GM Hybrids, Making a
Difference Saving Fuel. Made for a Two Horse Cimarron Trailer
40% improvement in
fuel mileage in city, tows 6100 lbs
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I first drove the new GMT900 platform Tahoe SUV
hybrid in 2007.
Now GM adds to the list, I towed trailers with
the GMC Sierra Hybrid and the Cadillac Escalade
Hybrid comparing to a Yukon non hybrid. 40% fuel economy
improvement in city miles-per-gallon gets your
attention. Nice warranty, 100k and 8 yr for the hybrid, 5yr
power train takes the risk out. Both hybrids and
the Yukon towed the Cimarron 2H trailer well
The full size GMC
1/2 ton is EPA rated 20city/20 hwy, yes 20 in
the city. That's the story of hybrids,
incredible mileage tooling around town. Part of
that is to regenerative braking, which charges
the batteries when you brake. With Active Fuel
Management, the truck can run on half of it's
cylinders. All amazing stuff when you look at it
all together. Just write that check for
$42,790. The majority of the extra cost of the
hybrid can be covered by a Federal and State tax
incentives.
Locking 3.08 rear
axle with a Eaton locker
and trailering package is standard equipment.
These hybrids can tow up to 6,100 pounds. Add to
these astounding numbers the fact that you can
go nearly 500 miles. Only available as crew
cabs, which is the most popular cab
configuration anyway. Today's hybrid half-tons
are limited in towing capacity by two factors:
cooling requirements for the trucks'
electronic systems, and torque limitations in some of the transmission’s
gear-set changes.
The two-mode hybrid powertrain
uses an electrically variable
transmission that houses two
60kW electric motors. Two mode
continuous electric ratio hybrid, 4 fixed gears
and in between, has infinite gear options like a
hydrostatic in a combine or hay swather.
At low speeds (Mode 1), the first electric
motor, replacing the torque converter, drives the truck off the batteries up
to 32-mph, and as far as one to two-miles,
depending on charge levels.
At high speeds (Mode 2), the second electric
motor, at the back of the
transmission, works with the fixed gears to
create an electronically variable transmission (EVT).
The Active Fuel Management (i.e. cylinder
shutoff) V8 also uses this electric boost to
spend more time running in V4 mode to optimize
fuel economy. The large 6.0L gas engine helps keep the truck in V4 mode
longer while providing a steadier torque curve
across RPMs for the transmission to manage. When
I tow, I like having a larger engine. The 6.0L
has torque is the right choice for power in a
hybrid.
Future GM Hybrids
are reported to double towing capacity and make
a hybrid truck an option for most trailers. Commercial class 6 trucks are taking
advantage of hybrids' in city delivery trucks
successfully, it's become a tested technology.
Several auto makers are working on the same
hybrid platform with their own unique
application. The hybrid pickups have a
few unique exterior features
to set them apart from
standard pickups. Most
noticeable are the polished
18-inch wheels, which save
weight, and the standard
tonneau cover for better
aerodynamics—cloth on
regular models, a
three-piece hard shell if
you get luxury trim. The
front air dam extends 11 mm
further toward to the road.
And GM’s characteristic
chrome
hybrid logo green-leaf
is mounted on each front
fender and the tailgate.
These trucks fit a
1.8-kilowatt-hour battery
pack beneath the rear seat,
(left picture)
and the Two-Mode Hybrid
transmission replaces the
standard truck automatic. To
offset the added weight, the
front lower control arms and
differential shaft are made
of aluminum. And GM
engineered a special
hydraulic bushing to attach
the cab to the frame,
damping new vibrations
created by adding the
300-pound battery pack.
They were really quiet,
sound like a golf car, because these
hybrids can run on their electric motors at
speeds of up to 30 mph. These hybrids use
regenerative braking to capture energy from
braking and coasting and store it in the battery
for future use.
An
efficiency meter in the dash will tell you how
well your are driving for the best economy. The
dash readouts tell you when you are running on 4
cylinders or 8 with Active Fuel Management.
Picture right, no oil pressure in electric mode.
It's weird to look at the gauges when in mode
one, no engine so no oil pressure or RPM's on the tach.
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GM Press Release
- The GMC Sierra Hybrid
pickup truck, which combines the fuel efficiency
of a midsize sedan with uncompromised full-size
truck capability,
- $39,365 (including $975 DFC)
for 2WD models with the 3HA package and $45,500
(including DFC) with the 3HB package
GMC Sierra Hybrid
The 2009 Sierra Hybrid joins the
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid as the only full-size
hybrid pickup trucks on the market.
