Trucks Plus November/December by RPM Canada

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CONTENTS

Canadian Truck King Challenge We put the five most popular half-ton pickups to the test ...pg 12

Returning

Shootout

The Dodge Durango is back! ...pg 20

We put three compact crossovers against each other... pg 22

Efficiency

EcoBoost Ford’s new engine combines power with efficiency... pg 36

Which trucks or crossovers will get you the best fuel mileage?...pg 32

Also Inside Fresh Tracks--------------------------------- 4 Product Review: Husky Liners----------- 38 Feature: New in Truck Tires-------------- 42 Feature: Xmas Gift Guide----------------- 44

RV-ing: Dutchmen Komfort-------------- 50 Gearing Up -------------------------------- 58 Stuck Trucks------------------------------- 62

DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

Preview What’s new for work-related vehicles in 2012.. pg 26

Project We put some comfort and luxury into our Budget Hauler...pg 54

FRESH TRACKS Volume 4, Issue No. 6 Septermber/October 2011 Publisher/Editor: Dean Washington

dean@rpmcanada.ca

Chrysler Ends Ram Dakota Production

Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca

Advertising Inquiries: sales@rpmcanada.ca Circulation: Brenda Washington brendaw@rpmcanada.ca Editorial Coordinator / Graphic Design: Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Controller: B.M. Walker Copy Editor: Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Sales & Marketing Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers/Photographers: Jordan Allan Tim Baille Howard J Elmer Russell Purcell Budd Stanley

MAILING ADDRESS: #1-1921 Broadway Street, Port Coquitlam, BC Canada V3C 2N2 TELEPHONE: (604) 629-9669 FAX: (778) 285-2449 TOLL FREE TEL: 1-888-500-4591 EMAIL: info@rpmcanada.ca WEBSITE: www.rpmcanada.ca Trucks Plus is published six times per year by RPM Media Inc. Second Class Mailing Agreement #40050183

Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

Yes, the world has lost yet another mid-sized pickup truck, with the official end of production of the Dakota at Chrysler’s Warren Truck Plant. Along with the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger, which have also already been retired, and the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon making their exit stage right, the segment is left with only a few lone survivors in the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and to a certain extent, the Suzuki Equator. However, all may not be lost at Ram as Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has commented that the Dakota will likely be replaced with a “lifestyle vehicle.” Meaning, don’t expect an old school body-on-frame mid-sized pickup to come back any time soon.

Icelandic Glacier Truck Builder Sets Record South Pole Crossing

We know the exotic machinery that Arctic Trucks of Iceland builds well. Its well-documented expedition to the North Pole with the Top Gear crew goes down as one of its greatest achievements. However, Arctic Trucks has been down in the south lately, and it has come back with a record. During the expedition organized by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society and The Antarctica Company, two Arctic Trucks Expedition AT44 vehicles crossed 2,308 km of the Antarctica High Plateau from Novolazarevskaya station (Novo) to the South Pole in 108 hours, (4.5 days), setting the new world record for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole from Novolazarevskaya Station, according to World Records Academy. Arctic Trucks designs and builds these vehicles based around the Toyota Hilux 3.0-litre turbo diesel. They traveled at an average speed to the South Pole of 21.4 km/h and achieved average fuel efficiency of 2.2 km per litre, with only a single refueling stop on the way.

Ford E-Series Makes Way For Transit

Does Ford still build the E-350? Yes, of course it does, but the vehicle is easily one of the most forgettable offerings on the market and really could use a shot in the arm. Enter Ford’s world car program that has seen us get not only the Transit Connect, but the Euro Fiesta and Focus as well, and all these vehicles are turning out to be a success story for Ford. So with the commercial van market beginning to heat up, it looks as though Ford may be bringing in another ringer, in the form of the Transit, the Transit Connect’s older and much more interesting brother. Ford isn’t saying much on the subject, but it has trademarked the T-series nomenclature and would likely build the Transit next to the F and E-series. Let’s hope that when the T-series gets here, a Sport version like that pictured here is also part of the lineup.

FRESH TRACKS Ford and Toyota Partnering To Icon Begins Reproducing the Classic Bronco Produce Hybrid Trucks Both Ford and Toyota have been strong proponents of the addition of hybrid vehicles into their fleets for nearly a decade now, and as such, both are looking to expand their hybrid technology into the full-size pickup and SUV market. As a result, Ford and Toyota have announced they will equally collaborate on the development of an advanced new hybrid system for light truck and SUV customers. This new hybrid powertrain will bring the full hybrid experience of greater fuel efficiency to a new group of truck and SUV customers. There is no word on what vehicles will be slated to get the fruits of these labours; however, it is likely the Super Duty and Tundra lines that will benefit. Ford and Toyota believe that their collaboration will allow them to bring these hybrid technologies to customers sooner and more affordably than either company could have accomplished alone.

We know Icon well for its resurrection of the iconic (no pun intended) Land Cruiser BJ-40 series of vehicles, as well as the flat-fendered Willys CJ, built with modern day technology and conveniences. And now, Icon has started production of yet another infamous 4WD, the Ford

Bronco. Based on the shell of a classic 1966-to-1977 Ford Bronco, the Icon BR is powered by one of the Blue Ovalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest 5.0-litre V8 engines that puts out 412 horsepower and 390 lb-ft torque. Those horses are transferred through a five-speed manual gearbox to an Atlas II transfer case and finally to stout custom-built Dana 60 and 44 solid axle assemblies. For now, thats all we have, but before you start checking the state of your bank account, be warned that the Land Cruiser and Jeep models start closer to $100k than you would think, and the Bronco will likely be even more with the extra body work.

Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

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FRESH TRACKS Ford F-250 Super Duty Sets Two Land Speed Records

The first thing most people think of when the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;land speed recordâ&#x20AC;? comes up, is images of rocket-powered, winged tubes speeding along the salt flats at near the speed of sound. Usually, to get these highly specialized vehicles running on their own power, a large pickup is used for the initial kick-start. However, the beauty of land speed records is that you can do them in anything, and Brent Hajek did just that, rocketing his Ford F-250 Super Duty into the record books for the fastest Diesel and Biodiesel truck. At the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Hajek Motorsports pushed a modified three-quarter-ton F-250 to a top speed of 171.23 mph, breaking the B production diesel truck record of 166.850 mph that was set by a GMC Duramax. Running on B20 biodiesel, the Super Duty set the unlimited biodiesel land speed record of 182 mph, breaking the previous record of 130.614 mph. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re guessing he had a little more than just a chip tune to accomplish such a feat.

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Vettel Gets Special Edition FX

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all that rare that Formula One racers get special edition vehicles built by the factory teams that employ them. Ferrari and Fiat made several different vehicles for Micheal Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. Likewise, Lewis Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen got a special edition Mercedes during their tenure at McLaren. Well, with Infiniti coming on board as a major sponsor of the Red Bull team, they decided it was about time that freshly crowned F1 Champ Sebastien Vettel deserved his own unique vehicle. However, while all the others have been cars, Vettel is getting himself a Crossover, a hopped-up FX-50, full of aerodynamic aids and performance enhancing upgrades. The 5.0-litre V8 was tuned to provide 420 hp, getting the big ute to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. With the addition of a high-downforce aerodynamics package developed by Infiniti in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, the 300-km/h crossover is billed by Infiniti as the most focused and exclusive sports crossover ever built.

Ram Power Wagon Gets Some Attention

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Not that the big Power Wagon needed much, as it proved one of the most impressive 4x4s weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve driven when we tested it down in Moab last year, but it seems that Ram thinks the Power Wagon family needed to get bigger. Chrysler Canada has announced that the most capable offroad full-size truck on the market, the Ram

NOV / DEC 2011

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FRESH TRACKS Power Wagon, will now be available in two additional models - ST and Laramie. The new Ram Power Wagon ST will offer off-road enthusiasts all of the Ram Power Wagon’s 4X4 capability in a value-oriented package. The Ram Power Wagon Laramie will offer more comfort and luxury features. Each of the three Ram Power Wagon models will have its own distinctive look. New for 2012, the Power Wagon is now available with a new RamBox storage system for trucks with 1.9-metre beds and a new heavy-duty sixspeed automatic transmission. Power Wagon is rated to tow up to 4,650 kg (10,250 lb.) with a Class IV trailer hitch, all standard. The Ram Power Wagon ST package will appeal to customers such as fire and emergency services, mining companies, oil exploration and forestry services for daily off-road duty, while the Laramie broadens Ram’s hard-core off-road lineup, adding comfort and convenience features, such as leather-faced seats, premium audio, dual-zone Air Conditioning and woodgrain dash and door panels. The MSRP for the 2012 Ram Power Wagon ST is $49,290 and $57,835 for the 2012 Ram Power Wagon Laramie. The 2012 Ram Power Wagon SLT starts at $51,390.

Future Bentley SUV To Be Twin-Turbo V12 Powered?

The Volkswagen family is a close one, to say the least. Like the prior GM family, it’s not uncommon to see several cars built on the same platforms using the same parts from the company’s rather large bin of spares.

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The latest vehicle in the works would see yet another version of the VW Touareg/Audi Q7/Porsche Cayenne get a Bentley logo slapped on the front grille. However, Bentley has now revealed that it will be the only SUV in the world to feature a W12 engine. The gasoline-fueled W12, most likely the same 6.0L 552-hp unit found in the Continental GT, Flying Spur, VW Phaeton, Audi A8 and Euro Touareg, will likely be a second generation version of the engine. Moreover, the Bentley SUV will be designed in such a manner that it won’t just carry the W12 engine, but a V12 engine as well, because the company plans to offer a V12 TDI version of the SUV a few years after its launch.

Evoquetive Excite Rally Raider Looks Ready For Dakar Duty

The Excite Rallye Raid Team has announced its equipment lineup for 2012 and also for the 2013 Dakar Rally; the team will be running three vehicles specially commissioned from RaBe Race Cars. However, these T3 class raiders do have an Evoquetive look to them, resembling a certain Land Rover product. While Land Rover has not entered the Dakar Rally Raid Series with a factory effort, it seems that the privateers are carrying the Land Rover flame as both Excite and Bowler will run competition vehicles based on familiar Land Rover designs. However, unlike the Bowler, the similarities end with the bespoke bodywork, for underneath lay a tube-frame chassis cradling a 275-horsepower BMW 3.0L diesel worth 650 lb-ft of torque with the mandatory FIA turbo restrictor. Piloting the first vehicle will be well-known British Rally Champion, Martin Rowe, while the other two trucks will be in the care of John Hardy and Andrew Coley. While the new vehicle technically has nothing to do with Land Rover, we have to say that it does make one great looking raider.

