I somewhat disagree, I think that a properly sized and engineered electric fan and shroud can be more than adequate on a vehicle.
My VW Jetta has only electric fans, and never overheats even with the AC on in traffic.
Look at this,
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/diesel-fans.html Flexalite offers electric fans and shroud assemblies to replace the engine driven fans in diesel pickups.
I expect that most of the people who buy the fans will tow something, as that's why most people buy diesel trucks.
I don't think Flex-A-Lite would sell a product that will disappoint customers and cause vehicles to overheat.
So, perhaps the old thinking is that electric fans don't perform, but today they do.
I plan to use one or two Spal electric fans on my 48 Chevy 2 ton with a diesel engine. And from what I have seen and heard from other people using only electric fans I don't expect to have any issues with them. I have two friends with diesel pickups that run electric fans only, and they have no problems even with a load.
Grigg
