Towing: 4Runner vs Pathfinder and V6 vs V8

[NinjaPyrate]

I'll be towing a 2,000 lb 6x10 cargo trailer across the US to festivals - probably 15-20k miles a year and am considering a 4runner or Pathfinder but can't seem to make up my mind. On hauls, the SUV would mostly be empty accept for 2 people and a mattress, and it would be our only vehicle otherwise. With fuel efficiency, reliability, and towing ability as the main factors, does anyone have advice? I'm also not sure about V6 vs V8 as the trailer weight will only be 2000 lbs so I'm not sure if the less fuel efficient V8 of either vehicle is worth it. Also, I'm trying to find a vehicle with less than 60k miles for less than $15k, and I have no need for 4WD.

More info: I towed this same trailer approximately 25k miles last year with a friend's Dodge Sprinter 2500 that had a 3rd person and additional 1000 lbs of cargo in it, and it struggled badly over any highway passes, as well as those gradual inclines that last forever like Wyoming, which is why I'm getting my own light hauler.

 

[MikeInNH]

The 4th generation 4runner and any Pathfinder up to their change over to a Crossover last year are about the same. Both are very capable of towing 2000lbs (or much more). You don't need the V8. The V6 is more then capable. I've owned a 98 Pathfinder and now a 05 4runner. And I tow a 3000lb camper with no problem what-so-ever with either of those vehicles.

Since you'll be buying something used...get the one in the best shape for the money. Have it inspected before you buy. Look at it's maintenance records. Good Luck.

 

[xxaarraa]

As Mike said above. The V8 is a better performer, but very lacklusture and not worth the extra $$ and extra maintenance $$ in my book. The V6 will do you just fine.

Oh, get a T4R and not a datsun! :biggrin2:

 

[nevada]

v8 4runner all the way.

 

[NJshadow93]

I would get the V8 since you're buying it specifically for towing; regardless of weight of what you're towing. The V8 is better equipped to tow, period. It has more torque, especially on the low end, and has a factory equipped transmission cooler. If I was buying a 4Runner to tow, a V8 would be a no brainer for me. Especially since there really isn't a difference in price to buy used (near me anyway) between either engine. Only difference is the V8 needs a timing belt around 100k which could cost anywhere from $700-$1200 depending where you take it. Not a big deal IMO and worth it to get the better equipped truck.

 

[MikeInNH]

I would get the V8 since you're buying it specifically for towing; regardless of weight of what you're towing. The V8 is better equipped to tow, period. It has more torque, especially on the low end, and has a factory equipped transmission cooler.

V8 in this situation is overkill. My V6 has the factory equipped external transmission cooler. It comes with the towing package. During the summer I tow a LOT. Almost every weekend from May thru Aug. The V6 has MORE then enough power to tow my 3000lb trailer and family. Can the V8 do a better job? - Maybe. It has more torque..but so what...it's torque I won't be needing. Now if I towed a 5000lb trailer...then I'd probably say yes to the V8.

My 4runner now has more then 260k miles. If it had a problem towing 3000lbs I would have seen it by now.

 

[NJshadow93]

V8 in this situation is overkill. My V6 has the factory equipped external transmission cooler. It comes with the towing package. During the summer I tow a LOT. Almost every weekend from May thru Aug. The V6 has MORE then enough power to tow my 3000lb trailer and family. Can the V8 do a better job? - Maybe. It has more torque..but so what...it's torque I won't be needing. Now if I towed a 5000lb trailer...then I'd probably say yes to the V8.

My 4runner now has more then 260k miles. If it had a problem towing 3000lbs I would have seen it by now.

That's fair, but wouldn't the V8 arguably experience less strain/wear on the engine than the V6 towing the same weight due to the advantage of more torque? That's why I say regardless of weight of the object being towed. While the V6 should handle the job just fine, I would also say the V8 would arguably handle it better, especially when long stretches of inclines/hills are thrown into the mix. If I were in this situation, I would get the V8 (assuming they are just as common on the used car market as the V6, which is the case in my area).

 

[Martinjmpr]

Since you won't be going off road and don't need 4wd, I'd seriously consider the R51 Pathfinder. Bigger and has a more powerful V6 than the 4runner.

