SLIGHTLY off topic as I'm asking more about T(oad)Vs rather than T(ow)Vs.BUT, this is the motorhead sub-forum - engines and drive trains and MPGs and all that fun stuff.What do "we" think about hybrids these days?The reason I ask is the DW was car shopping and was told that "hybrids only cost $800 more than equivalents with engines".And hinted that this was the future for smaller cars and that this would have service and resale benefits.The gas mileage is certainly tempting- and MAYBE electric motors and generators can be more reliable that gears and drive trains.But, I was thinking after 4 years, you better be ready for a SERIOUS battery replacement bill?Always look forward to discussions. (that's the objective)

What’s four years? In the state of California, the warranty for a Toyota Prius is good for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. In other states, the hybrid battery warranty is good for 8 years or 100,000 miles.Regarding the Volt...an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty on the Volt's 16 kWh battery pack.

I think it all depends upon your personal life style. I could never use successfully. I tow a behemoth 5er, and the distance from home to work is ... well ... not practical from an electric car. Others may have great success. Just like anything in life, you have to figure out if it will work for you. Do all the logistics and see where it leads. What is the most AGGRESSIVE most ROBUST demand you will put on your vehicle (NOT THE LIGHTEST, DAILY USE) ... and then find out if electric power can handle it, that is, the greatest demand you would EVER need from it, even if that need is for a very short duration. Then you have your answer.

Hybrids have both electric and gas propulsion. Not electric only.

All hybrids have a LONG battery warranty. Typically 7+ years, or 10+ years in CARB states. And tend to have overall better reliability, while sometimes lowering maintenance costs because regenerative braking lessens brake wear.They are ideal for a towed, since the planetary CVTs don't need pumped lubrication. But of course, check with the manufacturer. All Ford hybrid and plug-in hybrids are flat towable. Toyota are not at all. Other brands depend on specific models.

K3WE wrote:The reason I ask is the DW was car shopping and was told that "hybrids only cost $800 more than equivalents with engines".And hinted that this was the future for smaller cars and that this would have service and resale benefits.Who gave your DW this information, the sales people?Did they tell her that hybrids have gas engines?

General thoughts on Hybrids | Good Sam Community

Groover
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2019
"You can tap genitally with a big hammer"

That sounds painful!
JRscooby
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2019
Lantley wrote:

Dually is not my only vehicle but it is my daily driver.
However if I did not have a 5'er I would not have a dually.
I own a dually to cover my most extreme usage.
It doesn't make sense to me to own a lesser truck that doesn't meet my most extreme need.
Should sweat it out and have a less than enjoyable experience with a SRW truck or have a relaxing tow with the more capable truck.

Yes. The tool box I carry with me only has one hammer, and it's a big one. You can tap genitally with a big hammer, but you can't hit hard with a little one. OTOH, if at home, or near the dedicated tool truck, I would pick the best size for the job. (No longer have the tool truck, so when home I'm knee-deep in hammers) When picking the hammer/shopping for the vehicle, you don't want all big hammers.
Jennifer_Koper
Explorer
Nov 02, 2019
If you're stupid sufficient to drive around without looking at the fuel gauge, I suggest you almost certainly shouldn't drive a petrol car either.
And the heater should run off the 12V series, so no cause why it wouldn't work.
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 01, 2019
JRscooby wrote:
Lantley wrote:

They base their decision on normal or every day usage, however when it comes to safety and reliability heavy usage should be the determining factor.
Now heavy usage may not be as important in choosing a hybrid or EV however when choosing a tow vehicle, heavy usage is critical.
Maybe that's why we both have duallies:)

Is the dually your only vehicle? Most families have more than 1. If we are going out of town, we take the pickup. If wife is going out of town, I'm stuck with the car. I wish 15 years ago I had bought E with a 50 mile range that could charge at home instead of ICE.

