Actual Contractor using Lightning Pro for real work (video)

[Oneand0]

I just wanted to give a shout out to a contractor (site member @KurtsRPMGarage) who uses his Lightning pro as a work truck. You can see it’s used a lot, in his video. In this video Kurtis documents the mileage to and from a work job.

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[KurtsRPMGarage]

Thanks for the shoutout. This is my video. Technically I’m not a contractor. I’m a geologist that works in the construction industry. I drive all over central and Southern California for projects. Lightnings been a total champ so far.

 

[khatch]

Thanks for the shoutout. This is my video. Technically I’m not a contractor. I’m a geologist that works in the construction industry. I drive all over central and Southern California for projects. Lightnings been a total champ so far.

Apparently you didn't get the memo. The Lightning can't do "truck things".

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

Apparently you didn't get the memo. The Lightning can't do "truck things".

Let the uninformed think whatever they want. More lightnings for us.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Nice report, was your water tank empty on the return trip?

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

Nice report, was your water tank empty on the return trip?

Basically yes. There may have been a couple gallons still in there as the drain valve is placed just above the bottom of the tank.

 

[dippinMike]

Thanks for the shoutout. This is my video. Technically I’m not a contractor. I’m a geologist that works in the construction industry. I drive all over central and Southern California for projects. Lightnings been a total champ so far.

nice video, I commented on it but since you are here i’ll ask here. my question was:
“nice! i’m taking a big bear trip in a couple weeks, where would you recommend charging at? I was planning on charging on the way up there before I hit the mountains… also what steering wheel is that? does it still have the button functions?”
i’m in Torrance, CA

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

nice video, I commented on it but since you are here i’ll ask here. my question was:
“nice! i’m taking a big bear trip in a couple weeks, where would you recommend charging at? I was planning on charging on the way up there before I hit the mountains… also what steering wheel is that? does it still have the button functions?”
i’m in Torrance, CA

Check out plug share. There are a couple 50kw chargers in town. For reference from Anaheim to the bottom of the mountain I used about 22%. From the bottom of the mountain to the top up the 330 hwy I used another maybe 30%. On the way back it’s more or less all down hill so you don’t need a ton of charge to make it all the way back. Took me about 20% battery to make it back. Can’t comment on how any of the chargers work though. My dads got a cabin in BB and I just plug into a 110v outlet when I’m up there for the weekend. This summer I’ll be taking my boat up there. I’m thinking I’ll do a big charge at the bottom of the hill and that should be enough to make it to the top. The way back should be easy.

The steering wheel is a sew on cover I got from Amazon. Took a lot of work but it looks pretty decent. I did make a few mistakes though. I already ordered an oem leather wrapped wheel that I’ll probably swap on in the next week or two.

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

Forgot to mention. That day I went to big bear was a Friday afternoon. There was tons of traffic on the 91. If the freeway is relatively clear you can probably expect to use a bit more energy than I did.

 

[CRAIGC540]

Thanks for the shoutout. This is my video. Technically I’m not a contractor. I’m a geologist that works in the construction industry. I drive all over central and Southern California for projects. Lightnings been a total champ so far.

Great video.. You drove right by me in Moreno Valley, the mileage you did is similar to when I go to San Diego and pick up my daughter for shopping and dinner. It's 90 miles one way then around town for no more than 20 miles then drop here off at school, I get back home with 10 to 20 miles left without a charge up or back and leaving home at 100 SOC. This is why I bought the short range, my longest monthly trips are no more than 90 miles away. Well that and the 10 grand more for extended battery. I've also been up to big Bear and seeing the regin giving back energy is awesome.
Thanks for the video..

 

[GunRack]

I saw the Pasadena CA Fire Dept. is using Pro's for support vehicles now. Painted red, all stickered up, lights, racks and equipment in the back. Looked pretty good. Nice to see some real world use for these things.

Mine mostly makes trips to Home Depot and hauls to the dump.

 

[MurphysLaww]

I saw the Pasadena CA Fire Dept. is using Pro's for support vehicles now. Painted red, all stickered up, lights, racks and equipment in the back. Looked pretty good. Nice to see some real world use for these things.

Mine mostly makes trips to Home Depot and hauls to the dump.

Well, I really wanna be a fan-boy, but our Lariat ER, looks like it's on it's way back to the dealership for it's second time in it's first 2 months, Power basically went down to limp mode, and had to stop, turn it off, and back on to get it going again, on our second trip to Home Depot in a day...

While annoying, for the people behind me turning left, from the light, it definitely could have been dangerous, based on the setting.

First one, it had 10 2x6x12 boards and some other stuff, but not much of a load. I wanted to take a pic of it doing truck stuff, for the nay-sayers, but... sigh.

Price you pay for being an early adopter.

 

[GunRack]

Well, I really wanna be a fan-boy, but our Lariat ER, looks like it's on it's way back to the dealership for it's second time in it's first 2 months, Power basically went down to limp mode, and had to stop, turn it off, and back on to get it going again, on our second trip to Home Depot in a day...

First one, it had 10 2x6x12 boards and some other stuff, but not much of a load. I wanted to take a pic of it doing truck stuff, for the nay-sayers, but... sigh.

Price you pay for being an early adopter.

Sounds like you had some bad luck with your build. That really sucks, hope they figure it out. Not my experience. I have 11k miles on it and haven't had a single issue. I had 1,400 lbs of tile in it the other day and couldn't even tell driving to the job site. I do wish I had the bed scales though. Wasn't an option for my XLT. Hoping I can retro fit those someday but I'm maxing out the bed rating regularly.

Not really a Lightning specific issue, but my plastic tailgate top is getting all chewed up hauling lumber. You can see below. The plastic edge is getting some deep gouges that are catching when sliding material on and off the bed now. I was seeing the same problem with my Rivian. I had hoped it wouldn't be an issue for the Ford but it still is. The plastic is just too soft all around the top of the bed.

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

Great video.. You drove right by me in Moreno Valley, the mileage you did is similar to when I go to San Diego and pick up my daughter for shopping and dinner. It's 90 miles one way then around town for no more than 20 miles then drop here off at school, I get back home with 10 to 20 miles left without a charge up or back and leaving home at 100 SOC. This is why I bought the short range, my longest monthly trips are no more than 90 miles away. Well that and the 10 grand more for extended battery. I've also been up to big Bear and seeing the regin giving back energy is awesome.
Thanks for the video..

Right there with you. Would have loved the extended range but the numbers just didn’t work for me. I actually just got back from a project in San diego about an hour ago. Was 199 miles round trip and I got back with 9% remaining (14 miles). Not too shabby. I do trips further than 200 miles but they are relatively rare. Maybe twice a year. I’ll happily hit up a charger when that happens and just think about the money I saved.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I actually just got back from a project in San diego about an hour ago. Was 199 miles round trip and I got back with 9% remaining (14 miles). Not too shabby. I do trips further than 200 miles but they are relatively rare.

That's great on an SR battery!!

Couple weeks ago here is what I was showing on an ER battery at 9%, cold day of driving in Southern New England.

Performance for that day just before hitting the DCFC to make it home another 100 miles