When will it end

I'm pretty sure the next Cummins Ram will be 1000 lbs-ft. Think of the marketing hype they could do with that number! Really, it's not too far off now with Ford at 925 and the new Duramax at 910.

I too would rather see increased MPG rather than HP/torque. I had a brand new 2000 F250 PSD 4x4 etc that would average an honest to God 19.5mpg pulling a car on an open trailer. Granted a box trailer drags the mileage down considerably. But I doubt very seriously any of the newer trucks will do that. Yes it had exhaust, intake and an 80hp tune. I figured it was around 325ish hp and it was enough for me. I just wish the manufacturers would offer an economy tune as well as a performance tune. I still feel like there's plenty more efficiency to be gained by internal combustion engines. 20 years ago we would have never believed that these trucks would be rolling off the assembly line with over 900 ft/lbs of torque...

2001400ex wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

2001400ex wrote:
I wish they'd stop focusing on HP. 400/900 is plenty for any non commercial application. They need to shift their focus to fuel mileage more than they have.

Well I get between 11 and 12 MPG moving 20,000# down the road at between 60 and 65 mph. I also get between 19 and 20 MPG running empty. That is the equivalent of 2,500# eco car getting 50 to 60 MPG.

That's the same as 15 years ago. Granted emissions are less. But mpg hasn't improved on diesel HAD pickups, although they have on gas engines.

lol, you realize that rhagfo's truck is 16 years old? Of course, that does just agree with your point.

I remember back in the '80s when the Dodge Cummins truck were first becoming popular - people were saying they were getting 25mph or more on the highway (hauling a load, not towing), and everyone was AMAZED at how POWERFUL the engines were! And.... they were like 150hp.

Then, of course, you dive into obtuse discussions of torque (which I still don't really understand) and gearing.

There's only so much energy in a gallon of fuel. I think they have squeezed about as much as they can out of it. The real issue is the weight you ask that gallon to pull around. As to horsepower you control how much you use and when I need it I'm glad it's there.

rhagfo wrote:

2001400ex wrote:
I wish they'd stop focusing on HP. 400/900 is plenty for any non commercial application. They need to shift their focus to fuel mileage more than they have.

Well I get between 11 and 12 MPG moving 20,000# down the road at between 60 and 65 mph. I also get between 19 and 20 MPG running empty. That is the equivalent of 2,500# eco car getting 50 to 60 MPG.

That's the same as 15 years ago. Granted emissions are less. But mpg hasn't improved on diesel HAD pickups, although they have on gas engines.

2001400ex wrote:
I wish they'd stop focusing on HP. 400/900 is plenty for any non commercial application. They need to shift their focus to fuel mileage more than they have.

Well I get between 11 and 12 MPG moving 20,000# down the road at between 60 and 65 mph. I also get between 19 and 20 MPG running empty. That is the equivalent of 2,500# eco car getting 50 to 60 MPG.

I wish they'd stop focusing on HP. 400/900 is plenty for any non commercial application. They need to shift their focus to fuel mileage more than they have.