Ford Lightning Go Towing comparison

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by sokhapkin

This forum is about towing a trailer, not an enclosed tricycle.

The post was a response to my comment about EVs trending large. I took it as somewhat tongue-in-cheek, clearly an outlier in the other extreme, and of course not suitable for any kind of towing.

My point stands, though. What are we really solving by pushing large electric trucks and SUVs with powerful motors and large, heavy batteries, all so we can continue to tow oversized white boxes? I see the Ford Lightning as a frivolous bit of self-gratification stealing resources from real solutions. No doubt it will make a bundle of money for Ford.

A recent article seriously suggested the solution to EV towing range degradation is to put more motors and more large batteries in all the trailers. Airstream has already demonstrated the feasibility. Where do they think all that copper, lithium, etc. is going to come from, not to mention the power to recharge them? Where are the smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic trailers?

I’m not convinced BEVs are a long-term solution to personal transportation, but as we sort it out, it seems to make more sense to use compact EVs for everyday driving- which for many RV owners is 80-90% of miles driven- and keep our gas and oil burners for limited towing use. Right tool for the job.

But just to be clear, by “compact” I mean something with four wheels, four seats and a cargo area, capable of sustained freeway speeds, and meeting modern safety standards.

[oldwave]

Our solution is a plug-in hybrid for most of our driving and a f150 for the trailers. I would like to see more plug in hybrids until this is sorted out. We get 30 miles of ev range 90 percent of our driving is ev and 50 mpg on gas. The batteries are much smaller and a 15 rebuild would be much cheaper. I think electric trucks are ideal for fleet customers in an urban environment where they are the most efficient and could have central charging in a yard. Think contractors and delivery vehicles. This would greatly reduce air pollution in Cities and be cost effective for fleets. Hybrid trucks for towing have yet to be popular and are way too expensive at the moment. Id buy a hybrid tundra but the only offering is in higher end trims that to me have always been a silly waste of money. I buy a truck to tow not as a luxury vehicle. Low end trims with that option would get my money. Not a 70000 vehicle. The f150 hybrid is the same I think? Not available in an XL ? For now my 14 year old truck still runs great for the minimal amount of use. Would I like a full
Ev ? Sure but I’ll be dead before this is really sorted out. Toyota still is looking at hydrogen but the generation is a major issue. You can’t cheat physics or a warming planet. It’s a dilemma.

[Mikmay]

https://fb.watch/eAi3-ilJQa/

[Travellers]

Thanks for the video. A little more relevant to the trailer owners on this forum.

[Mikmay]

Originally Posted by Travellers

Thanks for the video. A little more relevant to the trailer owners on this forum.

This is our own Rivian and not a Rivian Promotion ,we put a deposit on this Four years ago and took delivery last month It has been pretty impressive so far and will update as we get to know it better .

[Travellers]

Originally Posted by Mikmay

This is our own Rivian and not a Rivian Promotion ,we put a deposit on this Four years ago and took delivery last month It has been pretty impressive so far and will update as we get to know it better .

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to hearing more about it. What a nice truck. Congrats.

[Travellers]

Originally Posted by Mikmay

This is our own Rivian and not a Rivian Promotion ,we put a deposit on this Four years ago and took delivery last month It has been pretty impressive so far and will update as we get to know it better .

Oh, and it’s nice to have another member towing with an electric vehicle on this forum. I think there are three of us now.

[Mikmay]

Originally Posted by Travellers

Oh, and it’s nice to have another member towing with an electric vehicle on this forum. I think there are three of us now.

HC is actually working on the development of a trailer support that will have the batteries in the floor of the trailer one of the great advantages of having a modular system with easy access to the floor .

[Travellers]

Originally Posted by Mikmay

HC is actually working on the development of a trailer support that will have the batteries in the floor of the trailer one of the great advantages of having a modular system with easy access to the floor .

Yah. Read an article on it. Interesting.

[thrifty bill]

The TFL journey to Prudhoe Bay was a good watch, but totally unrealistic. They conveniently had a second hybrid truck along on the trip, that could act as a charge station.

IMO, ten years from now, towing with an EV will be the standard. Quite a few details to work out, such as much faster charging and extended range. Battery and charging technology is holding them back. Would love to see a plug in hybrid truck. EV for the shorter/local drives, and gas powered for the long stuff.

[Travellers]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

The TFL journey to Prudhoe Bay was a good watch, but totally unrealistic. They conveniently had a second hybrid truck along on the trip, that could act as a charge station.

IMO, ten years from now, towing with an EV will be the standard. Quite a few details to work out, such as much faster charging and extended range. Battery and charging technology is holding them back. Would love to see a plug in hybrid truck. EV for the shorter/local drives, and gas powered for the long stuff.

Ford makes a hybrid. It was in the video as the support vehicle. BC hydro should have charging infrastructure on that corridor with a couple years or so. Big project.

[thrifty bill]

Yes what Ford needs is a plug in version of their hybrid. Coming, no doubt.

[Travellers]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

Yes what Ford needs is a plug in version of their hybrid. Coming, no doubt.

Ah yes. I understand. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a plug in version.

[AC0GV]

[QUOTE=nofieldfive;844485]Obliviously our trailers would do better, but fiberglass trailers are not the majority./QUOTE]
Coming to a campground near you?
https://woodallscm.com/rv-powergate-...estal-outlets/

[jgilliam1955]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

The post was a response to my comment about EVs trending large. I took it as somewhat tongue-in-cheek, clearly an outlier in the other extreme, and of course not suitable for any kind of towing.

My point stands, though. What are we really solving by pushing large electric trucks and SUVs with powerful motors and large, heavy batteries, all so we can continue to tow oversized white boxes? I see the Ford Lightning as a frivolous bit of self-gratification stealing resources from real solutions. No doubt it will make a bundle of money for Ford.

A recent article seriously suggested the solution to EV towing range degradation is to put more motors and more large batteries in all the trailers. Airstream has already demonstrated the feasibility. Where do they think all that copper, lithium, etc. is going to come from, not to mention the power to recharge them? Where are the smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic trailers?

I’m not convinced BEVs are a long-term solution to personal transportation, but as we sort it out, it seems to make more sense to use compact EVs for everyday driving- which for many RV owners is 80-90% of miles driven- and keep our gas and oil burners for limited towing use. Right tool for the job.

But just to be clear, by “compact” I mean something with four wheels, four seats and a cargo area, capable of sustained freeway speeds, and meeting modern safety standards.

AMEN! My wife's next car will be an EV. Right now her 2005 Honda Civic has 80K miles & still going strong. I will keep my truck until it dies of old age.
I read some countries are working on a charging pad for cell phone use. Park your EV on it & it will charge your EV.
I can't afford a EV. I do see the EV vehicle & charging prices going up. Plus, the states will be adding Road TAX fees. We will be charged by the mile & get a monthly or quarterly bill.
All new vehicles will be able to be tracked by the government in a few years. It is in the Green deal bill that was passed.

[jgilliam1955]

Originally Posted by Travellers

Hi folks. I’ll stay out of the.fray on the F150 Lightning…mostly because I know nothing about it.

But for those interested there are thousands of us touring in EV RV combos. We posted a thread about our latest cross Canada trip. Not for everyone of course. But works for many of us. Here’s a link.

https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...ast-99071.html

Thanks, I enjoy reading about people's adventures like yours.

[parmm]

Originally Posted by DaveLevenson

How does a gasoline station run its pumps?

And look at the fuel used by transports to get the gas to the station. Ever notice how gas is more expensive when you are closer to a refinery!!! But remember, petroleum products paid for my pension - so buy more gas!!!