I seriously considered an R51 Pathy (that's the 2005-2012 model) but ultimately decided against it because (a) I live in the snow belt and wanted multi-mode 4wd and (b) I go off road and the Pathy's IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) makes it more $$ to lift and offers less articulation.

But for a road-bound vehicle, the Pathy's more powerful V6 and longer wheelbase would be a good thing, especially when towing.

Incidentally, all R51 Pathfinders had the tow package, not all 4runners do. My '07 did not, I had to add an aftermarket hitch.

 

[T4R2014]

One is built in Japan and one is built in the states. If I'm going to deal with the so-so reliability of the R51 Pathy then it better be the 08+ with the 5.6 V8 from the Titan.

 

[xxaarraa]

Oh boy, here we go again. This shouldn't turn into a V6 versus V8 thread, but let's get this clear: The 4.7 V8, while marginally better than the V6, is an outdated, underpowered interference engine that was killed off for a reason. 270hp / 320 ft-lbs is sleep-inducingly mediocre. Yawn. AND the V8s are known to have a common exhaust manifold cracking issue (pricey fix), timing belt (pricey fix), generally get 1-1.5 MPG less than the V6 - hands down more expensive to maintain than the V6 for all the reasons above.

You can't go wrong with either OP, but if the right truck you find turns out to be a V6, I woulnd't even think twice and just pull the trigger.

 

[T4R2014]

LOL. Mediocre? Compare it to the competition of its era. I see head gasket issues pop up on the 1GR once in a while as well. The UZ engines are far from underpowered.

 

[nevada]

Oh boy, here we go again. This shouldn't turn into a V6 versus V8 thread, but let's get this clear: The 4.7 V8, while marginally better than the V6, is an outdated, underpowered interference engine that was killed off for a reason. 270hp / 320 ft-lbs is sleep-inducingly mediocre. Yawn. AND the V8s are known to have a common exhaust manifold cracking issue (pricey fix), timing belt (pricey fix), generally get 1-1.5 MPG less than the V6 - hands down more expensive to maintain than the V6 for all the reasons above.

You can't go wrong with either OP, but if the right truck you find turns out to be a V6, I woulnd't even think twice and just pull the trigger.

if the v8 is boring, what does the make the v6?
i don't know why you say its underpowered, that much power from that small of an engine is pretty damn good. and its got the torque on the bottom, where its needed to get the heavy load up to speed, and keep it there.


lets be realistic here, hes buying it TO TOW. there should be no question as to which engine he should choose. all towing, the v8 will likely get BETTER fuel economy than the v6. and it wont have to work nearly as hard on the hills, or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[MikeInNH]

That's fair, but wouldn't the V8 arguably experience less strain/wear on the engine than the V6 towing the same weight due to the advantage of more torque?

Not necessarily. As long as the weight of the trailer is well in the limits of the V6 then the stress differences would be minimal. Now if the trailers weight was toward the very high-end of the V6's limit then sure the V8 would probably be less stressed. But as I said...my V6 with over 260k miles is still running strong. Doesn't burn any oil..and I expect to get another 100k miles out of it. So - OBVIOUSLY it's not a problem.

My 98 Pathfinder with the 3.3l V6 also towed the same trailer for the 4 years I owned it. Again I towed with it every weekend from May thru Aug. Gave that to my daughter when she went to college when it had over 300k miles on it. She sold it to her ex-boyfriend a couple years ago...Last I knew it was approaching 500k miles. Again...engine was still running just fine. So if there ever was any added stress it wasn't effecting the engines that much.

 

[JB.]

This shouldn't turn into a V6 versus V8 thread, but......

Strange way of trying to prevent that.

 

[MikeInNH]

One is built in Japan and one is built in the states. If I'm going to deal with the so-so reliability of the R51 Pathy then it better be the 08+ with the 5.6 V8 from the Titan.

My 98 Pathfinder - last I knew was approaching 500k miles...And it was still running GREAT. The Nissan V6 is considered one of the most reliable V6's ever built by ANY manufacturer.

Too bad they completely screwed up the design when they went to a Crossover SUV this last go-round. Especially with the CVT transmission.

