plug hybrid truck?

xiphias

Have been googling around to little avail. Interested in someday having a plug hybrid truck (or SUV) capable of towing 5000-10,000 pounds. Towing is intermittent, short-distance (<20 miles), and highly seasonal. Mostly vehicle will do short non-towing commute that can utilize electric. Annual overproduction of GT PV system should cover 4000-5000 mi/yr, which is about the total annual mileage.

Where should I be looking for this in U.S.? Manufacturers? After-market or guerrilla retrofit? If the latter, which vehicles are good candidates?

Thanks.

solar_dave

Re: plug hybrid truck?

There are several people offering plug in S-10 pickups kits. Range is like 50 miles, I suspect towing that would be reduced by half. Your 5ton load is pretty high.

Blackcherry04

Re: plug hybrid truck?

I'v gone to a couple of those S10 websites because I was interested in how they were charging their batteries. It looks like they haul around a 1000 lb of batteries and have big time longevity issues. Most place's will not honor their warranties for their batteries any longer. Homemade may not be the way to go.

Cariboocoot

Re: plug hybrid truck?

GM makes (or made) hybrid trucks: http://trucks.about.com/od/2007chevytrucks/a/09_silverado.htm

Not an endorsement or recommendation. Heck, I drive a 18-year-old gas-sucking monster 3/4 ton van so what do I know?

That towing capacity is pretty high, though. I'd want a one ton to move that much weight - even briefly.

xiphias

Re: plug hybrid truck?

Thanks. Saw some S10 stuff and reached similar conclusion.

OK, cap the tow load at 7500. Plug hybrid. Other options?

mike95490

Re: plug hybrid truck?

xiphias wrote: »

Thanks. Saw some S10 stuff and reached similar conclusion.

OK, cap the tow load at 7500. Plug hybrid. Other options?

The plug-in hybrids have a very short battery only range. Towing will reduce that significantly.