperable.

A couple of years ago, I saw a rig with an Isuzu cab foreward with a relitatively small diesel, which had a utility body and was pulling a 40 foot 5th wheel. The owner told me that it was a little slow over the grades but never dropped below 45 mph--not bad. As I recollect he was getting over 15 miles a gallon.

breausaw · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject:

One reason small diesels have been keep out of the US is because they can’t meet current EPA emission standards.
Until the refiners in the US change their ways, diesel fuel well bring a premium at the pump and erase any gains achieved by owning an efficient diesel automobile. Refineries in the US are engineered and designed to produce more gasoline then diesel, the opposite is true in Europe.
So at this point, current economics would seem to dictate that if more diesel vehicles appear on our US highways diesel prices will ski rocket.
Re-tooling of our existing refineries to reflect that of Europe is indicated if we are to switch to a more economical efficient diesel driven society.

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:34 am Post subject:

Wow... Some interesting reading stuff here guys.

Thanks to all for this link.

Byrdman

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:55 am Post subject:

Have seen lots of local ads for their small tractors. Wish Kubota would make a small diesel truck! Even better, one that my backhoe would hook up to!! Rolling Eyes

Charlie

ckollerer · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:41 am Post subject:

Yes, the price of diesel fuel "will come down." Last summer, I purchased both a Ranger 25 (Cummins 150hp diesel) and a Ford F-350 Super Duty, to pull the Tug, of course. At that moment in California, in Sacramento, diesel was $5.19 a gallon, and I seriously questioned my own sanity.
However, my brother runs a constructions company in San Francisco that tows heavy materials all over the Bay Area, and they swear by hefty Ford diesel trucks, and they convinced me that, when you really need it (steep climbs, extra heavy payloads---read: full tanks of diesel and water on the boat, plus lots of personal stuff in cabinets, curvey downgrades on narrow highways) THEN, you must have extra capacity beyond technical tow ratings and safety standards.
Having towed Blue Bayou over 6 mountain passes above 8000 ft since then, numerous boat ramps, etc. I agree. Meanwhile, the price of diesel in Martinez, CA, is now $2.99. I wasn't crazy, after all.

morris_rl · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf said in part:

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Anyone know of an efficient diesel bicycle or tricycle for old guys?

Joe.

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http://www.dieselbike.net/

Wink

Sam Walker · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

Hey Joe, there was a company working on a diesel powered Kawasaki KLR motorcycle for the US military. The good news is that it is supposed to get almost 100 mpg. The bad news it takes a $5500 motorcycle and turns it into a $17000 motorcycle. Only the good ol' US of A could do that.

Aiviq · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

The mahindra website is listing the "hauling" capacity as "1.25 tons" - 2,500 lbs, I guess. Looks like a nice little truck.

http://www.mahindrana.com/Vehicles.html