Dually is not my only vehicle but it is my daily driver.
However if I did not have a 5'er I would not have a dually.
I own a dually to cover my most extreme usage.
It doesn't make sense to me to own a lesser truck that doesn't meet my most extreme need.
Should sweat it out and have a less than enjoyable experience with a SRW truck or have a relaxing tow with the more capable truck.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Nov 01, 2019
Lantley wrote:

They base their decision on normal or every day usage, however when it comes to safety and reliability heavy usage should be the determining factor.
Now heavy usage may not be as important in choosing a hybrid or EV however when choosing a tow vehicle, heavy usage is critical.
Maybe that's why we both have duallies:)

Is the dually your only vehicle? Most families have more than 1. If we are going out of town, we take the pickup. If wife is going out of town, I'm stuck with the car. I wish 15 years ago I had bought E with a 50 mile range that could charge at home instead of ICE.
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 01, 2019
DutchmenSport wrote:
I think it all depends upon your personal life style. I could never use successfully. I tow a behemoth 5er, and the distance from home to work is ... well ... not practical from an electric car.

Others may have great success. Just like anything in life, you have to figure out if it will work for you. Do all the logistics and see where it leads. What is the most AGGRESSIVE most ROBUST demand you will put on your vehicle (NOT THE LIGHTEST, DAILY USE) ... and then find out if electric power can handle it, that is, the greatest demand you would EVER need from it, even if that need is for a very short duration. Then you have your answer.

I am late to this thread. But you bring up a good point.
What is the most intense usage required? Many don't ask that question.
They base their decision on normal or every day usage, however when it comes to safety and reliability heavy usage should be the determining factor.
Now heavy usage may not be as important in choosing a hybrid or EV however when choosing a tow vehicle, heavy usage is critical.
Maybe that's why we both have duallies:)
Reisender
Nomad
Nov 01, 2019
free radical wrote:
Reisender wrote:
Hybrid sales are starting to wane somewhat and have already been eclipsed by BEV’s. The Volt was cancelled this year and Prius sales are half of what they were 10 years ago. Most manufacturers are putting there R and D into full electric. There will probably be some Hybrid market in North America for awhile yet or at least until charge infrastructure catches up to the rest of the world. In the meantime, a Prius plug in hybrid is a good choice....but not towable.

Until all manufacturers have supercharger network like Tesla has,
then hybrids are way better imo.

Via motors can do it why not GM
https://youtu.be/4XHbQLfgI6g

Meh. If you do that kind of travelling a lot there is probably some advantage. Kinda depends on your region infrastructure too. A hybrid would hold no advantage for us. We rarely go further than 500 or 600 km....unless we are in the Motorhome or on a plane. A hybrid is just more to maintain. Might work for some though. The volt was a neat idea. Just never caught on.
free_radical
Explorer
Nov 01, 2019
Reisender wrote:
Hybrid sales are starting to wane somewhat and have already been eclipsed by BEV’s. The Volt was cancelled this year and Prius sales are half of what they were 10 years ago. Most manufacturers are putting there R and D into full electric. There will probably be some Hybrid market in North America for awhile yet or at least until charge infrastructure catches up to the rest of the world. In the meantime, a Prius plug in hybrid is a good choice....but not towable.

Until all manufacturers have supercharger network like Tesla has,
then hybrids are way better imo.

Via motors can do it why not GM
https://youtu.be/4XHbQLfgI6g
colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2019
Bedlam wrote:
I think some type of hybrid will be a round for a while:

To funny. Was thinking of California's big push to eliminate natural gas and gasoline to go all electric vehicles. Especially with their failing power grid. This weekend 3 million people could be without power. Kind of reminds me of the old saying (Don't put all your eggs in one basket).
Reisender
Nomad
Oct 27, 2019
wilber1 wrote:
One advantage to having an EV as a towd, it could be recharging itself as it was being towed.

Yes that would be nice. But currently none allow it. We tow an EV as a toad but on a trailer.