Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

brianwhart

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May 19, 2003
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Just curious what everyone thinks is the best 6 cylinder tow vehicle. My setup weighs around 3500. I've been towing it with a Cherokee and it does pretty good, but it's about time for a new ride. I don't tow enough to justify the added cost of a V8, so I think I'm going to go with another 6 cylinder SUV.
 

JB

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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

Most of the 3 to 4 liter 6 cyl. mid sized utilities are good for 5,000+ tows, BWH.<br /><br />I really love my ML320, rated for 5,000lb., but for 3500lb. loads I think I would look at an Explorer V6, rated up to 7,000lb. A 4Runner would also fit my tastes, though I don't know it's ratings.<br /><br />Bottom line? If I had your load to tow I would keep my '98 ML320.
 

POINTER94

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Oct 12, 2003
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

bwh,<br /><br />I would first look at the gear ratio on any vehicle you are looking at. I had a ford ranger with a 4.0l V6 and depending on the gearing it could tow anywhere from 2000-5000lbs. Make sure that your trailer package includes a transmission cooler.<br /><br />Wheelbase will play a part. The longer/wider a vehicle is the more stable a platform it will provide. Although the Jeep Grand Cheroke is a proven design, I would prefer a rig built on a frame and not a unibody. (I never heard of a Jeep breaking apart.)<br /><br />I am partial to CID as a benchmark over hp. Not the most scientific way but has served me well. I have had good experiences with American Trucks and have seen some problems with Japaneese when it comes to torque. I am sure the new units will be comperable.<br /><br />Last but probably most important make sure that the brakes are oversized or at least up to the job. They are maybe the most important thing in the package in terms of safety.<br /><br />Just my 2 cents.<br /><br />Doug
 

BrianFD

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Jul 30, 2003
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748
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

BWH,<br />I'm using an '02 4Runner pulling a '97 19' Maxum 4.3L with excellent results. Before that, I had a '97 4Runner, same-o same-o. I think the newer 4Runners are V8s, though.<br />I could do one of those 'click-your-heels' commercials, if I could get my fat rear high enough in the air! :D
 

Northern Eclipse

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Jun 24, 2003
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

Since my family is in the auto business, I had the chance to tow with several different SUVover the years, the one thing I have learned, If it does not have a Factory tow package and a automatic trans You'll not be impressed, but for the ones I have used with tow package and auto they have all been pretty good, the SUV I liked the best for towing in the v6 range is the Explorer the Blazer Jimmy did well but I think your Jeep would do a better job, I used a Pathfinder once I was not impressed poor torque curve I'v never used a 4 runner or Honda pilot so I cannot comment, but I would suspect the Pilot would do well.
 

dhammann

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Mar 25, 2002
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299
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

Blazer is a good tow vehicle. Cherokee has history of transmission problems. The Blazer has an excellent front to rear weight ratio, the 2 wd will outperform most full size pickups at the ramp as far as traction goes. The factory bumper is good for 3500# at 350# tongue load. The Blazer’s dry weight is about the same as a full size ½ ton pickup but has more weight over the rear axle. With a frame hitch your good for 5000#. The gas mileage while towing will pleasantly surprise you!
 

SeaMasterZ@aol.com

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May 21, 2003
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

the Trail Blazer is a chevy INLINE SIX, smooth, powerful, good to go<br /><br />and GM trannys are world class, rolls royce used to put turbo 400's in their cars, as world class as it gets!<br /><br />and its a sharp lookin rig, I was drooling over them at the chevy showroom, ah the smell of a new car, intoxicating!
 

uncamoose

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Jul 23, 2003
Messages
2
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

Dodge cummins turbo diesel. you did say 6cyl ha ha
 

tommays

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Jul 4, 2004
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

i pull a 3800 # load with 2003 4.3 silverado and on the flat lands its no problem but if your doing any hills you better plan on the some time in second gear at about 4000 rpm to keep minium highway speed <br /><br />tommays
 

fatpratt1996

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Sep 19, 2004
Messages
221
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

What tommays said. Personally I've had a 96 GMC 1500 (4.3)and the rpm's were just up too high for too long for my liking. Is a V-8 totally out of the question? Sure the 6 can do it, but the added strain on the motor always scares the hell out of me when it is a daily driver. Be sure to deffinately have a cooler, towing package and never, never, never pull in overdrive. (had to say that, learned the hard way) you ever priced a 4l60E? I currently have the new Ford 5.4 and I can go 70 mph and only be going 2700 rpm's. Good luck
 

gewf631

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Mar 4, 2003
Messages
489
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

My Pilot will tow a 4,500# boat, and the last time out, I got 18MPG with my 2,500# rig (200 mile trip).<br /><br />I'd think that there's a lot of vehicles out there that would fit the bill - everything from full-size cars to minivans. You've got to determine what the PRIMARY use will be, and then go from there.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

Sorry but I could not resist this one! :p <br /><br />But a nice bulldozer (crawler tractor) works very well!<br /><br />I know that the Trailblazer is great, The S-10 size vehicles are good. Basically whatever fits your budget. A full size Chevy or Ford with a 6 will do a great job without letting you feel like your tow vehicle is "outsized" by your boat.<br /><br />Bob
 

KM2

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Oct 15, 2003
Messages
556
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

I used to tow with a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0l V6 about the same size load as your. It did OK and I really liked that vehicle. If I didn't tow much or very far that would be a fine choice. The 4.7 V8 in that SUV gets about the same mileage as the V6. I use edmunds.com to look up info on vehicles and to read feedback from owners. Check it out.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

The new Toyota Tocoma while not an SUV has a 245 hp V6.And has been inlarged to closer to a Dakota size while maintaining its same milage.It is available in a fullsized 5 passenger cab.Im betting that V6 will be available in other<br />Toyota lines.And Toyota has that added feature::<br /> bullet proof reliability.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

I've towed many loads that size and heavier with Explorers. The latter model V-6's pull just as well in that load range as the V-8's.<br /><br />The V-6 has a five speed automatic. It spreads the power out quite nicely and smoothly. The V-8 has a four speed.<br /><br />V-6 fuel economy is significantly better than the V-8.
 

b.gagnon

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Apr 28, 2001
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

I have a 02 gmc Envoy and love it... It pulls my friends 21' i/o without a prob..
 

jlinder

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Jul 5, 2004
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Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

I have a 2001 Isuzu Trooper. Rated for 5000#, boat, trailer, etc. comes to 4000#.<br /><br />Works great for me.
 

gutshot grouper

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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
110
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

Considering that my Grand Cherokee has no factory towing package, I think it does pretty well with my 5200 pound rig. My 4 liter pulls happily, even with a 3.5 to 1 rear end. Would love to have a 3.73 and some other factory accoutrements, but short of my dream of owning a Cummins powered rig , I guess it will do, Gutshot in Raleigh
 

trollhole

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Sep 19, 2001
Messages
423
Re: Best 6 cylinder tow vehicle??

I would say for practicality a Grand cherokee or an explorer. <br /><br />But any v-6 I would choose the new TDI Diesel V-6 VW Touareg comming out next year. Towing capacity is 7600lbs. Or you could go with a gas V-6 that is out today. Though a new one is 35k used ones can be had for 25-30k. Towing on it is also 7600lbs.
 
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