Cower you carbon-belching luddites in your Mini Coopers and Beetles. The BigAss EcoTruck is here and it's running on clean, renewable BioDiesel.
What is the conservation-conscious Texas Republican supposed to do when looking for transportation? On the one hand, he'd like to have something economical and ecologically responsible. On the other hand he's in Texas and has to do a lot of driving and needs a big, comfortable vehicle that can seat the whole family. And, of course, it helps a lot if it's a pickup truck in order to fit in with the neighbors. The answer? Why a BigAss EcoTruck, of course.…
Article comments
26 - Dave Nalle
I imagine that anyone driving in one of Willie's old tour buses would be in serious danger of a major contact high.
Dave
27 - California Democrat
Why doesn't Texas Republican do like the Republican Governor of California, and go out and buy his and hers matching Humvees? Actually, the Eco Truck sounds Ok, but not for going to the market to pick up a carton of milk. For most people, a cheap plug-in hybrid makes a lot more sense, both economically and ecologically. Maybe someday Toyota will market one. Doesn't look like the Oil cartel or any American car manufacturers are interested in doing anything serious to help the nation, beyond getting crooked politicians re-elected.
28 - Dave Nalle
Sadly there are no decent hybrid pickups that can seat 5 available or that's what I would have gone for. It's discussed in the article.
Dave
29 - Rick
So, summing up what I’ve read here, I should get a Dodge 2500 crew cab maybe the Contractor’s Special with a V-6 engine. I can expect to get upwards of 20 mpg and it’s not too noisy. Man, that sounds like the ticket to me! I’m moving out to the Nashville, TN area and want to get a boat to haul around with the wife and the kids in the back (actually, the kids in the backseat and the wife in the front " in case my wife reads this. She keeps my privates in her purse and won’t let me have them back to wear occasionally unless I’m a good boy. I’d complain, but after being married all these years, I just don’t have the sack).
I have a Ford Ranger V-6 that gets 20 mpg on regular gas, but there’s no room in the backseat for the kids on a long trip. Your Dodge sounds like the deal to me, I’m going to start looking next month after tax returns. Thanks!
30 - Dave Nalle
You can't actually get the contractor's special, but the rest sounds about right. Oh, but don't expect your mileage to hit 20mpg until you've had the truck for a few months. But if you're a Ford fan, you're also in luck. I've been working on a follow up article based on the biodiesel experiences of an acquaintance and he's driving a Ford F-250 extended cab with similar results to what I've had with the Dodge, so that might be an option as well. It's actually a bit cheaper too - though the back seat isn't as comfy IMO.
Dave
31 - Jeff
I'm considering an F-250 as well. Any chance you could put me in contact with your acquaintance? I'm also in Austin, Texas.
32 - Dave Nalle
Jeff, use the author email link to send me an email and I'll see what I can do.
The F-250 engine is even more powerful than the one in the Ram 2500 that I have, but it seems to be a pretty solid truck. IMO it's overpriced and less comfortable than the Dodge, but comfort is highly subjective.
Dave