Farm trucks fuel economy?

[the big wheel]

Maybe is farmers wouldn't spend 80-100 k to drive super duty's, duramax's, Longhorn, big horn, denali's, whatever they wouldn't complain so much about a few extra bucks on fuel

Staying home a bit and not attending every trade show, seminar and event in Canada and most of the US would help also.

Fuel was $18.39 per across the farm in 2016 and we don't do everything 1 pass, have not did the calc for 2017 but not too concerned if its $2 an acre higher in 2018

For some of the guys that are constantly trading and upgrading equipment under lease $5-10 per acre slips under rug pretty fast

But shiny equipment and denali's are very important to image for some....

Agree with much of this. But even the lowest end vehicles are stupid price. I don't buy bells and whistles. I buy what I need to pull and carry parts fuel and equipment etc.
What some are missing is it's not just the fuel you burn it's he price of everything else that's going up because of this unearned price increases of fuel.
But with the tax rebate gone also it's going to hit the guys further away from towns a lot more than some realize. And those town services are getting further and further also apart.

[AllisWD45]

Does the truck give oil life %? Only 2500 km? should be double at least.

Sorry fat fingers. It should be 20- 25000km

[fjlip]

Sorry fat fingers. It should be 20- 25000km

Now sounds high, but if oil life says so on synthetic, go for it. Could do an oil sample.

"But with the tax rebate gone also it's going to hit the guys further away from towns a lot more than some realize. And those town services are getting further and further apart. "

So true, some people drive lots of miles, businesses and services are closing.

[grefer]

2015 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 hemi. At 110 kph I get 25 mpg. At 100 kph I get 27 mpg. 8 speed auto transmission. Pulling a fifth wheel cut these numbers in half. I still have lots power but uses lots of fuel.

[Tucker]

Hey Richard5. I'm a fairly small farmer but I have assets in the millions. Why the **** should I have to drive a Yugo?

[Partners]

You only live once..**** mileage..live life fast..cuz it doesn't last long.

[Braveheart]

It's a truck. We buy they for the work they'll do, reliability, performance and comfort. Fuel consumption isn't at or near the top of the list. If we want high mileage we wouldn't likely buy a truck. That said, Subaru really should bring back the Brat, a nifty little AWD pickup that was misery on fuel.

[samhill]

**** mileage, love those Fords.

[grassfarmer]

It's a truck. We buy they for the work they'll do, reliability, performance and comfort. Fuel consumption isn't at or near the top of the list. If we want high mileage we wouldn't likely buy a truck. That said, Subaru really should bring back the Brat, a nifty little AWD pickup that was misery on fuel.

I think it's the Dodges that are misery on fuel - the Subarus were maybe miserly on fuel Those Subarus were popular in Scotland too where sheep farmers used them to haul bumper hitch stock trailers. If they had the trailer full it was quicker going with a tractor though!

[farmaholic]

The last two recent trucks I bought were plain Jane's....2500 Ram w/Cummins is the work horse that has a pretty easy life, basic truck SL model.

The Chev 1500 with the little six banger is the run around truck, sees more kms than the Ram. It's so plain it has crank windows and "linoleum" on the floors, not carpet. And it's a regular cab long box.

Neither truck does much for my ego but I feel the need to perpetuate the stereo-type of farming in the Slum of the Ghetto. I'm so embarrassed I won't put our farm name on them!

I probably only paid a bit more for the two trucks(one brand new and the other only 3300 kms used) than one with all the bells and whistles and the need for a larger hat size to drive it.

Fuel economy?

We're not talking commuter cars are we?

[Richard5]

Hey Richard5. I'm a fairly small farmer but I have assets in the millions. Why the **** should I have to drive a Yugo?

Tucker I have no problem with those who can afford it. I have surplus cash in my farm also and could buy if I wanted to. It's the guys with millions in debt that have the best of the best and outside looking in it appears as if they are doing so well.

But when we grow 70% of a crop these are the guys that will be in serious trouble

[chuckChuck]

We live in truck culture out west. I have several mostly older gas models. They are the most heavily marketed autos and some of the most profitable for the auto manufacturers. But we need to keep the truck and fuel companies in business otherwise our economy would falter.

My teenage son says, dad I want a truck. I say we have several. Only drive them when you need to. Otherwise drive a much cheaper fuel efficient car and invest the savings and you can retire early!

As I have pointed out to family many times, if you happen to get stuck driving in icy conditions you will see the majority of rollovers in the ditch are trucks, full size vans, and SUVs which all have a higher centre of gravity which makes them more prone to rolling. Put a new inexperienced driver on a gravel road in a truck and you risk a rollover.

Son, as long as I am paying for your fuel you wont be driving a truck unless you need it for a good reason.