V6 vs V8 Towing MPG

[soundmanlpte]

Hey guys,

I plan to upgrade from a 98 to an 08 or 09 at some point and I'm still debating between the V6 and V8. I couldn't find the answer to this question:

What's your mpg while towing? And how does it differ between the 2 engines. So please post what you tow, what it weighs, V6 or V8, and your mpg while towing.

Thanks!

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Hey guys,

I plan to upgrade from a 98 to an 08 or 09 at some point and I'm still debating between the V6 and V8. I couldn't find the answer to this question:

What's your mpg while towing? And how does it differ between the 2 engines. So please post what you tow, what it weighs, V6 or V8, and your mpg while towing.

Thanks!

I don't have the answer to your question but I can tell you that if you want to end the debate that you should just drive both of them. I drove a v8 and then a v6 and it was no question for me anymore. V8 just felt so much better, between the all time 4x4 and the extra torque it just wasn't even a debate anymore for me at least.

 

[soundmanlpte]

I don't have the answer to your question but I can tell you that if you want to end the debate that you should just drive both of them. I drove a v8 and then a v6 and it was no question for me anymore. V8 just felt so much better, between the all time 4x4 and the extra torque it just wasn't even a debate anymore for me at least.

Thanks yeah I plan to. That's good to hear. What's your average MPG in general?

 

[Inv4drZm]

From what I have seen, and some evidence from my brother's FJ (V6) supports this, is that once you load them up, throw on bigger tires, mine gets slightly better MPG than his but he has a huge roof rack with gear and a flat windshield so its probably closer to a wash. But even he admits mine has more power, downshifts less often, and I have 35" tires compared to his 34's. Everything else between our trucks is basically the same.

The comparison was done on a couple hour trip to Moab where I followed him there and drove the same speed.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Thanks yeah I plan to. That's good to hear. What's your average MPG in general?

My commute is only about 5-10 mins and is in the city. I live in a very flat part of North Carolina as well. Generally the computer says I'm around 16. I do drive quite aggressively too. Typically I get about 320 miles to a full tank. On the highway though if the winds aren't crazy and I keep it under 75mph then I'll get about 22 (per the computer). I am stock as well other than a few mods that wouldn't really make any difference. From what my friend with the v6 says, we are very close in mpgs and mine is in all time 4x4 as well

 

[JONBOY345]

Just my $0.02.

The biggest thing to consider between V6 and V8 when towing isn't so much MPG, it's the impact to the rest of the vehicle due to the extra weight.

For example, with a V6 it'll be dropping gears more frequently which increases the # number of cycles on the parts, increases heat, all of which increases wear.

The V8 has a trans cooler from the factory, and iirc, the V6 does not. Cooler transmission temps = better longevity. V8 = less downshifting.

But to answer your question, I got about 15mpg towing an empty 5 x 10 flat nosed, single axle, box trailer maintaining about 60-65mph between Columbia, SC, and Atlanta, GA on I-20 with all of the mods in my signature minus the 18x9 wheels and the exhaust mods.

 

[soundmanlpte]

My commute is only about 5-10 mins and is in the city. I live in a very flat part of North Carolina as well. Generally the computer says I'm around 16. I do drive quite aggressively too. Typically I get about 320 miles to a full tank. On the highway though if the winds aren't crazy and I keep it under 75mph then I'll get about 22 (per the computer). I am stock as well other than a few mods that wouldn't really make any difference. From what my friend with the v6 says, we are very close in mpgs and mine is in all time 4x4 as well

That's really solid man. I average 18.5 right now in my 3rd gen V6. So if moving to the V8 only knocks me down to 16 I'd be happy. Thanks for the input!

 

[soundmanlpte]

Just my $0.02.

The biggest thing to consider between V6 and V8 when towing isn't so much MPG, it's the impact to the rest of the vehicle due to the extra weight.

For example, with a V6 it'll be dropping gears more frequently which increases the # number of cycles on the parts, increases heat, all of which increases wear.

The V8 has a trans cooler from the factory, and iirc, the V6 does not. Cooler transmission temps = better longevity. V8 = less downshifting.

But to answer your question, I got about 15mpg towing an empty 5 x 10 flat nosed, single axle, box trailer maintaining about 60-65mph between Columbia, SC, and Atlanta, GA on I-20 with all of the mods in my signature minus the 18x9 wheels and the exhaust mods.

Never thought about it that way. That has me leaning V8 for sure. Thanks!

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

That's really solid man. I average 18.5 right now in my 3rd gen V6. So if moving to the V8 only knocks me down to 16 I'd be happy. Thanks for the input!

And thats with a really bad exhaust leak and old fluid in the front, center, and rear diffs. If I fix the exhaust manifolds, and put new fluid in all the diffs that should help a bit too. Definitely room for improvement in that number on my end