Trucks I & Transportation
Ford introduces a live-drive PTO option
on its TorqShift transmission.
Compare Chassis Cab Options
Determine which features are most beneficial
for your application.
By Curt Bennink
B eyond the obvious criteria — the ability of a
truck to perform the intended tasks — other
key considerations can impact performance, such as
is you apply the correct vehicle for the application,”
notes Kaufman. “Everybody is happy because the
vehicle lasts a very long time and it has very low main-
new double overdrive six-speed transmission. “The
internal components on the transmission reduce
parasitic loss,” says Kaufman. “The efficiencies that
life-cycle cost, fuel economy, safety features, opera- tenance costs. It gets the job done and it doesn’t break the transmission added make up almost 60% of the
tor comfort and resale value. The 2011 chassis cabs down. It provides the lowest cost of ownership.” 22% improvement in fuel economy.”
were designed to address these issues. Ford also asserts that the SCR system has been
Life-cycle cost is a primary consideration with Reduce operating costs beneficial. The previous generation trucks relied
any work truck. All of the manufacturers have man- When it comes to life-cycle cost, fuel economy on exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and particulate
aged to reduce costs through better fuel economy, is a major factor. “Because of the large scale of the traps to meet emissions requirements. “It puts a
exhaust brakes that save on wear and tear, extended jobs heavy-duty trucks do, they tend to consume a bunch of heat inside the engine,” says Kaufman.
service intervals and increased capability. lot of fuel,” says Tigges. The result is a huge loss of performance. “By add-
“Don’t just look at the purchase price,” says Dan Most major suppliers claim fuel economy ing SCR into the aftertreatment, there are two main
Tigges, product manager, General Motors. “Look at improvements for the 2011 model year. The benefits. One, you certainly get the reduction of
what it is going to cost you in fuel, insurance and Chevrolet and GMC diesel-powered chassis cabs NOx, virtually eliminating it and turning it into
maintenance and repairs, and try to factor all of boast an 11% improvement in fuel economy on the hydrogen and water. Two, the engineers are able
those into the decision. This is why a commercial highway, even with increased horsepower and torque to reduce the amount of EGR that goes into the
dealer network is huge. If the truck is not up and ratings. The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) engine initially, which then allows for a cleaner
running, nobody makes money.” system used to meet 2010 EPA emissions limits burn and a lot more efficient use of fuel.”
“Small contractors will tell you that the first con- helps achieve this goal. “That is one of the reasons Some customers have expressed concern about
sideration is purchase price, when in fact it is really we went to SCR as opposed to a lean NOx trap,” adding another fluid. “You need to buy an extra
explains Tigges. “We also have better aerodynamics, tank of product — diesel exhaust fluid,” says
and made improvements in the Allison transmis- Kaufman. “Based on a 100,000 mile a year applica-
Work with the dealer to get the sion electronic fan clutch. There is less drag on the tion, you are talking less than $300 a year in con-
right truck; they are trained to ask engine. So there is really a combination of things sumption. If you take a conservative 3% improve-
the right questions. that helped us get to those numbers.” ment in fuel economy at today’s fuel prices, the
Ford claims up to 22% improvement in fuel return is pretty easy to see. Diesel today is at an
about fifth,” says Todd Kaufman, F-Series chassis cab economy for its 2011 chassis cab models equipped average $3.09. Do you really think it is going to stay
marketing manager, Ford. The reality is that the first with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke vs. 2010 models. there? Over the life of the vehicle, it certainly makes
consideration is the proper truck for the job. “We find “What is really interesting is that we don’t sacri- sense to me that this is the right solution.”
that people will try to under-specify the truck, then fice any performance. The torque and horsepower Despite bein