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'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

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Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#151
post #29
post #3

They're going to make all-electric (and hybrid) options. What the headline first made me think was that the whole lineup would be all (=only) electric.

I was thinking the same thing. There isn't enough power generation capacity in the US to support something like that.

Not to mention you have a lot of work trucks operating remotely and in cold environments where you’re going to still need gas for a long long time.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#152
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "Texas Cadillac" Also known as the redneck cadillac.

I just learned that the term "redneck" actually comes from an old coal miner union strike that showed solidarity by using red kerchiefs hanging around their necks. I can't use that term in the same way ever again, fwiw.

> I just learned that the term "redneck" actually comes from an old coal miner union strike that showed solidarity by using red kerchiefs hanging around their necks.

Curious, I reasearched this. While that was indeed one use of the term (especially re: the West Virginia mine war in 1921), the etymology for the term as we use it is from 1900ish, 20 years earlier. And it refers, more generally, to farmers and working class folk whose necks would be red from sunburn (wikipedia, well cited in the article on redneck).

Stereotyping rural or working class or poor people using the term "redneck" is bad in its own right, but I dont think it originates from the strike of a coal miner's union. But thanks for leading me to do some research, it was interesting!

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Plus however long it takes to drive to u-haul, wait for them to check-out the trailer, hook it up, use it, then drive back to u-haul, return it, etc. Time is money.

Trailers should lend themselves well to the sharing economy, no? Minimal maintenance, largely stored sitting idle, no cleaning required. You don't even need to unethically deem your workers as contractors.

Yes; people on lakes already share pontoon trailers. And yes they can be difficult at first to back up, but like everything a little bit of practice and you have a new life skill.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#154

Hopefully they make a version that isn't absolutely gigantic. I've wanted a basic, no-frills 4x4 pickup truck with a 6 foot bed for years now. Problem is, they're all gigantic. And, they all have back seats! Ford released a new Ranger, which is nearly large as everything else out there. In the late 80's / early 90's there were all types of small trucks on the road (including the ranger). Now, there's zero options in…

Second this, with the caveat that the Colorado might be a good small size pickup alternative (I haven’t driven it, and the Nissan Frontier isn’t too big for a 4-door if you don’t insist on buying American).

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#155

Hopefully they make a version that isn't absolutely gigantic. I've wanted a basic, no-frills 4x4 pickup truck with a 6 foot bed for years now. Problem is, they're all gigantic. And, they all have back seats! Ford released a new Ranger, which is nearly large as everything else out there. In the late 80's / early 90's there were all types of small trucks on the road (including the ranger). Now, there's zero options in…

Because the pickup isn't a work vehicle. It is a statement, a bit of fashion. That's where the market is. People want to look like they need a pickup. In reality, they would be better served by a minivan. They are why every truck has back seats.

A more honest answer is probably to get the smallish SUV and buy a trailer. An 8'x4' metal trailer, with full wheels, will let you haul the wood/stuff those few times a year you need to. When I was in university I had a small Jeep and a proper trailer. On big climbing/camping trips I could haul more stuff than any pickup. An 8'x4'x2' trailer is bigger than all but the biggest pickup beds. The bed was also lower, which made things like motorcycles much easier to load.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#156

Hopefully they make a version that isn't absolutely gigantic. I've wanted a basic, no-frills 4x4 pickup truck with a 6 foot bed for years now. Problem is, they're all gigantic. And, they all have back seats! Ford released a new Ranger, which is nearly large as everything else out there. In the late 80's / early 90's there were all types of small trucks on the road (including the ranger). Now, there's zero options in…

You can get a 2 door 6ft bed Tacoma. It does have "back seats" but nobody's going to want to ride in them for more than 10 minutes. You can also get an F150 with just two seats and a 6.5ft bed. But yeah, physically, any pickup today is significantly bigger than one made in the 80s or 90s.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#157
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like light trucks because they are for people who plow snow, carry bricks, lumber, cinder blocks, lawn mowing equipment, hogs, chickens, bails of hay, etc. in all weather over all roads and even no roads. E.g., there is good ground clearance for charging through snow, over rough ground, jumping curbs, etc. The suspensions are stiff, rugged, and long lasting, can take bad bumps and keep going with no damage. The lig…

I’m guessing your not happy with Ford and GM’s all new aluminum beds then?

GM doesn't have an aluminum bed, still steel. What GM and Chevy have that's aluminum is anything with a hinge. So, doors, hook and tailgate. The bed itself is still steel.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#158

Hopefully they make a version that isn't absolutely gigantic. I've wanted a basic, no-frills 4x4 pickup truck with a 6 foot bed for years now. Problem is, they're all gigantic. And, they all have back seats! Ford released a new Ranger, which is nearly large as everything else out there. In the late 80's / early 90's there were all types of small trucks on the road (including the ranger). Now, there's zero options in…

Because the pickup isn't a work vehicle. It is a statement, a bit of fashion. That's where the market is. People want to look like they need a pickup. In reality, they would be better served by a minivan. They are why every truck has back seats. A more honest answer is probably to get the smallish SUV and buy a trailer. An 8'x4' metal trailer, with full wheels, will let you haul the wood/stuff those few times a year…

Even a sedan will do if you just want the bed. Not ideal, but definitely possible. Used to haul drywall, gravel, lumber, etc. in a little trailer hooked up to my freaking Corolla.

Trucks are great because the extra degree of freedom is a PITA, but unless you're towing serious loads they are mostly just the country version of a lexus or BMW.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the OP, but I've recently had several similar discussions with friends/family about trucks when I bought my Tesla. I live in Tennessee, a popular truck area. They claimed to like trucks for the convenience. Being able to throw stuff in the back and not have to think about whether it will fit in a car. While I do understand this advantage, it would only help me 2-3 times a year, and I aim to optimize for the 95% o…

I disliked pickup trucks for their size and fuel consumption until I owned a house and got heavily into gardening. Home maintenance and significant garden activity are made waaaaay easier by having a truck [or big van, I guess] available. That said, I still don't personally own a truck, borrowing them as needed. An all-electric model of good quality would be pretty tempting to me.

In Norway even in countryside people do not get pickups. It could be that trucks are just not very good in winter with snow and ice on mountain roads. Or people are not going to pay for extra fuel consumption with prices like 7 usd/gal.

But trailers are widespread and gardening/furniture shops provide them either for free or for a very low price.

Re: 'We're going to electrify the F-Series,' Ford exec says

#160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I started driving a truck 15 years ago after a number of sports cars/sedans/etc. I will never go back. Its not insane when you consider any number of factors, starting with the fact that Americans are BIG. As a large person myself (although not overweight), I'm here to tell you that what a 120 pound 5'6" person finds comfortable frequently is painful for me. Second, I spend upwards of 2+ hours a day sitting my my car…

Minivans get a bad rap IMO. The covered transport space inside when you fold the seats down is insane.

Exactly; my Dodge Caravan Sport w/3.8L would turn the 16 tires easily, handled well, fun to drive, and hauled all of my family, building materials, and machinery. 19 years and 240k miles, was cheap to own, not pretty anymore but still runs well.
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