Car 2013

Will Congress Turn Our Pickup Trucks Into a Dinosaur

Did you read in the paper last week I heard on the news that the Federal Government has mandated that Automobile manufactures are increasing the minimum gas mileage/ Congress has signed into law that the standards for gas mileage to be 35.5 for cars and trucks.

Now I drive a small truck, and that got me to thinking. Id love to get that kind of mileage on mine. I drive a Dodge Dakota, you know the little brother of the big Dodge trucks.

Even though its not a full size truck, it does have a full size appetite, at least to me. I get fifteen to seventeen miles a gallon.

There are a number of reasons by trucks are not as gas efficient as a car. The first is that generally they have larger engines, so by default, they generally burn more gas. Also a larger engine is heavier, so that cuts the gas mileage down also.

The second is higher wind resistance. Cars today are much more aerodynamic than trucks, and you also have wind resistance if you have an uncovered bed. But even if you have a cover on the bed of the truck, your gas mileage will not be equal to a car.

The third is the difference in the rear end. No, not the driver, (even though that may be a possibility,) but trucks are designed not only as transportation; many people use them to pull trailers, boats, campers etc. Having a rear end designed for towing reducing fuel efficiency.

The last is that trucks are heavier than cars. Simple dynamics. It takes more energy to move a heavier weight.

Now to focus on normal trucks, like mine, or the ram, or the Ford 150, etc,

In 2012 the manufacturer has to have them get twenty five miles a gallon, but by 2016, they have to get 28.3.

What are they going to have to do to hit that mark?

I think that the makers are going to have to do the same things that theyre doing to cars.

The problem with that is, we dont use our trucks like we use cars. Can you see a Prius towing a Boat? Or a Corolla pulling a 16 foot camper? No way.

I dont think Congress gets it. How can you go against simple physics? It takes a lot of energy to pull these, and to do so that vehicle has to be designed to haul that pay load.

When the makers get to that point, will they simply stop producing these vehicles? Will you have to spend thousands of dollars in modifications to simply haul your boat or Jet Ski?

This will also mean reduction in recreational items like campers, boats, and travel trailers. Will this also affect the people that make the supporting item, like skis, life jackets, etc.

Over 8 million light trucks are made each year. (And Im not talking about SUVs. Thats a lot of damage this will do to our economy.

Now there are exemptions, such as farm use, etc. But for us guys that fall outside, they are screwing with our quality of life, arent they?

So they only option we will have is that we will NOT buy these abominations made to look like a honest hard working truck, and well have to keep our faithful trucks for a lot longer than we normally have been.

Of course, that also means that well be spending less, so we can focus more on the upkeep.

I have other blogs posted that has tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle, and that will be even more important for our trucks. Also check out the other article I did that will show you how to use a HHO generator to increase your gas mileage 20 to 40 percent, and has the added benefit of reducing emissions that can fail your vehicle. Guys, this bill has passed, and you need to let Congress know how damaging this can be.