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2012 Canadian Truck King Challenge

By Howard J Elmer

ickup trucks are a vital business tool; however, in North America, they are also a part of our culture, often working all day and acting as family transport at night and on weekends. With this in mind, the fifth running of the Canadian Truck King Challenge employed average truck owners, just like our readers, to evaluate the most popular half-ton pickups in the market. These men and women are not writers or professional reviewers, but they are a cross-section of the Canadian truck buying public. Driving and judging the trucks this year were just two writers - myself and Jil Macintosh, automotive journalist for the Toronto Star. Jil has been involved with judging trucks since the first Challenge back in ’06, but the other drivers were new to judging – but not new to trucks. Ed C is a serving Royal Canadian Air Force Warrant Officer with years of pickup and towing experience. Ed D is a 30-year veteran Toronto Transit driver with his own RV towing history. Matt E, a 20-something driver for Waste Management, has driven trucks and towed since he was first licensed. Towing in particular was a key part of the challenge this year. This reflects the increasing number of owners who tow regularly across the country; in fact, it’s become a sales tool for the manufacturers who regularly advertise the weight-bearing abilities of their vehicles, which they also seem to push higher and higher each year.

The five drivers cycled through the vehicles towing the five identical trailers over a 300 km route that included a long portion of hilly terrain with grades of up to 9 percent. A full day was spent towing these trailers on main and secondary roads, with a final section of highway where speeds of at least 100 km/h were maintained. After returning the trailers, we re-fuelled and calculated real-world towing fuel consumption for each of the trucks. Also of note is the fact that what started out as a courtesy to one of our judges turned into an interesting addition to the judging. Wives, girlfriends and one husband accompanied each of the judges and were more than vocal in adding their opinions and observations to those of the drivers. The competitors this year were:

• • • • •

2011 Ford F-150, Crew Cab, 4WD, Platinum, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, six-speed automatic MSRP $64,449. 2012 Toyota Tundra, Double Cab, 4WD, TRD Off-road Pack age, 5.7L i-Force V8, six-speed automatic, MSRP $43,975.20 2012 Nissan Titan, 4-door Cab, 4WD, SL CC, 5.6L V8, five- speed automatic, MSRP $ 52,228. 2012 Ram 1500, Crew Cab, 4WD, Laramie, 5.7L Hemi V8, six-speed automatic, MSRP $54,825 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, Crew Cab, 4WD, SLE, Vortec 5.3L V8 (w/active fuel management), six-speed automatic, MSRP $52,915.

After two days of hectic testing and intense weather we have determined that the Ram 1500 will wear the Truck King crown for 2012. Here is how we came to that conclusion. To be dead fair to all the trucks, we partnered with Campkins, an RV dealer, which loaned us five new travel trailers each with a net weight of 8,000 lb. I chose this weight as being one that each truck could handle according to its published specifications but at the same time I wanted a load that would approach the limits that the truck companies keep telling the public they can tow. Also, to be as fair as possible to each truck, we also borrowed five new equalizing hitches from Equalizer. These spread the load 12 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

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across the chassis of each truck and achieved a level attitude for the entire rig that did not compromise the steering. All this was done in Campkin’s Service Centre by their trained technicians and took the best part of a day to complete. The following morning we set off into the Haliburton Highlands, in torrential rain, which is by now what we call the Truck King curse; we have yet to run this two-day test in dry weather.

KILOMETRES AND FUEL FIGURES START FINISH TOTAL TRUCK KM KM KM RAM 1500 1564 2161 597 FORD F-150 15,345 15,946 601 GMC SIERRA 1500 665 1252 587 TOYOTA TUNDRA 1312 1912 600 NISSAN TITAN 811 1399 588 2973 14 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

The full second day of testing started out with us picking up pallets of shingles, supplied by IKO, and driving a 200-km route with this 1,800-lb payload on each truck. We kept track of the fuel consumption during this test as well. Finally, we drove the trucks empty for 150 km and finished with an off-road section that unfortunately, this year, was interrupted by an Act of God. The abandoned Colonization Road I use near Head Lake, ON was blocked by downed trees, knocked down by the wind storm of Oct 19th. So, while the judges had an opportunity to see how the trucks handled off-road, we weren’t able to cycle everyone through the pickups in equal time allotments before dark – so this part of the overall test was not scored and not used to calculate the winner. What follows are the judges’ scores (three categories – 0-10), their overall choice (first through fifth) and comments on the options and best features on the trucks.

NEW WHEELS

Results: Nissan Titan

TOWING

PAYLOAD

Ed D

7.5

extendible mirrors

slide down rear window

mirrors

Ed C

running boards

sun roof

dampened tailgate

Howard

7.5

spray-in bed liner

engine package

trailer tow mirrors

Jil

towing mirrors

wood grain accents

towing mirrors

Mat

6.5

towing mirrors

cloth floor mats

quiet cab

Totals

5.7

5.6

6.9

4.4

TOWING

PAYLOAD

Ed D

Express down pwr window

On Star

trailer hookup design &connections

Ed C

running boards

sun roof

trailer hookup design &connections

Howard

On Star turn by turn nav

Leather seats w/o heaters

trailer hookup design &connections

Jil

Back up camera

On Star

centre console design

Mat

Back up camera

Sun roof

manual gear slection button

5.2

6.8

7.2

4.2

TOWING

PAYLOAD

Ed D

8.5

Ed C

Howard Jil

GMC Sierra 1500

Totals Ford F-150

EMPTY

CHOICE

OPTION I WOULD BUY

OPTION I’D NEVER BUY

BEST FEATURE ON THE TRUCK

OPTION I WOULD BUY

Auto running boards

Moonroof

step entry tail gate

9.5

power folding mirrors

Auto running boards

EcoBoost engine

8.5

7.5

Crew Cab (best design)

Auto running boards

EcoBoost engine

Auto running boards

Platinum Pkg

EcoBoost engine

Mat

7.5

8.5

7.5

step entry on tailgate

Platinum Pkg

Standard mirrors

Totals

7.4

8.1

8.3

16 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

Total LITRES KM 260 81.7 263 74.8 264 74.15 264 68.98 275 75

L/100 KM 31.0 28.4 28.1 26.2 27.3

OPTION I’D NEVER BUY

BEST FEATURE ON THE TRUCK

CHOICE

TOWING START FINISH TRUCK KM KM RAM 1500 1564 1824 FORD F-150 15,345 15,608 GMC SIERRA 1500 665 929 TOYOTA TUNDRA 1312 1576 NISSAN TITAN 811 1068

EMPTY

CHOICE

BEST FEATURE ON THE TRUCK

NEW WHEELS

Results (cont’d): Toyota Tundra

TOWING

PAYLOAD

Ed D

7.5

Off road package

the tires

ride

Ed C

8.5

running boards

sun roof

Dampened tail gate

Howard

7.5

Off road package

Bedliner

Dampened tail gate

Jil

3.5

Parking Sensors

Rear power window

Leveling Headlights

Mat

5.5

Off road package

Bedliner

Power and Transmission

7.8

6.2

7.7

TOWING

PAYLOAD

Ed D

8.5

Heated steering wheel

Sun roof

interior exterior design

Ed C

8.5

Ram Box

Sun roof

Ram Box

Howard

7.5

Heated steering wheel

Sun roof

interior design

Jil

Heated steering wheel

Ram Box

exterior design

Mat

non-slip bedliner

Sun roof

Bed with Ram Boxes

8.2

8.4

8.6

1.4

Totals Dodge Ram 1500

Totals

EMPTY

CHOICE

OPTION I WOULD BUY

OPTION I’D NEVER BUY

PAYLOAD START FINISH TRUCK KM KM RAM 1500 1824 2038 FORD F-150 15,608 15,831 GMC SIERRA 1500 929 1138 TOYOTA TUNDRA 1576 1798 NISSAN TITAN 1068 1284

18 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

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Total LITRES KM 204 47.3 223 46.5 209 42.92 222 43.48 216 47.34

L/100 KM 23.2 20.9 20.5 19.6 21.9

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NEW WHEELS

Upmarket package looking for more muscle

Story and photos by Russell Purcell

t’s nice to see new products rolling into Chrysler dealerships as the iconic American giant has been on the mat for too long. It is also nice to see the return of one of the company’s most popular offerings, the Dodge Durango CUV. The first thing I noticed as I approached the 2011 Dodge Durango for the first time was how much better it looked than the previous version. The first-generation Durango looked rather rugged and powerful, while the second generation looked bloated, and far too much like a mini-van. The 2011 edition of the Durango is all-new, and its outward appearance looks decidedly upmarket, but with a just a hint of aggression. The wide cross-hair grille, huge headlamps, and swollen hood should help the brand attract those buyers looking to stand out from the crowd of rather vanilla offerings from its many rivals. The interior treatment on my test unit was very attractive, and the spacious cabin offered room for up to seven occupants. The quality of the leather seating, panel surfaces, dashboard and trim represents an enormous improvement for the Dodge brand. Mind you, my vehicle was a fully-loaded Citadel model, so comfort and convenience amenities and accessories were in abundance. The truck-based ladder frame has been discarded in favour of a more modern uni-body platform that the Durango now shares with the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. This has resulted in a very refined ride and more predictable handling. I found the ride experience to be very civilized and on par with that of many luxury cars, and the cabin seemed well insulated from wind, road and engine noise. In fact, the Durango seemed far too quiet for my liking, so it was time to investigate. I was horrified at what I discovered. Popping the hood release I was surprised to see that the company’s rumbling Hemi V8 engine was 20 Trucks Plus

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MIA. Instead, the engine bay housed the company’s award-winning 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 mated to a five-speed automatic. Yes, I did say five-speed. Sure, the Pentastar still delivers a commendable 290 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but it doesn’t feel like it when you step on the accelerator. Most would agree that those are healthy power ratings on paper, but on the road, the Durango’s motivation was woefully anaemic. So much so that if my regular routine required me to transport a full load of passengers on a regular basis, I know that I wouldn’t be happy with the performance delivered by this set-up. I can’t even fathom using this combination to pull a trailer through the mountainous regions through which I tend to travel, even though corporate literature rates it for 2,812 kg (6,200 lb) and touts it as best-in-class for V6-powered vehicles in this category. I realize that both the Pentastar V6 and the transmission have been engineered to maximize fuel-efficiency, but for this application, the

NEW FLARES combination is really overmatched by the weight and size of the vehicle. Maybe I would be more open to the V6 if I lived in Saskatchewan, free of long climbs and mountain passes, but, in reality, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even feel confident enough in the power delivery to perform simple passing manoeuvres during my brief time with the vehicle. There are four models in the Durango line-up, and all feature active all-wheel drive. An entry level Durango SXT can be had for $37,995, whereas the Citadel starts at $49,995. The Citadel package brings a lot to the party, including Nappa leather seating, HID headlights, 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, and a media centre which includes a Garmin-engineered navigation system. The winter chill will be defeated by a heated steering wheel, while ventilated seating will keep your core cool during the summer months. Safety goodies include a blind spot monitoring system as well as adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning capabilities. In short, there is a lot of value here, but my advice is to pony up the extra $2,000 for the Hemi upgrade, which apart from planting the sweet 5.7-litre V8 under the hood, also gets you a 6-speed transmission. The extra fuel costs wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t break you in the long run, as the HEMI VVT V8 features the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advanced FuelSaver Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which alternates between four-cylinder mode when less power is required and full V8 performance when the engine is under load. With 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque on tap, I suspect the hills would flatten and towing would be much less of a chore. Even more importantly, my ears would tickle to the visceral growl generated by one of the smoothest V8 engines in the marketplace.

