Scott Brady
Founder
I did a technical study on this topic just over a year ago, but thought some of you would enjoy the analysis.
Topic: Expedition Vehicle Fuel Consumption Rates and its impact on GVWR
Given all vehicles listed were completing a 1000 mile expedition fully self supported, in which all vehicles attained EPA city mileage. The 5gallon Jerry Can requirement is based upon all of the vehicles having the same sized gas tank as the Tacoma 6cyl Xtra Cab. The Tacoma 6cyl is the reference vehicle.
Reference:
Unleaded/Petrol Fuel: 6lbs per U.S. Gallon
Total Gallons Required= 1000 (miles traveled) / EPA (City) Mileage
Results:
Vehicle EPA (City) | Total Gallons | Fuel Mass | Mass Variance | 5gal Cans Req.
Tacoma 6cyl 17 | 59 Gal | 354 lbs. | Reference | reference
Suzuki Sidekick 22 | 45 Gal | 270 lbs. | -84 lbs | -3
Tacoma 4cyl 18 | 56 Gal | 336 lbs. | -18 lbs | -1
Tundra V8 15 | 67 Gal | 402 lbs. | 48 lbs | +2
Land Cruiser 13 | 77 Gal | 462 lbs. | 108 lbs | +4
Discovery II 13 | 77 Gal | 462 lbs. | 108 lbs | +4
Hummer H2 8.5 | 118 Gal | 706 lbs. | 352 lbs | +12
Payload Comparison (lbs.):
Vehicle | Payload | Fuel as a % of payload | Payload Remainder
Tacoma 6cyl | 1,585 | 22% | 1,231
Suzuki Sidekick | 898 | 30% | 628
Tacoma 4cyl | 1,630 | 21% | 1,294
Tundra V8 | 1,525 | 26% | 1,123
Land Cruiser | 1,470 | 31% | 1,008
Discovery II | 1,600 | 29% | 1,138
Hummer H2 | 2,200 | 32% | 1,494
General Conclusions:
- Available payload is a must greater factor than MPG in this study, unless fuel cost, or environmental impact is considered. For example, the H2 Hummer uses nearly 40% more fuel than any other vehicles in the study, but it also has the highest Payload Remainder.
- The vehicles at the two extremes (Hummer and Sidekick) both had fuel payloads over 30% of available payload capacity
- The Tacoma proved to be the most frugal selection, using much less fuel, while still having a high Payload Remainder.
- The Discover II also did well in the Payload Remainder, but suffers from poor economy based on the size of the vehicle.
Topic: Expedition Vehicle Fuel Consumption Rates and its impact on GVWR
Given all vehicles listed were completing a 1000 mile expedition fully self supported, in which all vehicles attained EPA city mileage. The 5gallon Jerry Can requirement is based upon all of the vehicles having the same sized gas tank as the Tacoma 6cyl Xtra Cab. The Tacoma 6cyl is the reference vehicle.
Reference:
Unleaded/Petrol Fuel: 6lbs per U.S. Gallon
Total Gallons Required= 1000 (miles traveled) / EPA (City) Mileage
Results:
Vehicle EPA (City) | Total Gallons | Fuel Mass | Mass Variance | 5gal Cans Req.
Tacoma 6cyl 17 | 59 Gal | 354 lbs. | Reference | reference
Suzuki Sidekick 22 | 45 Gal | 270 lbs. | -84 lbs | -3
Tacoma 4cyl 18 | 56 Gal | 336 lbs. | -18 lbs | -1
Tundra V8 15 | 67 Gal | 402 lbs. | 48 lbs | +2
Land Cruiser 13 | 77 Gal | 462 lbs. | 108 lbs | +4
Discovery II 13 | 77 Gal | 462 lbs. | 108 lbs | +4
Hummer H2 8.5 | 118 Gal | 706 lbs. | 352 lbs | +12
Payload Comparison (lbs.):
Vehicle | Payload | Fuel as a % of payload | Payload Remainder
Tacoma 6cyl | 1,585 | 22% | 1,231
Suzuki Sidekick | 898 | 30% | 628
Tacoma 4cyl | 1,630 | 21% | 1,294
Tundra V8 | 1,525 | 26% | 1,123
Land Cruiser | 1,470 | 31% | 1,008
Discovery II | 1,600 | 29% | 1,138
Hummer H2 | 2,200 | 32% | 1,494
General Conclusions:
- Available payload is a must greater factor than MPG in this study, unless fuel cost, or environmental impact is considered. For example, the H2 Hummer uses nearly 40% more fuel than any other vehicles in the study, but it also has the highest Payload Remainder.
- The vehicles at the two extremes (Hummer and Sidekick) both had fuel payloads over 30% of available payload capacity
- The Tacoma proved to be the most frugal selection, using much less fuel, while still having a high Payload Remainder.
- The Discover II also did well in the Payload Remainder, but suffers from poor economy based on the size of the vehicle.
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