V6 vs. V8 to Pull The Z

nabenson · 10-23-2012, 10:59 PM

I tow with a 2006 Frontier with the 4.0 and an automatic. I haven't had any trouble. It gets terrible mileage but can handle 5500lbs without any trouble.

sig11 · 10-24-2012, 12:12 PM

If you want an enclosed trailer definitely go V8. I have a 2011 2500HD with the 6L v8 and wish I had a diesel. ~8mpg with my 24' trailer and ~15 without.

It pulls the ~10,000lb trailer just fine but the gas is a killer. One of the guys has a Ford with the turbo 6 and loves it... gets 15-20 mpg towing his open trailer.

ChrisSlicks · 10-24-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

If you want an enclosed trailer definitely go V8. I have a 2011 2500HD with the 6L v8 and wish I had a diesel. ~8mpg with my 24' trailer and ~15 without.

It pulls the ~10,000lb trailer just fine but the gas is a killer. One of the guys has a Ford with the turbo 6 and loves it... gets 15-20 mpg towing his open trailer.

I have the same truck and essentially the same 24' trailer and get 10-11 mpg. The diesel does a lot better obviously.

sig11 · 10-24-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I have the same truck and essentially the same 24' trailer and get 10-11 mpg. The diesel does a lot better obviously.

Wow. What kinda speeds? I would probably be better on gas if I didn't tow at 70-75mph... With 70mph speed limits I feel like I'm getting run over.

MightyBobo · 11-02-2012, 01:30 AM

I have a 2008 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L. Wish I had the 6.0L (or, newer 6.2L) but I never imagined I'd be towing a flatbed in the future when I bought it. The 5.3L has gotten my car, all supplies, and a UHaul trailer (VERY heavy flatbed) around ok...hills can be irritating though.

ChrisSlicks · 11-02-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

Wow. What kinda speeds? I would probably be better on gas if I didn't tow at 70-75mph... With 70mph speed limits I feel like I'm getting run over.

I try to keep it close to 65, but will do 70 on the flats. I had a trailer tire blow out at 75 mph from what appeared to be tread separation (overheated) and it sounded like someone had dropped a bomb under my truck. Took a while to unweave the separated tread that was wrapped around the axle.

I get the biggest improvement by not trying to steam up the hills too hard. Build momentum before the hill, let some of the speed fall away slowly as you climb and use as much throttle as possible that doesn't kick down a gear until you need it. Using this technique I climb most hills in 5th, and only have to use 4th near the top of the really steep ones. If it needs 4th then I back off a bit and cruise up at around 60.

The savings on a 500 mile tow is about $40. That buys a lot of beer.

MightyBobo · 11-02-2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I try to keep it close to 65, but will do 70 on the flats. I had a trailer tire blow out at 75 mph from what appeared to be tread separation (overheated) and it sounded like someone had dropped a bomb under my truck. Took a while to unweave the separated tread that was wrapped around the axle.

I get the biggest improvement by not trying to steam up the hills too hard. Build momentum before the hill, let some of the speed fall away slowly as you climb and use as much throttle as possible that doesn't kick down a gear until you need it. Using this technique I climb most hills in 5th, and only have to use 4th near the top of the really steep ones. If it needs 4th then I back off a bit and cruise up at around 60.

The savings on a 500 mile tow is about $40. That buys a lot of beer.

TROOF. I do the same - accelerate down the hills leading toward an uphill, and feather it as long as possible on the uphill.

bigaudiofanat · 11-02-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Haha yes, rape vans we call it

I use to drive one everyday as our work van! Now we have a ford transit connect!

cossie1600 · 11-02-2012, 11:30 AM

So we wont be seeing you on America's Most Wanted!

ChrisSlicks · 11-02-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

I use to drive one everyday as our work van! Now we have a ford transit connect!

Economical rape van.

cossie1600 · 11-02-2012, 11:53 AM

This type for the molestation

This one for the raping and bank robbery

spearfish25 · 11-03-2012, 05:17 PM

Overkill is your friend in a tow vehicle. I used to have a Dodge Ram 2500 Sport with Cummins diesel for towing a 6000lb boat back and forth from Florida to Chicago. The truck had something around 12,000lb towing capacity. The 'going' was never an issue and we'd routinely cruise rock steady around 75-80mph despite the massive aerodynamic drag of the boat. However, stopping could often get hairy. The trailer had pressure activated brakes (not electric) and they worked for $hit. I recall a couple instances of ditching into the emergency lane when traffic stopped abruptly.