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SPECIFICATIONS: Base price (MSRP): .............$ $49,995 + $1,400 freight and PDI Type:...................................... 4-door, 7-passenger full-size CUV Layout:.......................................................... Front engine, AWD Engine:........ 3.6L V6 DOHC 24 valves / 5.7L V8 OHV 16 valves Horsepower:...................... 290 @ 6,400 rpm / 360 @ 5,150 rpm Torque (lb-ft):..................... 260 @ 4,800 rpm / 390 @ 4,250 rpm Transmission:.................................. 5-speed auto / 6-speed auto Cargo capacity: .............. 487 L (17.2 cu.ft.) - 2393 L (84.5 cu.ft.) Towing capacity: ......... V6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2,812 kg (6,200 lbs) / V8 - 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) Fuel consumption (L/100km):V6 - City: 13.0 / Hwy: 8.9 V8 - City: 16.6 / Hwy:10.1

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NEW WHEELS

Battle Of The Cute Utes

We pit three unique compact crossovers against each other to see if fun and utility mix Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of MINI, Nissan and Mitsubishi With the slow extermination of the family station wagon almost complete, the once-powerful family hauler has been replaced several times over the last few decades, first by the minivan and then the SUV. However, while these options do increase the versatility of family transportation, there is a new segment currently being created to fill a void for those who don’t want to sacrifice a fun car for the sake of versatility. For young families, the thought of driving a minivan is about as attractive as enrolling into an oldfolks home, while the sheer expense and questionable handling characteristics of the generic SUV are shady at best. However, there is a new breed of crossovers hitting the market, a breed full of life, spunkiness, fun and economy. They all boast promises of sporty performance and fuel-sipping economy that their bigger brethren just can’t match. More importantly, they offer the young family an alternative path from the regular sheep, to own something that can haul a couple of kids around with some equipment, yet be fun to drive as well. Our group consists of the all-new MINI Countryman, the Nissan Juke and Mitsubishi’s RVR. Here’s how they stack up in the real world. MINI Countryman As a big MINI fan, I was curious to see what BMW had cooked up for its first foray into the crossover segment. Being a sporty niche vehicle first and foremost, I figured the Countryman would be a slightly bigger Cooper offering four-doors and all-wheel drive. And true enough, that’s exactly what MINI did. The Countryman Cooper S ALL4 that I tested had the personality of a bigger, plumper Cooper S, the Erik Carman of the MINI line if you will. As such, you get all the high performance that you get in the Cooper S, excellent acceleration, braking and nimble handling; only slightly subdued by the added girth. It performs 22 Trucks Plus

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just the way you would expect a MINI to perform, albeit with a wee bit of a top-heavy feel to it – well, as top-heavy as a go-kart can get, that is, being good fun to tear up a country road once you’ve dropped the wife and kids off at the mall. However, this also creates several disadvantages that the MINI must live with. Using the motor and gearbox from the Cooper S, the added weight has amplified the weaknesses that package possesses. The clutch, for instance, is not the most user friendly to even seasoned stick-shift drivers, but put into a bigger, heavier package, it’s downright ridiculous. Void of any feel and with a very high engagement point, the clutch in the MINI is one of the worst I’ve driven and I’m including exotic sports cars. The pride-crushing combination of a weak clutch matched to a drivetrain that is controlled by both traction control and rollback control, amassed a group of spectators watching me try to pull the MINI out of the steep driveway of an Okanagan tourist attraction. I stalled the bloody thing six times, effectively making me the more entertaining attraction, as I lurched, popped

and revved the stubborn little MINI up the narrow exit. Secondly, don’t expect to go any farther off-road than a gravel driveway, as the poor clutch matched with low ride height and approach/departure angles make any kind of off-roading an embarrassing affair. With the extra-miniature size, rear seating is for two only, the cargo area is scarce at best and the small rear doors can make parking the little ones into car seats a bit of a test of flexibility. So, in the MINI’s case, versatility and fun don’t mix; however, it was by far the best driver’s car of the bunch. The Countryman is all about having fun, and when it comes to driving pleasure, it changed the way I thought of crossovers, offering great playfulness that would challenge many sports cars, matched with a tested 8.1L/100km combined fuel efficiency out of the little turbocharged 1.6L, albeit at a starting price of $27,850. I hate to say it, but I think if I wanted a more versatile MINI, I’d pick the Clubman and save a couple of grand while keeping 100 percent of the fun at the expense of an AWD drivetrain.

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Nissan Juke Next we come to the Juke. Yeah, it’s an odd one, looking like the offspring of a Mitsubishi Evo IV and an evil frog. Like many of Nissan’s offerings, it’s not for everyone, but at least you won’t be mistaken for one of the sheep buying crossovers just because everyone else is. While the Juke’s shape looks like it’s performance focused only, the versatility of the vehicle was actually quite surprising. Under the sleek body is a roomy interior and a decent amount of cargo space, while the ride height offers good off-road clearances. Even if the drivetrain may not be as robust as the RVR’s, I had great fun bombing the Juke down some logging roads in search of a camping spot. Ergonomics of the driving position also make the Juke a fun vehicle on-road as well, but the suspension tuning does not quite make up for the sporty design of the vehicle. However, it’s still good fun to toss around on a windy road.

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The turbocharged 1.6L engine putters away nicely when running errands, but when it’s time to have some fun, the turbo spools out a peppy 188 hp. It’s just too bad that it is forced to continually scream, as it is attached to a CVT transmission. Annoying to listen

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Trucks Plus 23

NEW WHEELS like the Juke, the RVR comes with a CVT transmission, which is very annoying, but allows the vehicle to get great fuel efficiency. Mitsubishi calls it at 8.0L in the city and 6.6L on the highway, but with off-roading thrown into my testing, the combined figured quickly raised to 10.4L. However, the RVR’s drivetrain is by far the most versatile of the bunch. The driver can select front-wheel drive when putting around, 4WD when things get slippy, or into a locked up 4WD for terrain that the MINI and Nissan could only dream of tackling. For the outdoors family, the RVR is the choice, yet at the same time, it’s still good fun to toss into the tarmac corners as well.

to, it doesn’t provide the driver interaction that you get with the MINI’s manual box, but it does give the Juke compact car-like fuel efficiency. However, that will be hard to believe if you keep the turbo lit, as a small fuel tank had me making short trips to the gas station more times than I would have figured. With great character, fun disposition, good versatility and abilities, the Juke is a refreshing departure from the mass-produced crossovers, available for an impressive $19,998 MSRP.

Conclusion Well, the results speak for themselves. While all three cars are fantastically unique departures from the mundane crossover segment, each goes about it in a very different way. For those who don’t want to stray too far from the traditional crossover philosophy but want good off-road capabilities matched with good versatility and sporty looks and good fuel efficiency, the RVR adds a nice amount of spunk to the common crossover. For those looking to swing the pendulum to the other side, the MINI is easily the most fun crossover on the planet to drive, but it is a car that sacrifices versatility and space the most to put a big smile on your face. Fuel efficiency is good, but the cost to get into a MINI is by far the highest of the bunch.

Mitsubishi RVR Finally, we come to the Mitsubishi RVR. Of the three, this is by far the more traditional-looking crossover, but it offers up what most others do not - an intriguing design, great fuel efficiency and great handling. The weaknesses of the RVR will likely be that it does not offer the character of the other two vehicles, and its on-road performance is nowhere near that of the MINI, lacking a turbo. However,

However, the best-matched crossover utility with fun-loving handling, good fuel efficiency and a massive amount of character was the Nissan Juke. It didn’t quite have the space or off-road abilities of the RVR, or the pure driving pleasure of the MINI, but it did all things well, which is the core purpose of the crossover segment. And it does it in an efficient and young-at-heart way for a great price.

24 Trucks Plus

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NEW FEATURE WHEELS feature called Electronic Range Select (ERS). Along with this upgrade comes a new torque converter with increased efficiency and improved fuel economy. For 2012, Ram 1500 Crew Cab gets (available) the RamBox cargo management system that provides weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage built into both fenders. Each box holds up to five cases (120 cans) of 12-ounce beverages, or tools if you prefer. There is also a bed divider and two-foot bed extender for oversize loads. A rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats increases tie-down capability. The Ram’s tailgate now gets a standard spring assist feature that lets you open and close the tailgate with one hand.

Work Truck Preview By Howard J Elmer

ontinued high gas prices this year are a concern and focus for fleets and private owners alike, and these concerns have spawned several fuel-saving initiatives from GM and Ford, while on the alternative fuel front, for instance, Ford is now offering Natural Gas as an option for Transit Connect, E-Series vans and F-Series Super Duty trucks. Electrification is also moving forward with several companies pushing dedicated route vehicles towards electric-only propulsion. Traditional gas and diesel engines also continue to evolve towards greater fuel efficiency with several versions available now. And, this is a trend that is going to continue far into the future as evidenced by a recent joint announcement from Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corp. These two leading hybrid manufacturers are now collaborating on the development of an advanced new hybrid system for work-themed light trucks and SUVs. This shared platform will be the underpinning of several new vehicles towards the end of the decade.