 

[NJshadow93]

Not necessarily. As long as the weight of the trailer is well in the limits of the V6 then the stress differences would be minimal. Now if the trailers weight was toward the very high-end of the V6's limit then sure the V8 would probably be less stressed. But as I said...my V6 with over 260k miles is still running strong. Doesn't burn any oil..and I expect to get another 100k miles out of it. So - OBVIOUSLY it's not a problem.

My 98 Pathfinder with the 3.3l V6 also towed the same trailer for the 4 years I owned it. Again I towed with it every weekend from May thru Aug. Gave that to my daughter when she went to college when it had over 300k miles on it. She sold it to her ex-boyfriend a couple years ago...Last I knew it was approaching 500k miles. Again...engine was still running just fine. So if there ever was any added stress it wasn't effecting the engines that much.

I can definitely appreciate your experience with towing compared to my lack of experience with towing. I'm just thinking on the basis of numbers. No doubt in my mind that either engine is more than capable of the task, I'm just basically going by numbers, and the V8 numbers have a larger tolerance than the V6 ones. But again, both engines are great and should perform to expectations.

I'm not going to sit here and mindlessly bash the other engine to justify a regret I'm probably having in engine choice when buying, like another individual in this thread.

 

[drewm]

Oh boy, here we go again. This shouldn't turn into a V6 versus V8 thread, but let's get this clear: The 4.7 V8, while marginally better than the V6, is an outdated, underpowered interference engine that was killed off for a reason. 270hp / 320 ft-lbs is sleep-inducingly mediocre. Yawn. AND the V8s are known to have a common exhaust manifold cracking issue (pricey fix), timing belt (pricey fix), generally get 1-1.5 MPG less than the V6 - hands down more expensive to maintain than the V6 for all the reasons above.

You can't go wrong with either OP, but if the right truck you find turns out to be a V6, I woulnd't even think twice and just pull the trigger.

I take it you've never driven the V8. Having 80% of peak torque available at 1200 rpm is nothing near mediocre. Nobody drives at redline all day long, it's power available under the curve that gives the feeling of a strong engine.

Also the v8 is deathly quiet. I actually have to listen very closely to hear any noise from the engine. Unless you get on it, it never shifts above 2k and has an insane amount of torque down low.

You should find that 5th gen thread about "what people miss most about the 4th gen" and you'll find that the v8 is by far the most common answer with many people saying they'd nearly go back to a 4th gen because of it.

Also the head gasket blowing is becoming an very common issue on the V6 (as it has been on nearly every single Toyota V6 ever made), and it's a $2-3k ordeal when it does.

There are many first gen Tundra owners with the same V8 over 500k miles, and the engine also has a solid track record in the 100 series Land Cruiser with it being known as one of most reliable cars of all time by many reports.

All the above reasons are why I purchased the V8 even though my car will most likely never tow.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

id also consider the fact that certain years had 3.91 rear ends, which can help with towing. i personally have the v6 and have never felt as if it didn't have enough power, and i tow fairly often, in excess of 3500lbs. While a v8 is certainly a good option for towing, i wouldn't stay away from all v6's, especially if you're towing a load that isn't that heavy. if you're in love with a 4runner and it has a v6, don't discount it.

edit: in normal driving, i can get all the way to 65mph without going over 2k rpm, so the v8 isn't the only motor that has torque on the low end

 

[T4R2014]

My 98 Pathfinder - last I knew was approaching 500k miles...And it was still running GREAT. The Nissan V6 is considered one of the most reliable V6's ever built by ANY manufacturer.

Too bad they completely screwed up the design when they went to a Crossover SUV this last go-round. Especially with the CVT transmission.

The R51 Pathfinder is what I'm talking about. I'm familiar with the VG and VQ engines. The new Pathfinder sucks but it's what the majority of buyers want I guess, a minivan. It would've been better if they just discontinued the Pathfinder name and called the new one something else.

 

[ebg18t]

Make sure it has the tow package, tranny cooler, oil cooler, proper gearing, brake controls...

I use my F350 SuperDuty Deisel to tow. Gets me over the Rockies without issue and still gets reasonable mpg when towing.

If your going to tow, get a proper vehicle for towing. :behindsofa: