V6 Towing

cpayne5

New member
I'm having a hard time deciding between the v6 and v8. I will be doing some light towing - 2 large ATVs (600lbs each) on a small trailer. This will not be an everyday thing - probably just a few times a year. I'm just wondering if anybody else out there has pulled anything equivalent to this with their V6?

All along I had been set on the V8, but now I'm having second thoughts for numerous reasons (gas mileage, only 48 lb.-ft. difference, transfer case selectability).

If anyone has any similar experiences or insight, that would be great.

Sorry mods if this is too similar to other V6 vs V8 threads, but I think I bring a unique twist to the discussion with this.
 
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V8 is the only way to go. Comes with a tranny cooler. Plust that V8 emblem on the grill looks bad ass. You will only get like 1 extra MPG with the v6. I honestly don't know why anybody would ever even think about going with the v6.
 
I tow a combined weight of 4500 lbs with my boat (full of fuel) and trailer with my V6. No problems whatsoever, even with a passenger load of 5 people.
 
V6 is more than capable of towing what you are describing and more.

There are numerous V6/V8 threads out there to describe the merits of the V6 so I won't go into here.
 
cpayne5 said:
I will be doing some light towing - 2 large ATVs (600lbs each) on a small trailer.

I believe that in the other posts, towing for the V6 is around 3500lbs or so.

Should be fine. Perhaps a tank of premium just to make sure... but thats just a thought. I have had half a ton of yard debris with my rig no problem. Its a stick, and the hills were a biotch (for lack of a better term) but other then that, everything went great.

V8s are more suited for your wife suburban and your red neck cousins ford tru'kk.

Save the whales dude... save the whales...





EDIT: Not to mention I have seen people in Wranglers tow as much with there quad-inline H.O.'s (no pun intended. seriously.) Dropped the rear clearance to about 4" but it worked non the less. ;) Get a 4Runner already.
 
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Gas prices are supposed to soar, Dude. The V6 is plenty. I'm soooo glad I chose the 6 over the 8. I know, I know the 8 is much smoother, stronger, bigger, but are you really going to need that extra 48 lbs or torque or 25 hoarses? I'm not knocking the V8, hell if gas prices were down a dollar I'd get the V8 in a heartbeat, but the way things are going in this country with the energy demand and China and Europe on our tail with the concumption of natural resources, every little bit helps in my meager humble opinion.
 
The V6 is good for pulling up to 5K lbs, which would be more then adequate. You mentioned a difference of ONLY 48 ft. lbs., 48 ft.lbs. is a BIG difference, a difference of an additional 2300 lbs. pulling power. Again, you will not need the V8 for what you are pulling. As far gas mileage, there is ONLY a 1 mpg (possibly 2) difference, so the V8 is not going make that much difference in mileage. I can tell you the V8 is SWEET!

Koz
 
Re: Re: V6 Towing

digital0ne said:
Get a 4Runner already.

I'm getting there. I graduate from college in May, so I may take advantage of Toyota's College Graduate Finance Program in the next couple of weeks.

This is what I'm thinking:

White, stone interior.
115 accessory plug
17" wheels
moonroof
roofrack
jbl stereo single disk

I'd also like to get the mirrors painted to match and the running boards will be coming off.

--Chris
 
CPayne, it is obvious by your posts that you are leaning toward the v6. Why do you come in here and pretend like you don't know which way to go. You only thanked the people that made positive remarks about the v6. If you want a girly v6 then get it, but don't pretend like you are up in the air about it. Enough said.
 
standaman said:
CPayne, it is obvious by your posts that you are leaning toward the v6. Why do you come in here and pretend like you don't know which way to go. You only thanked the people that made positive remarks about the v6. If you want a girly v6 then get it, but don't pretend like you are up in the air about it. Enough said.

I really am 50/50 right now.

I came on here asking for people who have similar towing experiences as to what I'll be towing. That's what I asked for at the beginning. I want to make an educated decision based several variables. One of which is the towing capability of the two engines.

I have lurked these forums for several months and have read every v6 vs v8 thread out there and have seen that they turn into 'irresponsible people drive v8's and girly men drive v6' type debates. I could care less about the perception that people will apply to me driving either engine and will base my decision on which engine will suit my needs best. Of course I'd like the v8, but if I find that the v6 will do exactly what I want, then that's what I'll get. If I find that it will be a bit weak, then I'll go for the v8. But, I will not buy the v8 for the shear fact of it being a v8.

I'm sorry that you took exception to my thanking the guys that responded with real-world experience.
 
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If you have lurked around for serveral months about this debate, and have read everything there is to read about it then Why are you bringing up the same subject? Everybody is going to say the exact same thing that was said before. If you have been on here long enough to know about irresponsible people posting information based on V8 are for men and v6 are for girls, then what more info do you need? Come on give me a break, you are leaning toward the v6 and need the reinforcement of other members telling you that the v6 is plenty good. Well here it is: the v6 can do everying the v8 can do an more. There you have it, now quit asking question and just go buy the damn v6.
 
standaman said:
If you have lurked around for serveral months about this debate, and have read everything there is to read about it then Why are you bringing up the same subject? Everybody is going to say the exact same thing that was said before. If you have been on here long enough to know about irresponsible people posting information based on V8 are for men and v6 are for girls, then what more info do you need? Come on give me a break, you are leaning toward the v6 and need the reinforcement of other members telling you that the v6 is plenty good. Well here it is: the v6 can do everying the v8 can do an more. There you have it, now quit asking question and just go buy the damn v6.

To quote Momo: "Lighten up Francis..."

He's asking a simple question. Sometimes we need re-enforcement that we are making the correct choice, so there is nothing wrong with that.

Thats what a forum like this is for, to ask questions and get answers.
 
Hell, my moms 1986 4 cylinder ford tempo with 201,000 miles on a crappy ford engine pulls 2 jets ski's to the lake.

It was a loaded question from the beginning. I need to tow two 600lb four wheelers every once in a while. What the hek do you think people are going to say? Oh hell NO, the v6 can't tow that. Man, you have just irritated the shit out of me.
 
V6 or V8 I thought the 2 engines/vehicles where rated to tow the same amount, I'd say either is fine but if you tow more, more often on extended trips go for the V8 but then again people tow with V6 Explorers and those things are underpowered with passengers, you could always opt for the aftermarket trans cooler.

Now as far as the gas mileage, if you think a V6 which gets about 1mpg better is gonna save you from high gas prices, could you please explain that to me:confused: cause I don't get it
 
Your fine with the V6, I think some of the V8 guys are breathing in to many fumes;):
 
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standaman said:
If you have lurked around for serveral months about this debate, and have read everything there is to read about it then Why are you bringing up the same subject? Everybody is going to say the exact same thing that was said before. If you have been on here long enough to know about irresponsible people posting information based on V8 are for men and v6 are for girls, then what more info do you need? Come on give me a break, you are leaning toward the v6 and need the reinforcement of other members telling you that the v6 is plenty good. Well here it is: the v6 can do everying the v8 can do an more. There you have it, now quit asking question and just go buy the damn v6.

I have read all the v6 vs v8 threads and none of them dealt with a question as specific as mine - real world experience. I never said that every subject has been touched by these threads, nor that I knew everything about these vehicles.

I really don't understand why you're being so defensive about it.


--Chris
 
cpayne5 said:
I have read all the v6 vs v8 threads and none of them dealt with a question as specific as mine - real world experience. I never said that every subject has been touched by these threads, nor that I knew everything about these vehicles.

I really don't understand why you're being so defensive about it.


--Chris

he does not even own a 4Runner yet;):
 
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