Pickup Trucks 2012 Ram Trucks and Heavy Duty Ram has introduced a new Tradesman pickup based on the Ram 1500 ST trim package, with a standard 5.7L HEMI engine with five-speed automatic transmission. With the aim of bringing a V8powered work truck to the market (at a very low price) this package also includes a Class IV hitch with four- and seven-pin connector, HD engine cooling and transmission oil cooler. It will tow 10,450 lb. Tradesman is available as a regular cab, short-bed (6 ft, 4 in) or long-bed (8 ft) with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4. Just for fun, Ram is also offering a 2012 “Express” version of the Tradesman which features upgraded wheels and paint. The rest of the Ram half-ton line-up remains mostly the same this year with a few key exceptions. The 4.7L and 5.7L V8s are now coupled to a new six-speed automatic transmission with a new calibration 26 Trucks Plus

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Inside, the Crew Cab gets a pair of “store in the floor” bins with removable liners that offer even more storage. Other new storage locations include a large upper glove box, map pockets in door panels and a configurable centre console. For 2012, the Heavy Duty Ram comes with its newly upgraded Cummins turbo-diesel (makes 800 lb-ft of torque now) and the truck body gets a strengthened chassis and rear-end. With these improvements, the HD Ram 3500 can now tow up to 22,700 lb. It will also come with a package of components that will increase GCWR to 30,000 lb. I recently towed a gooseneck trailer loaded with 17,500 lb on it around the Chrysler test track and felt that the truck was comfortable and confident with that weight. The new suspension improvements worked in harmony with the six-speed automatic, the standard engine brake and integrated trailer brake controller. Acceleration was good and emergency braking controlled. 2012 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra and Heavy Duty For GM, the 2011 model year was a big one with the complete revamp of the HD series Silverado and Sierra. The half-ton line, however, was last upgraded in ’09 and continues along mostly unchanged. So, overall, for 2012 the models hold steady, though there are some interesting items in both heavy and light duty. For instance, in the never ending “how much will a truck tow” competition between manufacturers, GM has added a 6.2L engine to the 1500 lineup. This pushes up the payload and trailering limits to 10,600 lb. They are also offering a fuel economy package called XFE. Available on the 5.3L Sierra 1500 2WD (Crew Cab only), it combines a sixspeed automatic transmission with AFM (Active Fuel Management). This system shuts off the fuel to four of the V8’s cylinders when not needed. GM claims a fuel consumption rating of 13.7L in the city and 9.1L on the highway for this truck.

FEATURE

As I said, 2011 was the big year for the HD series and it’s worth noting the new features that are moving forward into the 2012 model year. Among the highlights of this new truck are:

• • • • • • •

New Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel rated at 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque. Max towing of 21,700 lb. Max payload of 6,635 lbs supported by a new frame and stronger suspensions. B20 biodiesel capable New smart exhaust brake system Trailer sway control, integrated trailer brake control, hill start assist, automatic grade braking and intelligent brake assist. New exterior design features louvred hood, front bumper, grille and 20-inch wheels

Toyota Tundra Toyota Tundra is due for a next generation upgrade, but to date, there is no word on when that might be happening. So, right now, for 2012 the Tundra moves forward largely unchanged, Last year there were some minor changes to payload and towing limits. Powerwise, it still sports the powerful 381-hp 5.7L V8 as its main engine. However a 4.6L V8 came in as a fuel saver two years ago offering an 11-percent improvement in fuel consumption over the

2012 Ford F150 and SuperDuty The F150 gets a range of new engines for 2012; however, the one making news is the V6 EcoBoost. Ford marketing says the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 has the power of a V8 yet offers good fuel consumption. 14.7L City and 10.7L highway is the claim. The V6 engine program manager for this project is Jim Mazuchowski, a Dearborn-based engineer who has been explaining the promises EcoBoost is making longer than anyone else. I asked him to break down for me (in plain-speak) what makes the EcoBoost as powerful and efficient as it is. In a word, said Mazuchowski, “power density.” He explained it this way. “This is achieved by coupling two technologies – forced air through twin turbos and direct gas injection. First, the turbos cool and compress air making it denser as it’s pushed into the engine. This charged air also cools the cylinder and injected fuel. The result is a dense mixture that burns fully. Also, fuel pressure in the injection process ranges from 65 to 2000 psi during delivery, and the fuel/air mixture has a high rate of tumble through a new port design. It is also detonated in a cylinder with a new piston. We’ve used something like a diesel piston head with a bowl design.” The message seems to be getting through to buyers, 41% of whom have ordered their new F-150s with this engine since its introduction in March. Like the HD Chevy, the 2011 SuperDuty was an all-new truck, introduced in late ‘09. For 2012, it moves forward with its new Power Stroke diesel engine (built for the first time by Ford itself) and all-new body. Of note, for the coming year, is the fifth-wheel hitch that can be ordered direct from the factory and is warrantied by them. 28 Trucks Plus

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outgoing 4.7L engine. This new 4.6L makes 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque and is rated at a combined fuel efficiency of 12.2L/100km in 2WD and 14.6L/100km in 4WD. The mid-size Tacoma, though, is rumoured to be getting an upgrade for the 2012 model year, later this fall. However, at press time, there are no confirmed facts available to pass on.

Commercial Vehicles Nissan NV For 2012, Nissan jumps into the commercial market with its all-new NV, a van with a pickup-like front end that Nissan says combines truck comfort and drivability with a cargo van’s capacity and security. This NV line-up features an NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. Built as a classic bodyon-frame, these trucks support rising payloads with either a standard-height roof (available on all models) or a higher roof.

FEATURE This full-size van has three body configurations: Standard Roof (NV1500, NV2500, NV3500) while a high roof is available on the NV2500 and NV3500. Its standard 4.0L V6 is a decent compromise between fuel efficiency and power, however a 5.6L V8 is an option. With its pickup-like design, there is no “doghouse” intruding into the cab, freeing up space under the instrument panel and between the seats. I’ve driven the NV and found the cab to have good visibility with the corners of the vehicle well defined. The mirrors are large, the steering precise and the turning radius reasonably tight. A nice new van option to check out.

Ford Transit Connect Transit Connect enters its third model year in North America and continues to use its small but fuel-efficient 2.0L Duratec I4 engine. However, safety-wise, it’s being upgraded with Ford’s

Nissan is also pushing into other fleet markets, such as the taxi business. In fact, New York City has just chosen its smaller NV200

as its “Taxi of Tomorrow.” The NV200 is to be the exclusive taxi of New York City beginning in late 2013. This award comes after a rigorous selection process that occurred over more than two years. This competition is built upon more than a century of taxi industry heritage to drive the design and create a purpose-built vehicle, tuned to the city’s streets. The other two finalists included Ford Motor Co. and Karsan, a Turkish vehicle manufacturer. Mercedes Sprinter Mercedes has taken Sprinter back under its wing and is offering the same diesel-powered vans as were previously marketed by Dodge. The chief change is the dealer and service network. Available in 11 different models for 2012, the Sprinter is probably best known for its high roof line that couriers and contractors love. It also offers “bus” versions and can carry varying amounts of weight; there is even a dually 3500-series available. All Sprinters are powered by a 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. For 2012, new additional standard equipment has been added, including heated and power-adjustable side mirrors and also a new trailer hitch prep package with seven-pole connector. One new option of interest is the new long axle (4.182:1) available for all 2500 variants, which will provide improved torque at the wheels for customers who frequently tow or carry the maximum cargo load.

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electronic stability control system. Called AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control), it will now be standard across the Transit Connect line. This technology is designed to help a driver keep the vehicle under control in a variety of conditions. Also new for 2012 is a personal-use Transit Connect, the XLT Premium Wagon. It is aimed at the buyer needing a vehicle with room for four passengers while still requiring the versatility of the Connect. For 2012, the all-electric, zero emission van will be a late year entry. With a range of up to 130 km, it’s being aimed at fleets with well-defined, predictable daily routes. A collaboration between Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics, these Transit Connect Electric vans can be recharged using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet. Ram Cargo Van Ram Trucks has taken the Caravan into its fleet portfolio this year and tricked it out with a new V6 engine and expanded capacities. This Ram Cargo Van features new solid sliding-door and rear quarter window privacy panels. All vans get an aluminum rear floor and 144 cubic feet of cargo space. Powered by the new Pentastar V6 engine, the Ram C/V offers 1,800 lb of payload and will tow up to 3,600 lb. This engine makes 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A driver-selectable fuel economizer mode is also included.

The Good, The Bad an

Which trucks get the most for your fuel buck, and w

Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of each manu

As we round out 2011, manufacturers are making great efforts to increase the economy and the eco frien beyond. Uncertain fuel prices and governmental regulations are beginning to demand that each vehicle b we are looking back at the class of 2011 to see who built the most efficient crossovers and trucks, and w

While we have had the pleasure of driving a great number of crossovers and trucks this year, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hav on our own to select the top five vehicles for each class. So, all data was compiled from stats posted by th EnerGuide is the government organization run by Natural Resources Canada to test and display efficiency manufacturers, as displayed on the window sticker on every new car, showing annual cost of fuel

After studying the data, a couple of interesting facts showed up. For one, Flex Fuel Vehicles faired poorly Pickup categories with some dismal numbers. Another has been the efficiency of hybrid powertrains in ful by mid-sized trucks, GMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hybrids did a commendable job of pushing the smaller and lighter trucks out of Variable Transmissions, has made a massive difference in the efficiency of the smaller crossovers, with al are usually left to compact cars. So, as rated by EnerGuide, we have compiled the good, the bad and the ugly of 2011 Pickup, SUV

nd The Ugly

whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just blowing hot air

ufacturer

ndliness of their upcoming models for 2012 and be as efficient and clean as possible. As a result, who fell short of such environmental aspirations.

Toyota Tacoma 10L/100 KM City, 7.7L/100 KM HWY

ve the resources or time to compile accurate data he EnerGuide estimated fuel consumption ratings. y and emissions statistics for each vehicle sold by l, fuel efficiency ratings and CO2 ratings.

y and were the worst culprits in both the SUV and ll-size trucks. For a category that should be ruled the way. Finally, the use of CVT, or Continuously ll of the top runners scoring efficiency ratings that and Crossover fleet on the following page.

