When will we have enough?
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
When will we have enough?
Okay, how much HP and torque will we need before we are EVER happy?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.....simple answer; NEVER!
But seriously, how much do we REALLY NEED?
Not too long ago, gassers were pushing 200 hp & 220 lb/ft and that was moving some pretty considerable weight. Diesels were making 160 hp & 300 lb/ft and that too was moving big stuff.
Now were in a time of factory 400 hp gassers, 360 hp & 650 lb/ft diesels.
When does it become ENOUGH?
How much power will really be needed to make a truck what you want it to be?
Just some food for thought?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.....simple answer; NEVER!
But seriously, how much do we REALLY NEED?
Not too long ago, gassers were pushing 200 hp & 220 lb/ft and that was moving some pretty considerable weight. Diesels were making 160 hp & 300 lb/ft and that too was moving big stuff.
Now were in a time of factory 400 hp gassers, 360 hp & 650 lb/ft diesels.
When does it become ENOUGH?
How much power will really be needed to make a truck what you want it to be?
Just some food for thought?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
Enough power is when I can make the rear wheels spin on command, just by pressing the right pedal.... at 100mph
Silly question really
In all seriousness, I found my bog stock 7.3l (with 4.10 gears) with a stick to be "enough". It towed the 2 trailers I put behind it with serious conviction, and was good at haul 2 tonnes easily. And could maintain 80-90mph while doing it.
More power might have been handy on occasions when overtaking a roadtrain on a difficult stretch of road (if you have seen one you would understand), but even that was rare.
And feasibly you can't travel beyond those speeds I mentioned with a load on.
Silly question really
In all seriousness, I found my bog stock 7.3l (with 4.10 gears) with a stick to be "enough". It towed the 2 trailers I put behind it with serious conviction, and was good at haul 2 tonnes easily. And could maintain 80-90mph while doing it.
More power might have been handy on occasions when overtaking a roadtrain on a difficult stretch of road (if you have seen one you would understand), but even that was rare.
And feasibly you can't travel beyond those speeds I mentioned with a load on.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Originally Posted by BigF350
Silly question really
Can I have something that will get me to those speeds faster? Sure, but when will we be "happy" with the power that trucks make?
I know it all comes down to "mine is bigger than yours", but where does it need to go.
I mean seriously, you've seen the way some folks drive without a load or trailer. I sure wouldn't want them to be moving 20K plus, just be cause they can.
I'm driving a V10 Super Duty; realistically I could get away with a 5.4 150 or even a Ranger with a 4.0. But what fun would that really be?
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Exactly toypuller! That goes for firearms as well.
It's just fun to have alot of power on tap! I've always loved the rush of hard acceleration whether from a standing start or rolling. 450 HP and 750 TQ should be enough. Maybe.
My concern is getting these things stopped! Bringing a loaded truck/trailer with a 23K GCWR to a stop from 55 mph going downhill can really increase your heart rate. Hopefully the manufacturers will keep up with braking technology to make sure we can get 'em stopped. Maybe they'll add an exhaust brake someday.
It's just fun to have alot of power on tap! I've always loved the rush of hard acceleration whether from a standing start or rolling. 450 HP and 750 TQ should be enough. Maybe.
My concern is getting these things stopped! Bringing a loaded truck/trailer with a 23K GCWR to a stop from 55 mph going downhill can really increase your heart rate. Hopefully the manufacturers will keep up with braking technology to make sure we can get 'em stopped. Maybe they'll add an exhaust brake someday.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
I'm just waiting to see what they pull out next. Don't get me wrong, I'll take all the umph I can get. But what will the "next" truck be called. The "Mega, Monster, Superpendous, Really, Really Duty".
Look at things now. You have that International CXT thing, there are a couple other of those other insane big trucks.
Where does the line stop before we are beyond the average consumer and into the ignorantly big, competely over built, super trucks?
Look at things now. You have that International CXT thing, there are a couple other of those other insane big trucks.
Where does the line stop before we are beyond the average consumer and into the ignorantly big, competely over built, super trucks?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
What are you saying when will we have enough? We had it then lost it due to EPA regulations, global warming, green peace dope smoking hippies along with the big fuel crisis and the insurance industry.
Glad to see were gettin back to it....
Glad to see were gettin back to it....
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
We're way past getting it back. These trucks are more clean, efficient and powerful than anything before.
At no time, even the so called glory days of muscle cars, have we had vehicles with this much power, this level of handling, and this much reliability. Are they as cool as some of the older hot rods? No way! But, they don't touch the power to weight that we have today.
And trucks, at no time before have trucks had this much power, this much capability, and this many features.
Again, don't get me wrong, I love having my big angry truck, but what will it take.....how big does it have to be.............how much power does it have to have?
At no time, even the so called glory days of muscle cars, have we had vehicles with this much power, this level of handling, and this much reliability. Are they as cool as some of the older hot rods? No way! But, they don't touch the power to weight that we have today.
