**Serious Threat to our Future Tow Vehicles ** Must Read
 

This is bad news for those of us that depend on our tow vehicles:

March 7, 2002 - "Millions of boaters and anglers who depend upon pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans to tow their vessels to the nation's waterways may end up with their boats high and dry if the current version of an energy bill now in the U.S. Senate is approved..."

Read More:
http://www.boatus.com/news/releases.asp

:mad: :( :rolleyes: :confused:

I heard about this last night on the news. Not only would this effect boaters, it will also effect people who need trucks for work, such as construction, lawn care, etc.

I understand the goal, but this could really hurt alot of people financially. Trucks and SUVs' cost would increase due to the new regulations.

Bad idea by Congress. They need to think how this will effect the "every" day working man.

Another bollsh*t law that will never pass...

That's what was thought in the first phase of CAFE...

This is total BS. The main reason the damn SUV is so popular today is the CAFE standards.

Towing aside, who the hell wants to drive a tin can?

There is such a thing as unintended consequences and they are huge if this goes through.

Simply government trying to legislate our behavior.

This is pure liberal BS...Try taking a guess how much cost this will add to a vehicle...The greenies have been after the SUV space for a while now and it looks like it is paying off.

You watch...boats are next...try powering that 30 footer with a highly fuel efficient four banger...

*stepping down from soap box*

Tell me about it, Mlite!

Imagine how Super Duty my truck will be if the efficiency will have to be increased almost threefold? :mad: :mad: :mad:

Looks like I better extend the warranty on my Yukon XL...

Seriously, this is total feel good BS...

Increasing CAFE standards will result in more highway fatalities. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), small vehicles account for about twice as many fatalities as larger vehicles. In order for Detroit to increase fuel economy further, they must decrease the weight of vehicles. A study by Dr. John Graham, Director of the Harvard University Injury Control Center, found that a 40% increase for CAFE standards would cause an additional 1650 deaths and 8500 serious injuries every year.

Higher fuel economy will kill jobs American families depend on. The proposed CAFE standards will hit the "the big three" where it enjoys its most competitive advantage over the Japanese auto industry -- the light truck category, which includes pick-ups, mini-vans, and 4-wheel drive recreational vehicles. American light trucks have steadily increased to over 40% of all new vehicle sales during the past ten years. The National Academy of Science (NAS) has estimated that a 40% increase in the standard would tack on an additional $2,750 to the sticker price, making them less competitive and reducing sales by between three and eight percent. The independent study says that job loss will parallel the crash in industry sales. And if that isn't discouraging enough, data shows that Americans are already holding off longer on purchasing new vehicles. According to the Automotive Consulting Group, 11+ year-old vehicles still on the road increased from 24 million to over 50 million between 1980 and 1990.

Higher CAFE standards will harm the environment. When the costs of fuel-efficient technology are added up, many consumers are priced out of the new car market. This forces motorists to stay in older, less environmentally-friendly older cars for a longer period of time. It has been estimated that 90% of vehicle-emitted "greenhouse gases" are produced by 10% of the vehicles on the road -- high polluting older cars and trucks.
Contrary to claims by environmental groups like the Sierra Club, which proposes a 60% increase in CAFE standards, greater fuel economy will not lead to cleaner air. In fact, the reverse appears to be true: According to the National Academy of Sciences report, "[CAFE] improvements will not directly affect vehicle emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx because the emissions standards (in grams per mile) are identical for every passenger car or truck, as appropriate, regardless of fuel." In other words, the amount of pollutants emitted from automobiles is based on miles driven -- not miles per gallon. By reducing the costs of driving, higher CAFE standards may even encourage people to drive -- and therefore pollute -- more.

Higher CAFE standards fail a cost-benefit analysis test because they would provide plenty of costs -- the loss of lives, jobs and environmental quality -- but few benefits. To approve these new standards would be to place a higher value on gasoline than the livelihoods -- and even the lives of the American people.


by Bob Adams - Bob Adams is Project Director for Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for The National Center for Public Policy Research.

That's exactly right!
Thanks for the additional info! Good stuff...
:cool:

So...............
 

What's the problem? Doens't everyone have Excursions here? They're over 10,000 pounds. If not, we sould call Ford fleet services and order everyone on OSO a new Excursion and get a great discount.

If that were the case, no prob!

But my F-250 has a GVWR of 8800#
I guess if they add weight back in, like solid steel car-crushing bumpers, heavier guage sheet metal, and trade-in some of the plastic for metal, I'd be okay. 10000# baby, Here we come! Great Idea!:cool: :)