GMC Yukon Denali XL 3960L/YR

Mitsubishi RVR $1596/YR on Fuel

Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 24.4L/100 KM City, 16.1L/100 KM HWY

FEATURE FUEL CONSUMPTION MAKE/MODEL CLASS ENGINE TRANS L/100 KM CO2 Most Efficient Crossovers SIZE/CYL # GEARS $/YR L/YR CITY HWY KG/YR FORD ESCAPE HYBRID..............................................SP..........2.5/4............. V.........$1281.......1220.......... 5.8......... 6.5........ 2806 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 4X4......................................SP..........2.5/4............. V.........$1449.......1380.......... 6.6......... 7.3........ 3174 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD.......................SP..........3.5/6............. V.........$1449.......1380.......... 6.6......... 7.3........ 3174 MITSUBISHI RVR.........................................................SP..........2.0/4........... M5+.......$1596.......1520.......... 8.7......... 6.4........ 3496 MITSUBISHI RVR.........................................................SP..........2.0/4............ V+........$1596.......1520.......... 8.4......... 6.6........ 3496 Most Efficient Pickups TOYOTA TACOMA........................................................PU..........2.7/4........... M5+.......$1869.......1780........ 10.0......... 7.7........ 4094 FORD RANGER...........................................................PU..........2.3/4........... M5+.......$1890.......1800........ 10.0......... 7.7........ 4140 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HYBRID............................PU..........6.0/8............. V.........$1974.......1880........ 10.1......... 8.4........ 4324 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HYBRID 4WD...................PU..........6.0/8............. V.........$1974.......1880........ 10.2......... 8.5........ 4324 GMC SIERRA HYBRID.................................................PU..........6.0/8............. V.........$1974.......1880........ 10.1......... 8.4........ 4324 Least Efficient SUVs GMC YUKON XL DENALI AWD...................................SP..........6.2/8........... E6E...........N/A.......3960........ 23.5....... 15.3........ 6336 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV AWD...............................SP..........6.2/8........... E6E...........N/A.......3960........ 23.5....... 15.3........ 6336 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 4x4 FFV..................................SP..........5.4/8........... E6E...........N/A.......3880........ 22.5....... 15.7........ 6208 FORD EXPEDITION 4X4 FFV......................................SP..........5.4/8........... E6E...........N/A.......3880........ 22.5....... 15.7........ 6208 GMC YUKON DENALI AWD........................................SP..........6.2/8........... E6E...........N/A.......3580........ 21.2....... 13.8........ 5728 Least Efficient Pickups DODGE RAM 1500 FFV...............................................PU..........4.7/8........... E5+...........N/A.......4140........ 24.4....... 16.1........ 6624 DODGE RAM 1500 FFV 4X4........................................PU..........4.7/8........... E5+...........N/A.......4120........ 23.8....... 16.8........ 6592 DODGE DAKOTA FFV 4X4..........................................PU..........4.7/8........... E5+...........N/A.......4120........ 24.4....... 16.2........ 6592 GMC SIERRA 4WD......................................................PU..........6.2/8........... E6E...........N/A.......4060........ 24.3....... 15.3........ 6496 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4WD..................................PU..........6.2/8........... E6E...........N/A.......4060........ 24.3....... 15.3........ 6496

34 Trucks Plus

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WINTER CAN BE BEAUTIFUL.

But not as seductive as this.

30-100

Buy a set of four Yokohama winter tires between September 15th and December 1st, 2011, and we’ll write you a cheque for between $30 and $100, depending on the tires you want. It’s a beautiful thing. Ask us for details. Rim Size

13"

14"

15"

16"

17"

18"

19"+

$30

$40

$50

$60

$70

$80

$100

GEOLANDAR I/T G072

–

$40

W.drive

–

$40

iceGUARD iG20

Download your Claim Form and learn more about our winter tires at www.yokohama.ca. Claim Forms must be received by December 15, 2011.

NEW WHEELS

Boosted F-150 finally gets a proper engine Review and photos by Budd Stanley I can now understand why the F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in Canada, ever since the invention of the wheel, it seems. When the current generation of the F-150 was released back in 2009, I was impressed with the appointments that Ford offered in the full-size truck, and since then, it’s only gotten better with even more attention. Last year saw Ford offer its new SYNC system and a fantastic scrollable trip function program that sits in the centre of the gauge cluster. While both systems are very intuitive, I sometimes wonder if it’s just putting shiny wrapping and bows on basic on-board information that you get with most vehicles these days. However, I found that I was constantly monitoring several trip computer functions with fuel efficiency, mileage, timing and several other selectable functions at the ready via the simple steering wheel controls. Not to mention that the screen’s resolution for both systems is the best I’ve ever seen on anything other than a concept car.

However, as good as everything was with the new F-150, there was still one glaring downfall, and that was the archaic engine options that Ford customers were left to choose from. The 5.4L was all but useless and just seemed to drag the new design and technology down. Well, this year the F-150 got even more attention with the introduction of the much-hyped EcoBoost turbocharged V6 into the lineup. The EcoBoost is the same 3.5L twin turbo unit found in the Taurus SHO, and with its 365 hp and amazing 420 lb-ft of torque, it is perfectly suited to the F-150, and will likely be even more potent in the Explorer when it becomes available. While the EcoBoost provided me with just the right amount of power and torque I would need for anything from daily driving to heavy towing, I wondered just how eco was the EcoBoost. Ford has been quite adamant in its claims that the new engine not only provides the F-150 with the power it so deserves, but also is much kinder to the environment and your wallet. My test truck is the top-of-the-line F-150 Platinum edition, which means it comes loaded with everything Ford could possibly throw at it, and were likely even thinking how they could install a kitchen sink into the tailgate somehow. Automatic lowering running boards, full leather interior, four-wheel drive and a myriad of other luxuries made this quite easily the finest outfitted truck I’ve ever driven, albeit at a price of $60,500. As I mentioned, Ford nailed the power and response issue on the head with the EcoBoost, but once I started driving the big truck around town, the digital readouts I was receiving were not as mind-blowing as Ford had led me to believe. I n t h e c i t y, I a v e r a g e d

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NEW WHEELS 15.5L/100km, while I was only able to eek 14.0L/100km out of the F-150 on the highway. While that is much better than the outgoing engine lineup, it most definitely missed Ford’s mark of 10.5L/100km on the highway. Ford states 15 flat for the city, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox did a great job of keeping me admirably close, but for a vehicle that will likely see a lot of highway usage, I’d like to see better. However, it is worth mentioning that as my truck was a Platinum edition with loads of options and 4WD, highway mileage will be somewhat disrupted with the added weight and diminished aerodynamics. It also must be said that I managed to get 11.3L/100km in a GM 6.0L diesel-powered 2500 HD 4WD, so the new engine is a little more Boost, than EcoBoost. As this vehicle is a 4WD, I thought it would be interesting to see just how good the EcoBoost did off-road as well. My last adventure off-road in the Toyota 4Runner saw the economy gauge shoot to the maximum readout of 30.0L/100km as soon as the drivetrain was shifted into 4WD. On a jaunt into the local mountains, I found that the EcoBoost kept a steady 26.4L/100km once the front wheels were engaged, even if they clunked in a little looser than the Toyota’s. The EcoBoost engine is a $1,200 option in the lower models, $1,000 in the Platinum edition, and I would wonder why anyone would not opt for such a performance level at such a good price.

Well, it seems most Canadians are thinking the same way, as the vast majority of F-150s leaving the lots these days are equipped with the turbocharged V6. While I was hoping for a little better highway performance from the engine, I’m sure a less-equipped 2WD model will be a little more kind to the fuel usage. Regardless, the fact is, it is likely one of the best options available in the fullsize truck market today. And at that price, if we’re getting into an F-150 in the near future, there is no way it wouldn’t be equipped with EcoBoost.

NOV / DEC 2011

Trucks Plus 37

REVIEW ting, cumbersome, and in reality, poor performing. There is a solution. And it is a relatively economical one. Winfield Consumer Products is an American company that designs and manufactures automotive accessories for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans and passenger cars. The company’s most successful product is an innovative floor liner system it markets under the Husky Liners name, which has been designed as an alternative to traditional floor mat designs. Recently, I received a set of these units to outfit my personal vehicle, a 2009 Honda Ridgeline.

Product Test: Husky Liners - This innovative product offers protection that lasts a lifetime Story and photos by Russell Purcell

always find it surprising when you see someone who spends an enormous amount of time, effort, and money on keeping up the appearance of their vehicle’s exterior paint, trim and tires, but for whatever reason, they neglect cleaning the car’s interior. Sure, a quick wipe of the dash and interior panels with a spray protectant, the occasional window wash, and a pass through the cabin with a vacuum will suffice for most, but nothing makes spending time in a car less pleasant than smelly carpeting. I live in Vancouver, a city infamous for gray skies and more than its fair share of rainfall. As a result, Vancouverites track an awful lot of water, muck and debris into their cars and onto the floor mats and carpeting. This is a huge problem, as damp carpeting will eventually begin to smell as food and organic wastes deposit on the surface, get ground in by your shoes, and facilitate the growth of mould. The combination of moisture and the captured particles and stones promote carpet wear, and in some cases, the formation of rust on the surfaces below. Many consumers try to tackle this problem by purchasing rubber floor mats from the local big box store, but these generic offerings tend to be ill-fit38 Trucks Plus

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What makes Husky Liners so effective is the fact that they have been custom moulded to fit your vehicle. The liners are made from an engineering resin (rubberized thermo-plastic material) that the company has so much faith in, that it guarantees the liners against breaks, cracks or tears for the life of the motor vehicle in which they are installed. Husky Liners have been engineered to retain their shape, resist scuffs and stains, and hold up to daily wearand-tear. It is important to remove your factory mats prior to installing the Husky Liners in order to get a correct fit. The lightweight trays slipped easily into place in the footwell of my truck, and while there were a few small gaps along the outboard edge, I must admit that I was impressed with how close to perfect a fit they do provide. To protect the floor area in the rear passenger compartment, Winfield produces a long mat which extends to provide coverage for all three seating positions. It is constructed from the same material as those used in the front, but is a more traditional mat design due to the reduced contours of the rear foot wells. It features a raised edge to keep water from escaping and the fit was very precise. Regular automotive floor mats tend to move about as you shift your feet, so to help prevent the Husky Liners from shifting, the designers have incorporated an arsenal of small spikes to help the liner grip the interior carpet and stay in place. These “Sta-Put Nibs” are located on the backside of the liner trays and proved to be very effective. I have yet to feel any sensation of mat movement as I drive, and the only time I need to readjust the position of the liners is when I knock one out of place by moving a seat or mishandling cargo. It is also nice to feel confident that due to

REVIEW this clever engineering, it is virtually impossible for these units to interfere with the vehicle’s pedals. The top surface of each Husky Liner features a series of raised plateaus which enhance traction, but more importantly, keep your pant legs out of the water and mud contained in the tray. When excess water and debris has accumulated, you can simply vacuum the mess up with a Shop-Vac, or carefully lift the liner and pour the contents out. A quick wipe with a damp cloth or sponge will suffice to keep the liners looking clean and tidy. I have had the Husky Liners installed for almost three months, so I removed them prior to writing this review to check the condition of my carpeting. There was no evidence of water penetration and other than a few small stones near the accelerator, nothing had made it past my new layer of protection. They even managed to

contain a massive soda spill that was the result of a 44-ounce cup being jettisoned from the console cup-holder during a panic stop to avoid a wayward canine. Without the Husky Liners in place, the carpet on the passenger-side of my truck would have been heavily saturated and severely stained. As a result, I expect that these mats will prove priceless if you typically transport messy kids and pets in your vehicle. Husky Liners are currently available in your choice of three colours - black, grey or tan. The front units for my application retailed for US$89.95 plus shipping, as did the second row unit I required for the passenger compartment. Husky Liners can be ordered at a number of automotive accessory retailers nationwide, but you can also order them directly from Winfield through the company’s website: www.huskyliners.com.

