Should I buy a truck or a Smart Car?

[worthywads]

Originally Posted by JusBringIt

worthywads:

-A used truck doesn't come with a warranty at that price, which the smart does.

-Using that truck for hauling and you will be a lot higher than 13 cents/mile.

-Not everyone hypermiles, but everyone wants good mileage in whatever they can get away with using.

-when you're not hauling, though you'll be getting better mileage with the taco, you'd do a LOT better with the smart.

Well the original comparison was to a used truck, warranty is nice but I didn't need it I'm well past my warranty with no problems.

I do use the truck for hauling, not every week but at least 3 times a month, and that haul would be impossible with the smart.

Oddly I actually seen better mpg when hauling. I regularly drive to Denver from Boulder and get a pallet of grain weighing 1300 lbs and can get crazy distance compared to unloaded on the FAS coasts. I have consistently gotten better with the load in back?????? can't explain but it works with FAS, maybe not with normal driving. It is an elevation climb from Denver to Boulder, I can't explain it? More than likely a longer haul on flat terrain wouldn't have the same results.

I'm not saying the Smart is a bad choice, just that there are many options and the OPs original comparison could be much better than that, depending on what your true needs are. A roof rack on the smart may be just as effective as a trailer.

[phoebeisis]

I've noticed I get much better mpg at altitude than at sea level. Modern vehicles love that thin air-less drag and probably lower pumping losses. 4000 feet is worth maybe 5%.

Is Boulder slightly downhill from Denver?? If so maybe that helps a little.
I wonder if it sinks enough to lower frontal area and drag?Maybe that load is just enough to lower the rear so it is level with the front. Yes, you might be lowering drag a bit.

Charlie

[worthywads]

Boulder is 5430 and Denver is of course 5280 so it's only 150 feet. What I find though is on the hill on 36 dropping down into Boulder without the load my coast will never get me even close to the first exit into Boulder maybe a mile once you hit level. With the Load in back I have made it all the way to the exit many times. I may have exceeded the psl by a little bit too.

The benefit at 4000+ may be even greater than 5%. I was in Mississippi last year and struggled to get much more than 28 mpg while driving rural 65 mph. Seemed like the wind was blowing hard almost every time I drove though. I can typically get 34+ driving 65 at this altitude.

[bomber991]

Don't know how often you'll be using your trailer, but I know that home depot rents out their trucks for something like $20 for 1 hour. The trick though, is to rent it when they close in less than an hour, then you can return it the next morning when they open at 9am.

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by bomber991

Don't know how often you'll be using your trailer, but I know that home depot rents out their trucks for something like $20 for 1 hour. The trick though, is to rent it when they close in less than an hour, then you can return it the next morning when they open at 9am.

That there is using the brain! Well done. Don't need trucks OR smart cars. MUCH more economical for the average user.

ollie

[bestmapman]

I agree rent the truck when you need one.