And trucks, at no time before have trucks had this much power, this much capability, and this many features.
Again, don't get me wrong, I love having my big angry truck, but what will it take.....how big does it have to be.............how much power does it have to have?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: SW Iowa
Bfr
The only way it ends is when you and I and the others quit buying these SD monsters. If you had told me 10 years ago I would own a 360 HP V-10 F-350 with 4X4 and 18" tires needing a special step to climp up into the cab to operate it, I probably would have told you you were dreaming. And, I have to admit, I have very rarely used all that power avail. under the hood. But would I trade it for something less??? NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Hazleton, PA
"Enough" is whatever horsepower/torque you need to perform the tasks that you need perfomed. Anything more is for ego or vanity, which we all engage in for our own reasons or purposes and in different ways.
I have a 2005 CC with a 5.4 I need to tow up to 7,000 or carry the payload capacity of the F250. The 5.4 is fine for that purpose. If I had to tow 12,000 lbs, I'd get a diesel or V10. I need a pickup. My family is bigger now so I need the crewcab. I have 4x4 due to the construction sites I frequent and the snow we get in Northeastern PA. I am hard on a truck and drive 50 to 60K per year and need the heavy duty performance of a Superduty. I have one vehicle and this one suits my needs.
I have a 2005 CC with a 5.4 I need to tow up to 7,000 or carry the payload capacity of the F250. The 5.4 is fine for that purpose. If I had to tow 12,000 lbs, I'd get a diesel or V10. I need a pickup. My family is bigger now so I need the crewcab. I have 4x4 due to the construction sites I frequent and the snow we get in Northeastern PA. I am hard on a truck and drive 50 to 60K per year and need the heavy duty performance of a Superduty. I have one vehicle and this one suits my needs.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
4WD,
Brother, I hear ya! I'm as much of a power junkie as the next guy.
I haven't even remotely pushed this truck to near what it is capable of. The most I've strapped behind it was 9000 lbs worth of boat and trailer, and it handled that like it was candy. Am I complaining? No way!
I just want to know when the capabilities of these trucks are so far beyond what "most" of the buyers will need, what will happen then? Will we continue to buy bigger, faster, more powerful trucks, even when they are far beyond what we'll ever use? I know I will, hell this one is already that truck.
Brother, I hear ya! I'm as much of a power junkie as the next guy.
I haven't even remotely pushed this truck to near what it is capable of. The most I've strapped behind it was 9000 lbs worth of boat and trailer, and it handled that like it was candy. Am I complaining? No way!
I just want to know when the capabilities of these trucks are so far beyond what "most" of the buyers will need, what will happen then? Will we continue to buy bigger, faster, more powerful trucks, even when they are far beyond what we'll ever use? I know I will, hell this one is already that truck.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 684
Likes: 2
From: Tucson, AZ
I would agree with alot of what has been said, 'enough' is when you have the power to comfortably and safely transport whatever it is you are carrying or pulling. That is not the same as 'happy'. And as long as the consumer demands more they will make them bigger and stronger.
And the consumer continues to demand more, because more people are buying boats, RVs and campers then ever before. I read on some other thread that a guy wanted to buy an 18,000 lb 5th wheel and tow it with a 250 or 350. That is the kind of consumer that keeps the the manufacturers busy creating bigger and stronger motors.
And you can never underrate the 'mine is bigger than yours' syndrome.
And the consumer continues to demand more, because more people are buying boats, RVs and campers then ever before. I read on some other thread that a guy wanted to buy an 18,000 lb 5th wheel and tow it with a 250 or 350. That is the kind of consumer that keeps the the manufacturers busy creating bigger and stronger motors.
And you can never underrate the 'mine is bigger than yours' syndrome.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
i don't know, i LOVE power! but i been living and traveling alot in these poorer countries and seen over in europe, nobody has these big superduty trucks to pull things, i seen people load down a toyota full of rocks, looked like it was going to die and drive just fine everywhere, volvos pulling trailers, any heavy duty stuff they just have a 2 1/2 ton truck do it all the time, in central asia, they use those little ladas for everything! then they have these kamaz monsters for heavy duty stuff.
of course, nobody has the travel trailers like we do and the hobbies we enjoy and need the power to enjoy them, but i personaly would take less power from the factory if the relaibily and longevity would increase (and increase warranty) and the engine wouldn't suffer from performance upgrades, it seems a person could modify the hell out of an old truck with alot less problems then now days.
they should offer more engine varieties to match poeples wants and needs, i have a diesel, but i don't tow, but i do drive about 30-40 thousand miles a year.
of course, nobody has the travel trailers like we do and the hobbies we enjoy and need the power to enjoy them, but i personaly would take less power from the factory if the relaibily and longevity would increase (and increase warranty) and the engine wouldn't suffer from performance upgrades, it seems a person could modify the hell out of an old truck with alot less problems then now days.
they should offer more engine varieties to match poeples wants and needs, i have a diesel, but i don't tow, but i do drive about 30-40 thousand miles a year.