Okay, as this is my first posting here, I'll just start with what has motivated this post.

I've been waiting a long time for one or more of the auto makers to offer a "Full-Hybrid" Pickup Truck. So far, I'm still waiting. It seems to me that I can't possibily be alone in wanting a truck that gives me all you might expect in a pickup along with all of the advantages of "full-hybrid" technology. So here's what I'm looking for (Pay close attention all you auto makers lurking around this forum).

I'm seeking a Standard Cab Long Bed 3/4 ton 4X4 Pickup Truck for carring a lightweight Pop-Up camper most of the time. And towing a light to moderate weight equipment trailer on occasion as well. I want the advantages of electric power generated by the hybrid system to run my goodies in the camper as well as the stuff I bring along in the trailer. I'd like to take advantage of the extra power boost the hybrid system provides while towing the trailer and getting the extra fuel savings when I'm not hauling the extra load.

I know that not everyone will be seeking the same stuff, but I have to think that a lot of folks that like to go outdoors would love to take advantage of some variation on Hybrid Pickup Trucks if available to them. Look at the large market in north America for RV's. That should be a very popular place for Hybrid technology. RV's get some of the worst mileage of any vechicles on the road. And RV buyers would love the Hybrid generated electricity available to run all the stuff on board. (Hey auto maker lurkers, are you paying attention?).

Okay, so now its your turn. What are you looking for or really wishing for in a Hybrid Pickup Truck?

Thanks.

--HyTech, who's daily driver is a Honda Insight.

I can't comment on my dream pickup, but let me state for the record that pickups will likely be the last type of vehicle fitted with hybrid technology. On midsize cars, it just makes "sense." On SUV's, the gas-guzzling stereotype is broken. On vans, soccer moms don't go broke. On sports cars, more boost. But, what about pickups? You can get electrical power without being a full hybrid. It may make sense for some, but I don't think it fits most pickup consmers.

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Pick-up truck owners like boost too
Maybe it'll increase payload or tow rating enough to make it worthwhile? I could foresee it on trucks earlier than mini-vans...since mini-vans alreaddy get decent milage.

1999 Camaro Z28 6-Speed
2002 Honda Insight CVT Sold
AIM - PHeNoM Z28

Perhaps, but I know that on my Prius there is a strict (1000lb?) limit on towing. Hybrid systems can be powerful, but I don't know if the research is there for heavy-duty environments.

Of course, I could be wrong. But do you see any pickups on the conveyor belt? I don't.

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I would expect that a full hybrid Pickup would be on of the last to be created. This is due to the extremely wide rang of loads and applications a truck is subjected too. My insight has a load capacity of 400lbs, and a towing capacity of 0. thats 200 per seat, most 4 seat cars have 200lbs per seat also.. But a successfull pickup would need to handle nicely with 2 or 4 people, and a load capacity of at least a 1/4 ton, plus a towing capacity of say 2000 pounds as a minimum.. IT would be dificult to reduce the weight, or improve the aerodynamics of a pickup and still keep it as something anyone would want to buy.

Hi All:

___All of this discussion about Hybrid’s in P/U’s and such is really moving away from the design basis of the hybrid automobile as we know them.

___When all is said and done, the ICE is what powers a hybrid or std. ICE equipped automobile. A smallish ICE is used for superior fuel economy and the electrics give them somewhat normal acceleration for the short amount of time that you need it. A P/U when towing or loaded down must rely on that more powerful ICE almost continuously. A smallish ICE simply won’t pull/carry the load nor will it achieve high fuel economy with your foot into it all the time. I read similar in the Escape HEV discussions with it has the power of a V6 … Sure it does. For a minute or two before the pack is somewhat depleted. After that, it is all ICE and the small ICE’s in today’s hybrids simply can’t pull anything like their std. sized ICE counterpart.

___With that, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid P/U might be the answer for someone’s power needs. What you receive for that extra $2,500 over and above the std. V8 equipped Silverado, is a superior generator with relatively clean emissions that can tow, haul, and run exactly like the non-hybrid given it uses the same V8. Its very slight increase in fuel economy is not anywhere near what we would consider from a Hybrid but then again, it really wasn’t designed for high fuel economy but as a superior generator with some of the attributes most hybrid drivers come to expect including Regen braking, autostop/EV coast downs and stops, and a pack/MG Set start vs. a normal starter.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net