It looks like SLATE has pathetic EV efficiency. (and a rant).

[Cats]

In addition, the time to charge to 80% or 100% is absolute BS.

I think the slate will say to 80 because NMC battery

 

[AZFox]

Or take the tailgate off and run a net instead.

It doesn't work the way you'd expect.

AI query:

Does lowering (opening) the tailgate of a pickup truck improve its coefficient of drag?​

Response:

Lowering the tailgate of a pickup truck generally increases the drag coefficient and reduces fuel efficiency. Studies and expert opinions consistently indicate that keeping the tailgate up improves aerodynamics by creating a "separated bubble" or "locked vortex flow" that helps reduce drag compared to having the tailgate down.​

 

[AZFox]

If you want to compare two EVs a miles per kWh is the right number to have.

Better yet: KWh per mile.

For some reason it's inverted in the USA. I think the rest of the world does it in Units Per Mile, which makes a lot more sense.

 

[dcgray2]

It doesn't work the way you'd expect.

AI query:

Does lowering (opening) the tailgate of a pickup truck improve its coefficient of drag?​

Response:

Lowering the tailgate of a pickup truck generally increases the drag coefficient and reduces fuel efficiency. Studies and expert opinions consistently indicate that keeping the tailgate up improves aerodynamics by creating a "separated bubble" or "locked vortex flow" that helps reduce drag compared to having the tailgate down.​

Nice to know! Thank you!

 

[metroshot]

It doesn't work the way you'd expect.

AI query:

Does lowering (opening) the tailgate of a pickup truck improve its coefficient of drag?​

Response:

Lowering the tailgate of a pickup truck generally increases the drag coefficient and reduces fuel efficiency. Studies and expert opinions consistently indicate that keeping the tailgate up improves aerodynamics by creating a "separated bubble" or "locked vortex flow" that helps reduce drag compared to having the tailgate down.​

Yah, they did those tests when the Ford Lightning EV truck came out.

They also found that adding a bed topper decreases range even though it may appear aerodynamic - the weight of the topper outweighed the aerodynamics.

The only thing that does help improve range is lowering the truck to sedan type height which negates the purpose of having a truck.

I still don't understand why people would buy a truck with normal height and lower it - why defeat the purpose of a truck (haul and tow). Maybe people are so vain ?

 

[AZFox]

They also found that adding a bed topper decreases range even though it may appear aerodynamic - the weight of the topper outweighed the aerodynamics.

I think you're referring to what's known as a "camper shell" in my neck of the woods -- as opposed to a bed cover / tonneau.

If so, it begs a question:
How does a tonneau cover affect aerodynamics?

 

[AZFox]

The only thing that does help improve range is lowering the truck to sedan type height which negates the purpose of having a truck.

I still don't understand why people would buy a truck with normal height and lower it - why defeat the purpose of a truck (haul and tow). Maybe people are so vain ?

Having owned an S-10 that was lowered, I can answer that.

TL;DR: Lowering a truck slightly doesn't negate the purpose completely, or even much at all. Even bed of an El Camino or Ranchero is still pretty useful.

I owned a 1989 S-10 that that had already been tastefully lowered before I bought it. That truck was one of the most complement-attracting vehicles I've owned, but the main reason for that was probably because I had it made into a convertible.

Like most city-dwelling pickup owners, I rarely hauled heavy loads unless I was hauling some heavy personal belongings during a move. Mostly I just used the bed for things like bicycles and various and sundry items from the Big Box Home Improvement Store.

Consider the Chevy El Camino and a Ford Ranchero. They're cars with beds, not trucks, but still purposeful.

Other than that, as far as the pros and cons of lowering go, there's a thread for that.

 

[cvollers]

Having owned an S-10 that was lowered, I can answer that.

TL;DR: Lowering a truck slightly doesn't negate the purpose completely, or even much at all. Even bed of an El Camino or Ranchero is still pretty useful.

I owned a 1989 S-10 that that had already been tastefully lowered before I bought it. That truck was one of the most complement-attracting vehicles I've owned, but the main reason for that was probably because I had it made into a convertible.

Like most city-dwelling pickup owners, I rarely hauled heavy loads unless I was hauling some heavy personal belongings during a move. Mostly I just used the bed for things like bicycles and various and sundry items from the Big Box Home Improvement Store.

Consider the Chevy El Camino and a Ford Ranchero. They're cars with beds, not trucks, but still purposeful.

Other than that, as far as the pros and cons of lowering go, there's a thread for that.

All unibody “trucks” are cars with beds. Ridgeline, Maverick, Santa Cruz. Even the R1T. I had a buddy in high school with an El Camino…man, that thing was fun. And not unibody.

 

[AZFox]

All unibody “trucks” are cars with beds. Ridgeline, Maverick, Santa Cruz. Even the R1T. I had a buddy in high school with an El Camino…man, that thing was fun.

