Newbie looking at purchase and vehicles

OG, the back up system can be programed for several trailers of varying lengths.  You just go through the programming steps for each and each gets its own sticker on the tongue.  I never paid attention to the back up system when we made the decision to buy the truck.  I just asked for the towing package option thinking about the receiver, brake controller, heavy duty transmission cooler [it has a temp gauge for the tranny], and the bargeman plug.  The rest of the purchase was a matter of negotiating the price for a truck that fit our towing needs.  

I could be mistaken, and usually am, but I think the F-150 hybrid is on sale now.  I saw the EPA mileage number for it and I'm getting right almost the same mileage with my current truck.  The generator would be nice, though.  Sure beats lugging one around in the back of the truck.  I don't want to think about the price tag.

+1 to Glue Guy regarding a replacement in a few years.

With the new auto trannys with 6 to 10 speeds it really doesn’t matter so much what the final drive ratio is. The system will pick the right overall gear ratio. Back in the days of 3 and 4 speed transmissions it was a lot more important.

I’m not actually considering buying a hybrid f150, I prefer SUVs anyway. Just seems like an interesting vehicle so when one shows up at the local Ford shop I might run over and check it out. As for fuel economy, hybrids provide the most benefit in stop and go traffic. Highway driving is as we all know governed by air drag so the hybrid drive is not going to make a huge difference.

The difference between having a power inverter on a conventional ICE and having one on a hybrid is a big one. On a hybrid the inverter can operate from the battery pack allowing the ICE to cycle on an off as needed, reducing noise, fuel use, and wear and tear. On the conventional drivetrain the engine has to run continuously.

For example if I leave my Prius on with it’s a/c (which is electric not belt driven) running the engine cycles on and off but the a/c continues to run. I’ve used that feature often to keep my dogs from overheating while parked at a store or restaurant. Much better than having to leave your engine idle for long periods, at least for me.

The article I read on the Ford Pro Power inverter is that it does run from the high voltage hybrid battery pack and will allow the ICE to cycle off at output levels below 2.4kw.(there are 120V 2.4kw and a 240V 7.2 kw versions). For loads above that the engine stays on. But 2.4kw ought to be fine for an RPod, although you might still need an Easystart on the a/c to keep its startup load low enough that the ICE doesn’t startup every time the a/c compressor starts. One of the things it would be interesting to find out.

Another is just how noisy is the engine operating cycle in the F150 hybrid. In a Prius you barely notice the engine starting and operating (the big electric motor kicks it on instantly, there is no conventional starter and ring gear engagement noise) so if the F150 Hybrid is similarly quiet so could avoid annoying your camping neighbors and running afoul of campground quiet hour rules. Apparently the F150 hybrid still has a starter motor which is on a belt drive, which seems weird and unnecessary considering there is a 35kw motor in there but might be fine. Some of this kind of stuff you just have to see and hear for yourself.