NEW FOR MID SIZED TRUCKS! LIVE

OPTIONAL ALUMA PLANK FLOORING SHOWN

•

ANODIZED ALUMINUM - RUST FREE & LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

•

SEALED ROLLER BEARINGS

•

FORD RANGER

NISSAN FRONTIER

CHEVY COLORADO

1000 LB CAPACITY 105 LBS INSTALLED WT.

TOYOTA TACOMA

WORK

DODGE DAKOTA

40 Trucks Plus

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PLAY

FEATURE

What’s new in truck tires? By Howard J Elmer

ires – black and round; that much about them never seems to change, except for the occasional intrusion of various width white sidewalls every couple of decades. Still, for most drivers, tires are still an afterthought, often poorly maintained and taken for granted, and that in itself is funny because despite how proudly purchased and carefully maintained a truck is, its only connection to the road is those four small patches of rubber. However, the science and chemistry that go into those tires is always changing as are the designs. This is true of all tires, but with pickup trucks, the question of spec’ing the right tires can be even more complicated because of the weights they carry and surfaces that trucks work on. The one key change to tire design today is directly related to the use of computer imaging by engineers. This has led to much better tires, built to suit a variety of terrain. And remember, truck tires are all stamped “LT” which sets them apart from passenger car tires that are marked with a “P”. Looking at the most common truck tire - the all-season highway tire - computer imaging has reduced the cost of testing by simulating the long-term effects of heat generated on the highway which hardens the rubber. This results in the tires losing grip and becoming less effective in the rain. This is an issue that several manufacturers have worked on. For Bridgestone (as just one example) the answer was to use softer underlying layers of rubber that would retain their wet grip as the tire wore away. In essence, it uses the road heat to cure layers of stickier rubber to the right consistency as the tread wears away. The other benefit of computer imaging comes with virtual testing. The computer model can “see” how well a particular pattern displaces water. Then grooves, notches and sipes can be added or changed and the simulation run again – till the best combination is found. All-terrain tires for trucks are another popular choice as they mix the need for on- and off-road capability. All-terrain tires generally have a deeper, more open tread pattern than all-season tires for off-road grip; however, this increases their rolling resistance and according to government estimates, a tire’s rolling resistance accounts for about five percent of the fuel a vehicle consumes. Another aspect of all-terrain tires is the sidewall height and strength. These choices, again, tend to be more numerous than those in passenger car tires. Sidewall height affects ride quality and also weight carrying capability. Sidewall thickness (or number of plies) also affects these characteristics and together can be custom spec’d to suit your particular need. Of course, this statement begs the question – how? Well, just this summer, Cooper Tire, for instance, has created a site to do just that. “The sites enable consumers to directly connect with the Cooper brand and learn more about the new ultra high-performance and light truck/sport utility vehicle tires,” stated Hal Gardner, Vice President, Marketing Communications and Market Intelligence for Cooper Tire. 42 Trucks Plus

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The micro-sites offer a new web experience for the ultra high-performance and off-road enthusiasts, providing new product info and interactive content. Both sites include tire research, technology, design and engineering, performance development and testing videos, 360-degree design features and benefits, and the latest media reviews. So, while purchasing tires is the right time to do research into the right choice of rubber, the relationship with the manufacturer shouldn’t end there. The reason? We read about recalls every day in the media and if there is one down the road that affects you, the newspaper isn’t where you should learn about it. That means registering your tires is a smart thing to do. Michelin is just one company that now offers an on-line registration site that assures you of direct notification if there is ever an issue with your tires. As for looks, BF Goodrich has tapped into the truck owner’s psyche to come up with a rugged looking off-road tire that is smooth on the highway. This is just one example of the attention being paid to this vehicle segment. The Rugged Terrain T/A gets an aggressive look, with enough grip to easily get off the beaten path. However, with two large circumferential grooves, water is easily evacuated on the highway. Price-wise, it’s obvious to say that these offerings cover a wide range. However, the wear rating of each is usually a good indicator of value. Each tire today is rated to last X-number of kilometres (though these are not government backed – just company estimates) and by looking at these and the price, you can quickly come up with a rough guide to value. If you are looking at the value end of the market, consider some of the many new Chinese brands (such as Westlake or Good Ride) that are now being offered across the country.

FEATURE

Gift Idea’s For the Truck Lover

Mechanix Wear M-Pact ® Work Gloves

Picking gifts for gearheads is a tough challenge, let us help you out Story by Budd Stanley

C Lightstorm Work Light

hristmas is right around the corner, and we’re sure that you might be having trouble trying to decipher the enigma that is the gearhead. Well, hopefully we can help, and hopefully he has strategically left this magazine out in the open, and just happened to leave it open to this page for your ease. Ideally, every gearhead wants parts or tools for Christmas, but these are highly specialized items, and unless you know the actual part number of the certain piece you gearhead is looking for, I’d stay away from that strategy. However, there are a great many things that not only make a gearhead’s life easier, but also make great gift ideas. Here is our list of safe gifts that a gearhead will not only appreciate, but will also find useful. M-pact ® Work Gloves – Mechanix Wear – www.mechanixwear.ca Anything that helps your gearhead work on their vehicle is a big plus. One of the most affordable yet useful gifts you could give is a good set of quality work gloves. The M-Pact ® Glove, from Mechanix Wear, offers full coverage hand protection with a new rubberized grip on the thumb, index finger and palm, with anatomically-engineered molded rubber covering knuckles and fingertips. PORON® XRD palm pads absorb more shock and vibration. Tapered finger stretch side panels and a Spandex stretch panel at the thumb offer a great fit, while the wrap-around rubber molded wrist closure gives additional protection. Machine Washable. Retail price $34.99

Leatherman Sidekick Multitool

Work Light – Lightstorm – www.sears.com The Lightstorm Reflex Cordless LED Work Light is perfect for any work area, roadside, power outage emergency, campsite and more. This 12V, 50-LED Flex Trouble Light has 50 bright-white LED bulbs providing focused light output. The light head flexes 25-degrees forward and backward for directed illumination. It has a convenient magnetic stand-up base and handle, as well as two hanging hooks supporting it vertically or horizontally. The light is portable with its long-lasting nickel-metal hydride batteries that can be recharged 500+ times. Retail priced at $39.99. Sidekick Multitool - Leatherman - www.leatherman.com While we said that tools are likely a bad idea, the one exception where you really can’t go wrong is a good Leatherman multitool. The latest edition to the company’s long list of tools is the Sidekick, with exterior-accessible blades that mean you can open the knife with just one hand, and rounded handles that make getting a grip around their all-new, spring-action jaws easy and very comfortable. Stainless steel and backed by a 25-year warranty, the Sidekick retails for $40.00

Daystar Can Cam Water and Fuel Containers

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Can Cam Water and Fuel Containers – Daystar - www.daystarweb.com Can Cam locking system is a convenient and safe way to transport up to five gallons of fuel and/or water. It mounts in the centre of Jeep and Toyota spare tires, or with universal mounts, can be stored in garages, trucks, trailers, and UTVs. Ideal for winter; throw some sand in, and use them for added rear weight and traction on slippery roads. Retail priced at $TBA

FEATURE Diecast Model – Diecast Depot - www.diecastdepot. ca 780.452.6006 Does your gearhead keep rambling on about that classic truck that he just doesn’t own? For the guy who’s always dreaming of owning something dear to his heart, but just can’t find a way to own the real deal, a diecast model is almost as good. Diecast models are amazing things, offering every detail the original product features, only in a 1/34th, 1/24th and 1/18th scale. Put one of these under the tree, and you can be sure the smile on your gearhead’s face will be nearly as big as if you put the real thing in the driveway. Retail priced starting at $21.00 Trail Can Utility Box – Rampage Products www.rampageproducts.com Rampage has created a cool product here in its Trail Can Utility Box. If your gearhead likes to take a lot of tools and equipment along with them in the truck, this handy utility box will come in handy. Getting its design from a Gerry fuel can, Rampage has filled the kit with all sorts of handy features such as a lift-out tool tray, two removable drawers, screwdriver storage slots and non-slip liners. The whole unit is lockable, and even more importantly, will fit into any fivegallon Gerry can mount, saving the gearhead from fumbling around behind his seat when he needs to find a flashlight or tool. Retail priced at $115.95

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Laptop Mount – Dee Zee - www.deezee.com You might find that your truck gearhead isn’t completely a gearhead, but spends a great amount of time working in their truck. Many in the contracting or development fields live in their trucks day in, day out, and as a result, do all their work there. For those who need to work on a laptop in the field, nothing is more frustrating than constantly trying to balance the computer and coffee in a workable position. Dee Zee has the perfect cure with its laptop mount, which allows drivers to work and drive and not worry whether their computer is going to fly across the cab. Retail price starts at $271.95.

FEATURE Portable Compressor – Extreme Outback - www.extremeoutback.com Does your gearhead like to go off-roading? Do they like to go way out into the wilderness where cell reception is all but a laughable theory, or maybe they just like to go on only long-haul trips where finding civilization is minimal. An excellent gift to the adventurous gearhead is this emergency kit on steroids, the ExtremeAire Magnum Portable Compressor. This useful tool box comes equipped with its own onboard air compressor with 30-feet of hose, heavy duty quick disconnects with several fittings in stainless steel, an LED flashlight, pressure gauge and 10-foot jumper cables, all in a 34-pound tool box. Retail priced at $689.95.