My suggestion would be to get as capable a vehicle as possible if you're looking at long distances or highway speeds. It could save your life. If you're just moving around town, then you can get by with significantly less in the tow vehicle. Just remember the limitations and err far on the side of safety. Just like in a track car, the braking ability is far more important than the power. And those maximum tow ratings are not where you want to be living with your setup...you'll be struggling if you're near your vehicle's max towing capacity.

Mike · 11-03-2012, 05:56 PM

But, you are probably towing once a month at most, and driving the truck around all the other days too. Maybe a v6 with a stoptech upgrade and take it easy while hauling

cossie1600 · 11-03-2012, 06:28 PM

I am with Mike. I ended up with a V6 CUV with no towing capacity, I figure it is cheaper to rent a truck or borrow a rape van for the occasional run to school, I meant track

Instant panties liquidifier

Or you can spend a little more and get one of these for like $6000.

sixpax · 11-04-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

I am with Mike. I ended up with a V6 CUV with no towing capacity, I figure it is cheaper to rent a truck or borrow a rape van for the occasional run to school, I meant track

Or you can spend a little more and get one of these for like $6000.

I am leaning toward this option.

11-02-2012, 01:30 AM	#20 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	I have a 2008 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L. Wish I had the 6.0L (or, newer 6.2L) but I never imagined I'd be towing a flatbed in the future when I bought it. The 5.3L has gotten my car, all supplies, and a UHaul trailer (VERY heavy flatbed) around ok...hills can be irritating though. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

11-02-2012, 11:53 AM	#26 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	This type for the molestation This one for the raping and bank robbery sig11 likes this.

11-03-2012, 05:17 PM	#27 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Overkill is your friend in a tow vehicle. I used to have a Dodge Ram 2500 Sport with Cummins diesel for towing a 6000lb boat back and forth from Florida to Chicago. The truck had something around 12,000lb towing capacity. The 'going' was never an issue and we'd routinely cruise rock steady around 75-80mph despite the massive aerodynamic drag of the boat. However, stopping could often get hairy. The trailer had pressure activated brakes (not electric) and they worked for $hit. I recall a couple instances of ditching into the emergency lane when traffic stopped abruptly. My suggestion would be to get as capable a vehicle as possible if you're looking at long distances or highway speeds. It could save your life. If you're just moving around town, then you can get by with significantly less in the tow vehicle. Just remember the limitations and err far on the side of safety. Just like in a track car, the braking ability is far more important than the power. And those maximum tow ratings are not where you want to be living with your setup...you'll be struggling if you're near your vehicle's max towing capacity. sixpax likes this. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

11-03-2012, 05:56 PM	#28 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	But, you are probably towing once a month at most, and driving the truck around all the other days too. Maybe a v6 with a stoptech upgrade and take it easy while hauling sixpax likes this. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

11-03-2012, 06:28 PM	#29 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I am with Mike. I ended up with a V6 CUV with no towing capacity, I figure it is cheaper to rent a truck or borrow a rape van for the occasional run to school, I meant track Instant panties liquidifier Or you can spend a little more and get one of these for like $6000. sixpax likes this. Last edited by cossie1600; 11-03-2012 at 06:32 PM.

10-23-2012, 10:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
nabenson Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 103 Drives: 10 370z Nismo PW M6 Rep Power: 15	I tow with a 2006 Frontier with the 4.0 and an automatic. I haven't had any trouble. It gets terrible mileage but can handle 5500lbs without any trouble.

10-24-2012, 12:12 PM	#17 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	If you want an enclosed trailer definitely go V8. I have a 2011 2500HD with the 6L v8 and wish I had a diesel. ~8mpg with my 24' trailer and ~15 without. It pulls the ~10,000lb trailer just fine but the gas is a killer. One of the guys has a Ford with the turbo 6 and loves it... gets 15-20 mpg towing his open trailer.

11-02-2012, 11:30 AM	#24 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	So we wont be seeing you on America's Most Wanted!

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