There's a name for cars with beds (unibody or not): "Coupe Utility Vehicle"

The SUV Kits are CUV-to-SUV conversion kits.

 

[cvollers]

There's a name for cars with beds (unibody or not): "Coupe Utility Vehicle"

The SUV Kits are CUV-to-SUV conversion kits.

This definition of what a truck is is interesting. Does it have to be body on frame to be a truck? Does it need to have a solid rear axle to be a truck? Does it need a pickup bed to be a truck? My FJ has two of the three and I still don't call it a truck. Its a SUV...and definitely not a "car". The Slate has two of the three and to me seems more like a truck. Being able to convert it into a SUV is absolutely brilliant.

 

[AZFox]

This definition of what a truck is is interesting.

Defining what constitutes "truckness" may be above my pay grade.

Does it have to be body on frame to be a truck?

Not to me it doesn't, but it helps.​

Does it need to have a solid rear axle to be a truck?

Definitely not. If so, the Slate Truck isn't a truck.​

Does it need a pickup bed to be a truck?

Flatbeds and box trucks are trucks, so no.​

Is an 80's K-5 Blazer a truck? It could be argued either way.​

 

[AZFox]

All unibody “trucks” are cars with beds.

There's a name for cars with beds (unibody or not): "Coupe Utility Vehicle"

On second thought I suppose "unibody" has multiple meanings. I'm not sure what @cvollers has in mind. Behold the 1961 Ford F-100 Unibody Pickup:

View attachment 38143
^^ Looks like a truck to me.

AI Query:

If a motor vehicle is "unibody" what does that mean?​

Response:

A "unibody" vehicle means that the body and frame are constructed as a single piece, providing a more rigid structure that supports the vehicle's weight and holds the suspension and wheels. This design typically results in lighter vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and safer in collisions due to integrated crumple zones.​

AI Query:

What is a "coupe utility vehicle"?​

Response:

A coupé utility vehicle, often called a "ute," is a type of vehicle that combines a passenger compartment at the front with an integrated cargo tray at the rear. This design originated in Australia in the 1930s and is distinct from traditional pickup trucks, as the cargo area is part of the vehicle's overall body structure.​

These vehicles typically feature a closed passenger cabin and an open cargo area, making them versatile for various uses. Over the years, several manufacturers have produced coupe utilities, including the Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero in the United States. [...]​

 

[GaRailroader]

On second thought I suppose "unibody" has multiple meanings. I'm not sure what @cvollers has in mind. Behold the 1961 Ford F-100 Unibody Pickup:

View attachment 38143
^^ Looks like a truck to me.

AI Query:

If a motor vehicle is "unibody" what does that mean?​

Response:

A "unibody" vehicle means that the body and frame are constructed as a single piece, providing a more rigid structure that supports the vehicle's weight and holds the suspension and wheels. This design typically results in lighter vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and safer in collisions due to integrated crumple zones.​

AI Query:

What is a "coupe utility vehicle"?​

Response:

A coupé utility vehicle, often called a "ute," is a type of vehicle that combines a passenger compartment at the front with an integrated cargo tray at the rear. This design originated in Australia in the 1930s and is distinct from traditional pickup trucks, as the cargo area is part of the vehicle's overall body structure.​

These vehicles typically feature a closed passenger cabin and an open cargo area, making them versatile for various uses. Over the years, several manufacturers have produced coupe utilities, including the Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero in the United States. [...]​

Note that the bed is integrated to the cab. In a frame truck the bed is attached to the frame and then there is about an inch gap between the bed and the cab which is also attached to the frame.

PJ

 

[Saint Alban]

Having owned an S-10 that was lowered, I can answer that.

TL;DR: Lowering a truck slightly doesn't negate the purpose completely, or even much at all. Even bed of an El Camino or Ranchero is still pretty useful.

I owned a 1989 S-10 that that had already been tastefully lowered before I bought it. That truck was one of the most complement-attracting vehicles I've owned, but the main reason for that was probably because I had it made into a convertible.

Like most city-dwelling pickup owners, I rarely hauled heavy loads unless I was hauling some heavy personal belongings during a move. Mostly I just used the bed for things like bicycles and various and sundry items from the Big Box Home Improvement Store.

Consider the Chevy El Camino and a Ford Ranchero. They're cars with beds, not trucks, but still purposeful.

Other than that, as far as the pros and cons of lowering go, there's a thread for that.

Same 😁

 

[cvollers]

Defining what constitutes "truckness" may be above my pay grade.

Does it have to be body on frame to be a truck?

Not to me it doesn't, but it helps.​

Does it need to have a solid rear axle to be a truck?

Definitely not. If so, the Slate Truck isn't a truck.​

Does it need a pickup bed to be a truck?

Flatbeds and box trucks are trucks, so no.​

Is an 80's K-5 Blazer a truck? It could be argued either way.​

The De Dion in the Slate is a solid rear axle. But not a live rear axle in the sense that it drives the wheels.