Extreme Outback Portable Compressor

Ram Runner – Mopar - www.mopar.ca Finally, if your gearhead loves a large off-road project, and money’s not so much of an issue, you really can’t get any better than our final two gifts. If your gearhead is a Mopar fan, there are two companies that make putting a smile on your gearhead’s face easier than anyone else. We start with the Mopar Ram Runner kit. This kit turns your gearhead’s Dodge Ram into a fearsome off-road desert racer, while keeping him out of the house for long periods of time as he tediously assembles his giant bolt-together toy of greatness. The Ram Runner kit is made up of seven separate kits and will transform any modern Ram 1500 into a desert warrior. Grand total for all seven kits is $20,013. Brute – AEV – www.aev-conversions.com The second of these great projects doesn’t come from the Chrysler company itself, but from another well known for Jeep aftermarket products, when they saw a very large hole in Jeep’s lineup that was not filled. The AEV Brute Jeep pickup conversion now fills that void, available in kit form. It includes an all-new hardtop with increased headroom and two small skylights, plus a redesigned stamped steel bed that offers much more storage space then the standard SUV. The kit comes over 90 percent assembled, with an average build time of around 60 hours. Additionally, the kit can be purchased in various stages to meet specific needs or budget. This year at SEMA, AEV unveiled a four-door version but it will likely not make it to market before Christmas. Retail for the twodoor kit is $8,995 USD.

Mopar Ram Runner

AEV Brute

48 Trucks Plus

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RV-ING

DUTCHMAN KOMFORT 3530FBH By Howard J Elmer

hen you build a fifth wheel that is aimed at the middle price range in the market, finding a way to make your product “pop” is important. The Komfort by Dutchman is one of those and they have spent considerable time putting the snap and pop into this new layout. The bunkhouse unit I tested featured a high roof line, lots of radius corners, a curved bathroom door, a real sunken bathtub and a unique dinette and couch setup that stretched the length of the full-wall slideout in the salon. All these features plus a bunkhouse for kids, grandkids and unruly relations. Frankly, whoever you have stay over will be accommodated in this unit that will sleep a platoon. Now, the Komfort line also has floorplans that suit just two full-timing snowbirds as well, but regardless of how many inmates there are, the design cues are the same – nice. This first-impression comes directly from the new and unusual design elements inside. Outside though, it took a few minutes to realize that the very straight roofline was a function of a dropped chassis (called stacked rail construction) storage area as opposed to a low interior ceiling height. This model is the largest of the nine Komfort floorplans at a length of 40 feet, yet there is no humpback look on this trailer, just a nice gentle receding curve to the roof. Even so, I found the headroom in the front bedroom to be over 6’8”. The bull-nosed front cap on this trailer is another feature that just shows well; in addition to deflecting air, it provides space (inside) for a cedar-lined walk-in closet. This area resembles a barrel in its design, enclosed by sliding doors (mirrored) that make the bedroom look even bigger. There are also outlets in this closet for a washer/dryer that can be added later or as an option. The other advantage that this drop-frame creates is found in the basement storage, which, because it has a lower floor, is sizable at over 150 cubic feet. This under-storage uses gas-charged lifters on the doors while inside, there are lights, neat clean walls with a power outlet and cable outlet. 50 Trucks Plus

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The central vac also has an outlet in there. The day I tested this unit, heat was on my mind. As the July sun blazed, my shirt stuck to my back as I had a close look inside at the HVAC system, starting with the overhead fan in the salon. Thankfully, once I got this running, things started to cool off a bit in there. The AC unit is roof-mounted and pushes air through six diffusers spread through the trailer – which I never got to turn on as I had no access to shore-power. However, in the front bedroom I noted that the vent is a single half-moon opening at ceiling height; maybe it was because I was sweating so much, but to me it just doesn’t look up to the job. The kitchen is the centrepiece of Komfort, however the floorplan flows nicely right into the entertainment area, where a flatscreen TV is housed over a Dimplex electric fireplace that includes an electric heater with remote. This feature is at the rear of the trailer, next to the hard surface door leading to the bunkhouse room – right across from the ample seating area. This design herds the kids into a single high-traffic area with the TV at its centre. Good idea. Of note is that the ample bunks in the back will hold up to 300 pounds, so feel free to have the American cousins over. Just inside this room there is also a half-bath with its own outside door and an inside one that is also curved, which keeps the foot traffic through the main salon to a minimum. If you want the kids to stay in their own area entirely, then put another TV back there (all the plug-ins are already prewired). They also have built-in storage and clothes cupboards in there. To feed a crowd like this, the kitchen is well-equipped with an angled, small double sink with pull-out faucet that is set into a radiused hardsurface counter top. The stove is a standard three-burner setup, while the Norcold fridge/freezer saves a few bucks by not putting a cover or wood panels on it. Strangely, there was no oven (there is a 21-inch optional one available), but there was a microwave above the simple vent hood. Hardware found on all the cupboards and cabinetry is the “European” style self-closing hinges, which are nice and not cheap. On the other hand, where I see the Komfort saving money is on lighting. The lights are almost all of the 12V plastic bubble type throughout. I recall just one “fixture” in the whole unit. So, wherever you choose to feed your crowd, you’ll appreciate a second option that Komfort offers - an outdoor kitchen just by the rear entry door to the kid’s room. This outdoor kitchen has a sink, and a pull-out two-burner stove. There is also a spot to hook up a TV alongside a 110V plug. Obviously, this is a unit that will be going to games, races etc with the kids – or a bunch of adults - and having

RV-ING that TV outside to keep track of the replays and highlights is also important. This kitchen is equipped with a second small fridge, which is not only convenient but also adds overall capacity and makes up for the smaller interior one. Though this is an outside cooking area, the fixtures are still nicely covered in a dark wood décor with pewter handles. All this is behind a large hard-surfaced flip-up door that will effectively keep the sun and/or rain off your head. On the 38C degree day of my test, insulation was the last thing on my mind (though, yes, I know it helps the AC run cooler too); however, Komfort offers an “Endless Komfort Package” that should carry this unit through all four seasons. The package includes a heated and enclosed underbelly, radiant foil in the roof, floor, and behind the front cap, and slide-out floors. As for R-values, you get R40 in the roof, floor and behind the front cap, R24 in the slide-out floors and R9 in the walls. As this package seals up the trailer tight, the attic is vented to remove moisture-laden air. A feature which is being seen more and more in the industry is the multi-function remote. Used outside for setup, it duplicates the interior controls (which Komfort puts in one centrally located command panel) but lets the owner do everything from outside. The key advantage? You can see where the slides are going, where the awning is extending to, and whether the trailer is level – all from one location with a remote in hand. In total, this remote controls the stabilizer jacks, landing gear, power awning, outside patio light and the slide-outs. Towing this trailer was my 2011 Chevy HD 2500 test truck with the Duramax turbo-diesel and the Reese Elite fifth wheel hitch. Driving through the southwestern Ontario countryside, the truck felt evenly matched to the trailer; in a word, it was working. However, it never felt overmatched. Steering was precise and it settled its weight comfortably on the hitch. Credit here must be given to the quality of the pivoting Elite 24K hitch but also to the well-constructed forward reaching kingpin on the trailer. Another advantage of this forward design is the ability to turn up to 90 degrees easily, with no fear of cab contact (even in my 6’5” cargo bed). It also never feels like the weight wants to “drop off” the hitch in an extreme turn. Now, on the side roads (including gravel) the smoothness of the ride is in part the legacy of the hitch, but the Trail-Air Equa-Flex equalizer suspension on the trailer reduces road vibration and lets the axles move independently. Over the course of my drive, I noted that the computer in the truck pegged my fuel mileage at 22.4L/100 km. I never used tow-haul mode, because it didn’t feel like it needed it; however, I did use the Chevy’s new engine brake which kept my foot off the truck brakes most of the time. Overall, an excellent match for the Allison transmission and 6.6L Duramax diesel.

SPECIFICATIONS Dutchmen Komfort 3530FBH Length: ................................................................................. 40’ Height: . ............................................................ (with A/C) 12’7” Dry Weight: ................................................................ 11,640 lb GVWR: . ..................................................................... 15,400 lb Fresh Water: ................................................................... 67 gal Gray Water: . ................................................................... 96 gal Black Water: . .................................................................. 96 gal Furnace: . ...............................................................34,000 BTU Base MSRP:............................................................ $49,583.00 Plus Price of options: Komfort Platinum Exterior Package – FW:................ $3,263.00 Includes: fibreglass exterior, laminated side and rear walls, 16” load range “E” tires, aluminum wheels, Equa-Flex suspension, easy lube axles, “Eye Sight” Hitch-Vision Fibreglass front cap, expanded turning radius, LED loading lights, stacked rail chassis construction, sewer hose storage, slam latches on outside doors, central convenience center, 6’4” entry door with “Welcome Back” light, LP quick disconnect, rear ladder, tinted safety glass windows, pivoting entry handle, front and rear stab jacks, electric patio awning, exterior 110V and cable connections, 50amp detachable power cord. Komfort Platinum Interior Package – FW:.................. $3,263.00 Includes: premium flooring, halogen ceiling lighting, crowned roof, wood window blinds in living area, wrought-iron window treatments with curtains, maple cabinetry with hidden hinges, upgraded contemporary styled furniture, air mattress Hide-a-Bed, solid surface kitchen counter tops, stainless steel sink with pull out sprayer, “Cedar Suite” walk-in closet, washer/dryer prep, designer wallboard in slide rooms, cove molding at ceiling, chair rail in living area, wireless remote control system which operates landing gear/rear stabilizers/patio awning/main slide-out/outside light. Also, upgraded 8 cu.ft. refrigerator and 10-gallon water heater. Fireplace – Main Living Area:....................................... $718.00 Total Price, as tested:............................................... $56,827.00

