PREP Ford trucks' built-in generators power Texas homes after winter storm causes power outages

[Jeff B.]

That’s really cool!

But...

I don’t see myself spending 70+k on a vehicle. My current F150 is an XLT, with the”premium package” of upgrades, it’s just short of a Lariat.

It’s a 2016 that I bought on 2018, I’m sure there was some story behind it, got it with 252 miles on it for 34.4. I’m happy with the 3.5 V6 and the truck in general, but that’s a far cry from 70k.

Jeff B.

 

[byronandkathy2003]

Pretty cool option.

Reminded me of the Fabco units. Adaptable to many vehicles.

Up to 3kw

http://fabcopower.com/generat/bgen.htm

that looks a lot like the starter generator on my case garden tractor.
i looked at their web site and found at full load you need 7 horse power to run it.
with a little work i could put that on my case and have potable generator that transports it self ..

 

[Millwright]

...have potable generator...

Nothing like having clean drinking power.

Sorry...it was just there.

 

[hiwall]

Or have a regular pickup and with your savings buy this solar trailer.

Solar trailer - general for sale - by owner

DC Solar MSG (mobile solar generator) with GNB Flooded Classic Platinum industrial batteries 468 AH capacity 48 volt, (10) Talesun Solar Module Type: TP660P-235 235 watt solar panels, (2) SMA Sunny...

showlow.craigslist.org

 

[SmithJ]

Some people pay for convenience, like anything else

 

[Sid Vicious]

You can get the package at 45k on the base XL model.

IMO if you wanted to buy a new truck no reason not to get the 750$ package for the big gen. Besides the warranty is based on mileage not hours.

Nice quiet truck parked in the backyard, no keys in the ignition so not real easy to steal. Full tank of gas at load will run you 30 hours. If you're smart you can run the thing for an hour every few hours.

 

[AlfaMan]

Maybe?

Depends on the fuel consumption at idle and low RPM.

I bet it's one of the cylinder-kill engines.

WAG, it's basically an inverter type generator so frequency is not relative to engine RPM. The key to a Honda EU2000's efficiency.

Correct. The 3.5 litre V6 in this truck does have MDS/cylinder deactivation. Probably at extended idle it's running happily on 2 cylinders.

It's an innovative product. GM and FCA (Chrysler/Dodge) could have done the same thing with their trucks-but instead made their trucks cheaper to build while charging more than the last years' prices for them. Sure, there's an origami like tailgate on both of these trucks, but honestly, how useful are they? The Ram is a pretty truck with the largest profit margin per unit of any US carmaker, the Chevys/GMCs are just too cheaply built these days. Blech.........

If your'e going to buy a truck for work, buy a Ford. Best fit and finish, best materials used for construction, best job of over engineering a number of systems on the vehicle (brakes, transmissions, electronics, the EcoBoost engines) lowest number of recalls of any American truck (and I look at all of them daily). In my day to day experience these new Ford trucks are built well. They require about as much upkeep as a toaster oven.

And I like the fact Ford asked their dealers to loan inventory out to help people. That's not just being a good neighbor; that is some VERY savvy marketing. Because once the loaned trucks come back they can't be sold as new-but they can CPO (certified preowned) the vehicles and sell them for almost a new price. Dealers are screaming for used inventory, at least in my area. Ford is helping both the communities and their dealers out with this move. Nice touch and good marketing ploy as well.

 

[Knoxville's Joker]

Correct. The 3.5 litre V6 in this truck does have MDS/cylinder deactivation. Probably at extended idle it's running happily on 2 cylinders.

It's an innovative product. GM and FCA (Chrysler/Dodge) could have done the same thing with their trucks-but instead made their trucks cheaper to build while charging more than the last years' prices for them. Sure, there's an origami like tailgate on both of these trucks, but honestly, how useful are they? The Ram is a pretty truck with the largest profit margin per unit of any US carmaker, the Chevys/GMCs are just too cheaply built these days. Blech.........

If your'e going to buy a truck for work, buy a Ford. Best fit and finish, best materials used for construction, best job of over engineering a number of systems on the vehicle (brakes, transmissions, electronics, the EcoBoost engines) lowest number of recalls of any American truck (and I look at all of them daily). In my day to day experience these new Ford trucks are built well. They require about as much upkeep as a toaster oven.

And I like the fact Ford asked their dealers to loan inventory out to help people. That's not just being a good neighbor; that is some VERY savvy marketing. Because once the loaned trucks come back they can't be sold as new-but they can CPO (certified preowned) the vehicles and sell them for almost a new price. Dealers are screaming for used inventory, at least in my area. Ford is helping both the communities and their dealers out with this move. Nice touch and good marketing ploy as well.

The GM trucks use Cylinder Variable Technology(CVT) that allows it to shut down to 4 cylinders on the 8 cylinder engine. They use a high pressure high flow oil pump and resesvoir to manage the control mechanisms to activate and de-activate it. The downside is between the castech style heads and oil galleys, sludge is a bit of a problem in the 5.3liter engine. Causes some issue with the oil pressure sensor due to the mesh screen before it likes to gunk up throwing a P0521 which clears up with an oil change or sensor change.

Really if rexresearch.com shows anything we could have 200mpg but no one profits from that...

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Remember a story of a prepper who woke up in the morning to find his fridge and freezer defrosting but could still hear his generator running. He walked outside to find his lawn mower running and his georator gone.

 

[bassgirl]

Wow, this is actually a very innovated Idea. I bet we start seeing thses on bigger SUV’s etc. pretty much any rec or tailgate vehicle. Really is a good idea.