trucks

Reduce U-Haul Truck Gas Costs & Expenses

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I needed to rent a U-Haul box truck earlier this month and took the opportunity to shoot a video that demonstrates how reduce expenses. Needless to say, U-Haul trucks can be gas guzzling beasts (despite what their advertisements say). The video covers a a combination of fuel economy improvement techniques and other tactics. The truck shown in the video is a 10 foot GMC box truck.

I would have preferred to rent a high roof Ford Transit, but U-Haul only had standard roof versions on their lot. The Transit should be more fuel efficient than an old school box truck. Enterprise rents Transits, but none were available locally, so I was stuck with the little U-Haul Box truck.

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Made Across America

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Do you know where your car, truck, or SUV was made? While many folks overlook the fine print*, the place of origin has significant implications on the American economy. The auto industry is back on track, with 16.9 million new vehicles sold in America in 2014, up from a low point of 11.5 million in 2009. This resurgence has created over 400,000 new jobs over that timespan, at automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and dealerships.

Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn EcoDiesel on Capitol Hill

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You Want a Real EcoBoost? Lets Put it in Perspective …

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I spent the better part of three days at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit this past week. While I’ve been to NAIAS a number of times over the years, this was the first time I flew home knowing that I need to start doing things differently, ASAP. Although the price of gasoline may have plummeted, there’s still a mission (make that multiple missions) that must be accomplished. Gas will not stay this cheap forever.

Ford kindly flew me in with a crowd of “Digital Influencers” and I lived happily in the big blue snowglobe with my new comrades. Our agenda was non-stop, starting with a Sunday night visit to the historic Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, where the Model T was designed and built.

1908 Ford Model T at the Piquette Avenue Plant

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2015 Ford F-150: 30 MPG Magic?

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The thought of a half-ton pickup truck achieving 30 miles per gallon (MPG) with a gasoline engine was unfathomable, just a few years ago. A 30 MPG rating for the 2015 Ford F-150 would be nothing short of remarkable. While the F-150’s gas mileage ratings have not been released for 2015, engineering leaps at Ford may have put that magic thirty within reach. The savings potential is based on three core technologies: lightweighting, displacement downsizing, and aerodynamics.

2015 Ford F150 King Ranch

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America for years on end. A significant drop in the F150’s fuel consumption = a lot more money in F150 owners wallets and lessened need for our nation to import oil. This will do more than budge the needle. Lets take a look at how Ford made the magic happen …

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Custom Paint With Rattlecans?

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As the ever-thriving automotive aftermarket industry proves, cars, trucks, and vans are more than just transportation … they’re an expression of individuality. When a vehicle rolls off the dealer’s lot, it’s a blank canvas, waiting for its new owner to make a personal statement through customization. This is never more the case when the vehicle is over-sized and wearing a plain-vanilla white paint job.

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