Why is there no midsize diesel truck?

[CamaroSpike23]

from what I recall reading in a recent issue of Diesel World, Ford is supposed to be releasing a new V-8 diesel (that looks conspicuously like GM's postponed 4.5L duramax... reverse intake and all)



right now, there isnt a big enough market for it. I really wish there was. in fact, depending on how things go with the F150 I've got, it will be recieving a diesel swap in the future (stock 5.4's got 200k on it, and I like to pull things)



as for the emissions standards, Cummins has already surpassed the 2010.5 requirements for their diesels without having to use urea injection.

its possible, the technology is there, but until we can get the masses of america to seriously consider diesel and get out of the mindset that diesel is for big rigs and is big, black smoke cancer, I dont see us getting midsize diesels from the big 3 for a couple/few more years... if that.

[DGthe3]

It doesn't make sense in a market dominated by full size trucks. Why would anyone bother paying ~$27,000 for a midsize diesel when they can get a more capable full size for less?

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

It doesn't make sense in a market dominated by full size trucks. Why would anyone bother paying ~$27,000 for a midsize diesel when they can get a more capable full size for less?

If you could get a mid sized truck that was more efficient, more reliable, got better gas mpg, appealed to every crowd (construction/recreation/offroad) and still had enough power for 95% of people who use trucks, for under 27k, I think it would be a homerun.

[UCI CamaroFan]

I have an 83 Toyota pickup truck that has a small 4 cylinder diesel engine. It gets something stupid like 70 miles per gallon. (They DID allow the US to have that diesel truck, but only for like 2 years)

[DGthe3]

More efficient and better mileage you say? Interesting ...
Sorry, I had to.

Anyway, fact is that in the US the best selling light/midsize pickup (Toyota Tacoma) sold about the same as the 4th best selling full size last year (GMC Sierra). This is despite the fact that for the majority of truck buyers, the smaller ones will do the job just fine. But for next to no penalty you can get a better truck.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

More efficient and better mileage you say? Interesting ...
Sorry, I had to.
lol my bad

Anyway, fact is that in the US the best selling light/midsize pickup (Toyota Tacoma) sold about the same as the 4th best selling full size last year (GMC Sierra). This is despite the fact that for the majority of truck buyers, the smaller ones will do the job just fine. But for next to no penalty you can get a better truck.

The Tacoma doesn't offer a diesel option, and therefore isn't a good comparison. People that know trucks (at least everyone I know that has one) would go out of their way to spend extra $$ on a diesel.... SO I think its safe to conclude that if the Tacoma came with a diesel option it would be more popular.

And I don't think that I would go about thinking that every full size truck is 'better' than a mid size truck. I know which one I would want if I lived in a third world country or some other place which would test the limits of my vehicle every day..........

[coolman]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

This is despite the fact that for the majority of truck buyers, the smaller ones will do the job just fine. But for next to no penalty you can get a better truck.

That's the reason I always go big. No better mileage ,not that much cheaper, and can't do as much work. I don't know why they even make a small truck.
They would really have to do a major redesign to change my mind.

[nova]

Originally Posted by coolman

That's the reason I always go big. No better mileage ,not that much cheaper, and can't do as much work. I don't know why they even make a small truck.

If I had it to do over again I would have gotten a Silverado instead of my Colorado. It really gets no better gas mileage than a Silverado would have at the time and I can do a lot less with it. My wife and I are talking about getting a travel trailer in the future and I'll probably have to get a new truck to go along with it when we do...

[coolman]

Originally Posted by nova

If I had it to do over again I would have gotten a Silverado instead of my Colorado. It really gets no better gas mileage than a Silverado would have at the time and I can do a lot less with it. My wife and I are talking about getting a travel trailer in the future and I'll probably have to get a new truck to go along with it when we do...

I know what you mean. I had a brain fart one time and bought two colorados for my business. I thought they would save fuel. Big mistake. I got rid of both in less than a year. Don't get me wrong they were good trucks with no problems. Just didn't save anything and was more limited.

[Zeus]

That's why you need a good priced diesel lol


And just curious... but what exactly can you do in a Silverado that you can't do in a Tacoma?

[coolman]

Originally Posted by Zeus

That's why you need a good priced diesel lol


And just curious... but what exactly can you do in a Silverado that you can't do in a Tacoma?

I woun't be caught dead in a Tacoma, So I guess dying is one thing. Let me think, tow more, haul more materials and people, more power, better ride. I would say twice as much since the Tacoma is half the truck of the Silverado.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by coolman

I woun't be caught dead in a Tacoma, So I guess dying is one thing. Let me think, tow more, haul more materials and people, more power, better ride. I would say twice as much since the Tacoma is half the truck of the Silverado.

Yea I know, but pretend that I am trying to make a point and lets talk specifics.

What can you do in a Silverado that you can't do in a Tacoma. Specifically. Don't say 'haul more' because I know you can haul more, but if the Tacoma can haul the weight of a boat, then the silverado being able to haul more means jack $hit.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Zeus

Yea I know, but pretend that I am trying to make a point and lets talk specifics.

What can you do in a Silverado that you can't do in a Tacoma. Specifically. Don't say 'haul more' because I know you can haul more, but if the Tacoma can haul the weight of a boat, and then the silverado being able to haul more means jack $hit.

You can tow a bigger boat, the same boat plus 3 friends and all your supplies for the week, or the Tacoma and the boat.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by Zeus

Yea I know, but pretend that I am trying to make a point and lets talk specifics.

What can you do in a Silverado that you can't do in a Tacoma. Specifically. Don't say 'haul more' because I know you can haul more, but if the Tacoma can haul the weight of a boat, and then the silverado being able to haul more means jack $hit.

Well, I own a hvac business and getting into every detail about what the silverado can do more for me over a Tacoma or let's just say small trucks in general would take all day. AS for a boat, just like trucks they come in all sizes. Their's a lot of boats the Silverado could pull that a small truck couldn't. Besides people use their trucks for more than just pulling boats. At least I do. Much more.
It would be like bringing a 14" chain saw to cut 48" tree.