Test unit supplied courtesy of Can-Am RV Centre, London, Ontario 52 Trucks Plus

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PROJECT

Project Budget Hauler – Comforts and Luxury By Tim Baillie

ne of the purposes of Project Budget Hauler was to have all of the creature comforts and luxury of a new modern truck, but at a discounted price. When we bought Budget Hauler, the interior had the typical California sun damage and had seen better days, and we knew that it was something that was going to be replaced, so spending more on a ‘95-’98 GM Truck wasn’t worth the extra money when the ‘88-’94s are way cheaper and the only real difference other than some exterior trim was the interior. There are hundreds of thousands of the ‘95-’98 GM trucks on the road, which also means there are plenty of them in junk yards and auto recyclers around the country. We went down to our local truck auto recycler and picked up the complete dash, door panels and all the trim along with the front buckets and rear bench seat for a mere few hundred dollars. The parts were dirty and worn and the cloth on the seat had seen better days, but since we had a new leather kit from Roadwire to install on the seats and a case of Color Bond vinyl dye from LMC Truck, all we needed to do was put some elbow grease into the parts and we would have a brand new interior. The stock carpet was in decent shape and no one out there makes a replacement that fits like the OEM, so once we had it removed, we took our pressure washer and some Simple Green to it and had it come out looking like new in only a few minutes (and a few days of drying time). We took each individual piece of our new interior and old interior and

attacked them with the same Simple Green/Rinse process till everything was squeaky clean. Once everything had dried, we started to apply light coats of the new vinyl colour “Saddlestone” from Color Bond which we got from the folks at LMC Truck. This Sandstone color matched perfectly with the leather kit we got from Roadwire, as well as the new headliner/visors that we also got from LMC Truck. The new seats were stripped down completely and each piece was cleaned before installing the new Roadwire leather kit. The new leather covers for the arm rests simply go over the old cloth, but the actual seats had to be taken completely apart, and we had to remove the old cloth and install the new leather covers with new hog rings and clips. With all of the covers installed, all that was left was to dye the small hard parts on the seats to match everything else. With the cab stripped and cleaned out (is there anything better then Simple Green for this?), we started laying down the Hushmat sound deadening material on all of the bare surfaces of the cab including the insides of the doors and roof. With the cab sound-deadened, we started running the stereo wiring from Wirez for our new Clarion stereo system. Once all of the wiring was held in place with thin strips of Hushmat, we reinstalled the carpet kit and started the daunting task of installing all of the OEM interior panels. We installed the Clarion 4 Channel and Mono Block on the back wall of the cab along with the Wirez stiffening capacitor. We then installed the Bassworx 10-inch subwoofer box and Clarion 10-inch subwoofer. With the back half of the cab done, we had to move on to the dash. Now, the dash bolts into the cab, but things like the gauges, HVAC controls and everything else is different, so we

1. Stock 1992 C3500 Interior

2. Stripped and sound deadened

3. The seats from the '97 C3500 Interior ready to have the Roadwire leather kit installed

4. All the Clarion stereo equipment to be installed.

5. Clarion components installed in Hushmated doors.

6. Completely sound deadened with Hushmat.

54 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

PROJECT began the tedious task of soldering all of the new connectors onto the old harnesses and making the changes needed to make all of the new components work with old truck. With the dash installed, we had to do the same process with the door panels and the window/lock switches in them. While the doors were apart, we sound-deadened the inner and outer skins of the door with Hushmat, as well as installed the Clarion 6.5-inch components in the stock locations of the doors (the stock location of the old interior was on top of the dash). We also upgraded the boring plastic interior handles with nice chrome ones from LMC Truck as well as replacing all of the old worn-out switches and clips which also came from LMC Truck. The rubbers and seals on the truck were all worn and sun-damaged and made the cab whistle pretty well when driving down the highway, so we replaced all of the cab and door seals with new ones, also from LMC Truck. We wanted the truck to be very user friendly, so we replaced all of the OEM domelight housings with replacement LED fixtures from Maxxima. We then replaced all of the halogen bulbs in the truck with LED replacements from EVO (CIPA USA) for the maximum output and low voltage consumption. Once we had everything installed and fitted in the cab, we began to fabricate our custom centre console. The stock radio in this dash is located up top, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only a DIN-and-a-half opening, so instead of modifying the opening, we got some empty pockets from LMC Truck for the stock radio, CD player and passenger side air bag spots to give us more storage in the truck. The new Clarion Double Din DVD/Navigation radio would now reside in the centre console where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to access. We welded up a Â˝-inch square tube frame to the console so that we would have places for the radio, power ports, cup holders etc. Once we got the frame laid out, we started building the panels; we wanted the switch panel, power ports and cup holders easy to get to and easy to use without taking our eyes off the road, so we placed those low and centre of the console. We installed a couple of power ports,

but we also installed a couple of USB power ports as well so we had some flexibility. We installed lighted switches for the various exterior lighting options we are adding to the truck, and finally our nice billet cup holders. In front of the stereo, we built a shallow compartment to hold things like cell phones, etc, so we also installed a couple of power ports in there for chargers. We then built a large storage compartment at the rear of the console for larger things. Underneath the console we wired in a 1,500 -watt inverter and built a locked storage compartment for storage of expensive items like cameras when we are at shows. Once we built the console, we created a one-piece top for the whole console out of Âź-inch ABS and dyed it with Color Bond paint from LMC Truck. Finally, we built sides and wrapped them in OEM tan carpet. The final touches we put on the interior were the new rearview mirror from CIPA USA which included an outside temperature display, dome lights and a built-in compass. We also hard-wired the radar system with the mirror wiring and then installed a new ABS headliner and visors from LMC Truck, and finished it all up with front and rear heavy-duty molded floor mats from Husky Liner. Protecting everything is a two-way Alarm/Remote Start from Clifford.

SOURCES CIPA www.cipausa.com Clarion www.calrion.com/ca

Hushmat www.hushmat.com

Roadwire Leather www.roadwire.com

Husky Liner Wirez www.huskyliners.com www.gotwirez.com

Clifford www.clifford.com

LMC Truck www.lmctruck.com

EVO (CIPA USA) www.cipausa.com

Maxxima LED Lights www.maxxima.com

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Trucks Plus 55

PROJECT

7. The replacement window seals and rubbers from LMC Truck.

8. New seals from LMC Truck installed.

9. Dying of interior parts with Color Bond from LMC Truck.

10. Clarion tweeters installed on new switch panels from LMC Truck.

11. One of many new switches from LMC Truck.

12. One completed door with new lights from Maxxima and chrome handles from LMC Truck.

13. New Maxxima underdash LED Lights.

14. New Maxxima underdash lights installed

15. Clarion amps and Wirez Stiffening Capacitor installed on the back wall of the cab.

16. The Clarion 10-inch subwoofer installed in the Bassworx Subwoofer enclosure.

17. The frame work for the centre console.

18. The double DIN mount welded into the console for the Clarion Double DIN DVD/Navigation radio.

56 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

19. Checking fitment of all of the trim panels for the console.

20. The console is ready for paint and texture coating.

22. The finished interior with billet cupholders, power ports and switch panel.

21. This is the CIPA rearview mirror with compass dome lights and temp gauge.

23. Finished doors and dash with components from LMC Truck, Clarion and Maxxima.

NOV / DEC 2011

Trucks Plus 57

GEARING UP Jotto-Cargo Slide for MidSized Trucks Jotto-Cargo Slide now has one of its patented slides made especially for Mid-Sized Trucks. It is able to support up to 1000 pounds of cargo, while still allowing it to slide out easily for anybody due to the AlumaTrack slide system. This system allows the slide to feel lightweight while remaining strong enough to withhold your cargo. The slides are constructed from extruded aircraft-grade aluminum, are made to last, look great and will not rust. This product also won a Global Media Award at the 2010 SEMA show. For more information please go to www.jottocargoslide.com

Go Rhino 4-inch Oval Hitch Step

Go Rhino Products is introducing a new 4-inch Oval Hitch Step that will offer easy access to a truck bed, SUV and roof rack. The 24-inch length step is compatible with 2-inch receivers, comes with an antirattle device and can be installed easily in minutes. The step bar is made from a high-grade aluminum alloy and comes available in a black powder coat with a five-year warranty, or a polished stainless steel with a limited lifetime warranty. For more information please go to www.gorhino.com 58 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

GEARING UP Cargo Saddlebag from Rightline Gear Rightline Gear now offers a way to increase the amount of cargo you can carry in your car, SUV, or CUV with the Cargo Saddlebag. It attaches to the back of the vehicle with straps attached to the bumper or hitch and provides up to 14 cubic feet of extra storage room, with a maximum load of about 100lbs. It is made of 600D Hyrdotuff material and includes handles on either side of the bag so it can be easily lifted on or off your vehicle. For more information please go to www.rightlinegear.com

CST Performance Suspension Pro-Joints

CSC Performance Suspension is introducing its race-quality ball joints, made for lifted truck and light race vehicle applications. The CST Pro-Joints durable design is ideal for dual-shock UCA applications. The joints are made from high-strength materials, have an extreme pivot angle capability and feature a sealed design. The CST Pro-Joints have a heat-treated pin, and high misalignment housing and top plate. They have a replaceable Delrin wear bushing with tension spring. For more information please go to www.cstsuspension.com

NOV / DEC 2011

Trucks Plus 59

GEARING UP Comfort Ride Leveling Kit for 2005-2011 Ford SuperDuty from Daystar Daystar now offers a variety of combo kits that will not only lift or level your truck, but will also greatly improve the comfort of your ride. Available now for 2005-2011 Ford SuperDuty’s, the kits include the regular leveling kits but now also come with the new Scorpion Shock Absorbers in one package. Also available are a number of combinations of suspension kits, shocks and body lifts all designed to lift your vehicle while still maintaining the factory ride quality. For more information please go to www.daystarweb.com

Dodge Ram Coil-To-Air Conversion System by Firestone A new product designed to convert the Dodge Ram 1500’s coil spring suspension into a full air suspension has been introduced my Firestone Industrial Products. It is designed to deliver a higher levelling capacity as well as to improve ride quality. The Rear Coil-to-Air Conversion system is a no-drill kit designed to allow easier loading and trailer attachments due to the system’s capability for a six-inch kneel at the hitch, by letting the air from the springs, controlled by an in-cab switch. For more information please go to www.ride-rite.com

60 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

Dayco Canada Corp 7810 Keele Street, Unit C, Concord, ON L4K 0B7 4EL s 4OLL &REE &AX s WWW DAYCO CA

Presented by:

We’re sure that most of you have had the misfortune of getting stuck while out on a weekend adventure. So send us your photos of your adventure to stucktrucks@rpmcanada.ca and if we use your photos we’ll send you a cool Trucks Plus hat!

Did they honestly think that it wouldn’t be that deep?

This truck is in a bit of a crappy situation.

Guess this is what happens when it’s a slow day at the fire hall.

Surely there are some gentlemen nearby willing to help these ladies out.

Xtreme 4x4 Cam Kits Meet The Challenge

62 Trucks Plus

NOV / DEC 2011

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