OT What is a light truck?

kyplowboy · May 20, 2009

I just heard on the new about the new vehicle mph standards that are going to have to be met. I got to looking at the news stories on the net and they said that light trucks will have to get an average of 30 mph. I could not find in any of the stories I read what a light truck/suv is. Does any one know if light stops at half ton or does it include 3/4 or one ton? Just wander'n and not want'n to start a politcal who-rah.

Thanks

Dave

MarkB_MI · May 20, 2009

I don't know about the proposed new standards, but the current standards apply only to vehicles with a GVWR of greater than 8500 lbs. From the 2009 EPA mileage guide:

"Fuel economy regulations currently do not apply to vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (vehicle weight plus carrying capacity) of more than 8,500 pounds. Therefore, some large pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs are not tested, and fuel economy labels are not posted on their windows."

I would note that this standard is different than the definition that most manufacturers use to classify "light duty" versus "medium duty" trucks.

Also, in the past, the exemption of vehicles over 8500 GVWR has contributed to the popularity of monster SUVs. As long as gas is relatively cheap, people will buy what they want.

Allan in NE · May 20, 2009

Any "pickup" configuration.

Allan

MarkB_MI · May 20, 2009

My first line should have read "LESS THAN 8500 lbs".

Anonymous-0 · May 20, 2009

I agree with Allen. But, when talking milage standards, I think it stops at 1/2 ton trucks. Notice all new 1/2 ton trucks give estimated milage on the window sticker. 3/4 ton, and up does not give any estimated milage.

JDknut · May 20, 2009

For regulatory purposes, there are 6000 lb and under and 8500 lb and under classes of "light" trucks. The manufacturers for years considered anything 10,000 lbs GVW and under as a "light" truck. SO I guess it is who you talk to.

ericlb · May 20, 2009

a light truck is anything 1 ton and smaller , what im afraid of is that obummers new measures means your next 1 ton will only be able to pull half of what it does now, all in the intrest of good mpg, as usual the government has been in the outhouse too long and once again is mixing apples and oranges it fails to realise that most people who buy these trucks dont buy 'em for their gas milage, they buy em to work em

RayP(MI) · May 20, 2009

Wonder where we're going to get the engineering for that kind of milage... We've tweaked the gasoline engine about as dar as possible. Any new advances are going to be pretty small increments. Wonder where they think they'll go next... 100mpg? To get that type of milage, the vehicles are going to be far different than they are today. Much less weight, and thus far less crash worthy? Can't get much smaller and still hold real people sized people. Can't get much more streamlined, and still be a shape where people can sit up... Do you suppose the car manufacturers are building about the best they can for the money? If one car manufacturer could build a superior car, that would sell, competition would force others to follow suit. Think the government is pushing an agenda which is going to be difficult to reach, expensive for the consumer, and drive the car manufacturers to the brink of disaster, if they haven't already.

buickanddeere · May 20, 2009

There is a 8600lb division here. Less emission equipment too. My HD half ton is 8600lb and doesn't have EGR.

kyplowboy · May 20, 2009

Ray, you raise some good points. I could answer them one by one but I think we have a phrase here that sums up the whole shoot'n match. I will give you a hint, it starts with cluster.

Hope it all works out for the best, some how or another.

Dave

Anonymous-0 · May 20, 2009

They will achiev this "corporate average" by selling a ton of mincars, hybrids, and electrics.

Pickup prices will rise substantially.

Smaller or compact pickups, or some variation of them will become available and sold in numbers to offset the guzzlers.

Have you even seen what a Datsun, or Toyota pickup used to look like in the 70's?

So for those that need a masive powerplant, followed by an interior like a high end RV and a cargo box on the back that doesn't get used, pay up and parade on.

rustyfarmall · May 20, 2009

I got a sneaky feeling that most of us who NEED a working type truck will be looking at the Sterling or Freightliner business class trucks.

Clodbuster · May 20, 2009

PT Cruiser. Made the cut as a "light truck" due to cargo area with removable seats if I remember correctly. It helped with the mpg averages.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · May 20, 2009

B&D, what make, model and year do you have? Just because it doesn't have an EGR valve doesn't mean it doesn't have Exhaust Gas Recirculation. Without EGR, timing has to be retarded to prevent pinging AKA spark knock. Bringing the timing back increases fuel usage, and no EGR increases oxides of nitrogen, the main ingredient in photo chemical smog. Catalytic converters have no effect on oxides of nitrogen.
GM has eliminated EGR valves by going to variable cam timing. By going to variable cam timing the "power band" of an engine can be extended over a broader RPM range. EGR can be done more accurately with cam timing than introducing it through the intake where no 2 cylinders get the same amount. Removing a properly functioning EGR valve from an engine will not ever increase fuel economy or power. Most of the time it will have an adverse effect.

OT What is a light truck?

kyplowboy

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MarkB_MI

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Allan in NE

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MarkB_MI

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Anonymous-0

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JDknut

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ericlb

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RayP(MI)

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buickanddeere

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kyplowboy

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Anonymous-0

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rustyfarmall

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Clodbuster

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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