Equipped with
GM’s two-mode hybrid system, Sierra Hybrid is
offered in the crew cab body style and is also
available with 4WD.
EPA-estimated fuel economy for 2WD
models is 21 mpg city and 22 on the highway; 4WD
models are estimated at 20 mpg in city and highway
driving.
That mileage, combined with a 26-gallon (98
L) fuel tank, delivers a cruising range of more than
500 miles with 2WD models and more than 470 miles
with 4WD models
Production begins in December of
2008, with delivery to dealers expected in early
2009.
Towing capacity is rated at 6,100
pounds (2,767 kg). A $2,200 federal tax credit is
currently available to many customers who purchase
the Sierra Hybrid.
A well-equipped pickup
Sierra Hybrid 3HA models include
popular equipment such as the heavy-duty trailering
package;
StabiliTrak electronic stability control;
locking rear differential; EZ Lift tailgate and
lock; 18-inch wheels; cloth seats;
XM Satellite
Radio and OnStar. Also included are automatic
climate control, steering wheel audio controls and
Bluetooth phone capability.
Equipment that is specific to the
hybrid model includes:
- 6.0-liter V-8 engine (332 hp / 247 kW)
- Low rolling resistance tires
- Hybrid ornamentation
- Soft tonneau cover
- Head curtain side-impact air bags
In addition, a Sierra Hybrid 3HB
model is offered. It includes all of the 3HA content
as well as leather bucket seats
with six-way driver
and passenger power; Power Flow navigation with Bose
audio and rear-seat controls; rear park assist;
power adjustable pedals and a three-piece hard
tonneau cover. MSRP is $45,500 (including
destination charge).
300-volt for
two-mode tranny and AC, 42-volt for power steering,
12-volt accessories.
Quick disconnect on the battery.
I suppose if 300 volts has a problem, you'd want to shut
something off.
It's
odd looking at the front of the engine with no fan, no power steering
pump or belts.
Upper Left gauge, picture right
is the economy gauge that shows how you driving habits effect
fuel mileage. |
Cadillac Escape Hybrid for 50% Improved City
MPG
As big as it gets in a hybrid SUV.
Magnetic Ride Control, Automatic Rear Leveling Control. It's the fastest
auto air suspension I've tested. 22" wheels so I have enough bling.
Heated and cooled seats work for me. In the NAV system you can see where
the power is coming from on the hybrid. Automatic windshield wipers and
auto dim for the lights. I followed a truck that had dim tail lights and
my lights didn't auto dim. Did have 115 volt outlet which I missed on
the Sierra hybrid. No spare, just a sealant kit with air. 20 city 21
highway mpg all for $72,865
Standard traction control, remote start.
coil spring rear suspension is not my favorite for towing but the rear
air leveling stays put on this Caddy.
Picture right, fun watching mpg real
time.
110 volt outlet in the Cadillac. I like power tools like laptop,
battery charger, air compressor. Disappointed that the GMC
Sierra didn't have an outlet. |
GMC Yukon with Flex-Fuel
GM jumped in with both feet on the Ethanol
bandwagon with the most flex-fuel models. It looks good when E-85 is a
dollar cheaper than gas. But at least GM is trying with hybrids, Active
Fuel Management (8 to 4 cylinders), Flex-Fuel, the Yukon with 5.3L and
6-speed auto with double overdrives is EPA rated 14 mpg city, 20 mpg
highway.
6-speed auto is a big improvement with the
5.3L gas engine. Plenty of room, optional integrated trailer brake
controller, a good SUV for towing 8400 lbs in a 4x2.
Yellow is the theme for
E-85, I guess the color of corn as in corn alcohol.
Cimarron Two Horse
Bumper pull is well suited for towing behind Hybrids that are rated for
6100 lbs of trailer.
Both hybrids and the Yukon towed the
Cimarron 2H trailer well. Cimarron has one of the easiest towing bumper
trailers. I think it has to do with the shape of the V-nose from tongue
to the outside wall. Being aluminum I'm sure helps.
Quick Bite coupler is
slick for hooking up. Transwest Truck Trailer RV ordered a couple of
Cimarron's with Quick Bite Couplers. The jaws open, funnel to
the ball and snap shut. All you have to do is push in the extra safety
pin and raise your jack to hit the road.
Thanks to
http://quickbitecouplers.com/
and Transwest Truck Trailer RV
http://trailerwest.com/ |