V6 vs. V8 to Pull The Z

sixpax · 11-04-2012, 05:54 AM

...I think we ended up going to the track twice, a couple of car shows, and about 13 other "events" that we were hosting ... so during the summer about twice a month driving it to somewhere. Average distance was probably 1 hour each way. Most were shorter, some were in the 5-6 hour range. Next year will be busier and I am just trying to limit the highway miles. It's crazy but I think the car is safer on the race track than it is with all the knuckleheads out there on the highways. Appreciate all the great input ... you guys rock.

Nut_N_Much · 11-04-2012, 06:00 AM

Have you thought about a JEEP Commander. 19MPG comfy ride, some come in AWD, 2 WD or 4WD. Lots of room, has roof rack, 2006 is about 14,000.00. Has stability control.

I have one and no issues at all, 105,000 miles on it. Driven across the country towing buggies on Alum Trailer. Comes with HEMI or V6, mine V6 and has nice power.

You could sleep in a rape van, I'm 6'4 so couldn't sleep in Commander, had a tent w/me. Just an option.

IMWEZL · 11-04-2012, 07:27 AM

Never thought about getting a rape van.

I have been comparing the new Durango. I like R/T with the Hemi V8. Towing capacity is 7400 lbs. Pricing thru the dealership is ridiculous. Going with USAA car buying service I have seen a few with the options I wanted in the $34-35K range. I owe the family an SUV we have been using my 2007 GTI as the family hauler.

marks370z · 11-04-2012, 02:37 PM

I have a 2006 4runner with a v6 and it has a towing capacity of about 5k lbs. Ive towed cement mixers, pretty good sized storage containers(uhaul) and will be towing my Z to buttonwillow when its ready. 4runner v6 is pretty reliable as well.

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marks370z

I have a 2006 4runner with a v6 and it has a towing capacity of about 5k lbs. Ive towed cement mixers, pretty good sized storage containers(uhaul) and will be towing my Z to buttonwillow when its ready. 4runner v6 is pretty reliable as well.

Towing a UHaul with that might be sketchy, unless it's a dolly...and you might not want to do that lol. The UHaul trailers are like, 2500lbs or something, I think.

DR_ · 11-05-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marks370z

I have a 2006 4runner with a v6 and it has a towing capacity of about 5k lbs. Ive towed cement mixers, pretty good sized storage containers(uhaul) and will be towing my Z to buttonwillow when its ready. 4runner v6 is pretty reliable as well.

So you are going to be over your towing limit, over your tongue weight limit, on a crappy trailer. What could go wrong?

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR_

So you are going to be over your towing limit, over your tongue weight limit, on a crappy trailer. What could go wrong?

Details details.

DR_ · 11-05-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Details details.

I guess I shouldn't bring up the insurance denial of claim, gross negligence lawsuits, or the criminal negligence aspects either.

nabenson · 11-05-2012, 11:18 AM

U-Haul trailers are too heavy for that setup. My truck has a 6,300lb capacity, and a tongue weight of about 600lbs. I try to stay below about 5,800lbs total weight. I use the U-Haul trailers about 90% of the time.

U-Haul trailer = 2,000 lbs
Z = 3,400 lbs (for the purpose of this discussion)
Driver = 210lbs (me)
Gasoline = 18 gallons x 6lb = 108lbs

that's about 5718lbs with me, the Z, the trailer, and fuel. I would be very uncomfortable going much higher than that, given the capacity rating of the truck.

In general exceeding 90% of your limit is not a good idea. If anything goes wrong you are much more likely to have a bad outcome from it.

DR_ · 11-05-2012, 11:45 AM

Just looked it up and the U-Haul car trailer weight is 2210 lbs.

marks370z · 11-05-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR_

So you are going to be over your towing limit, over your tongue weight limit, on a crappy trailer. What could go wrong?

I never said i had a crappy trailer. Regarding the towing and tongue limit, with a single axle aluminum trailer weighing less than 1000# and even with a fully loaded Z, which mine wont be since it will have some weight reduction for track, it will still be well within the limit.

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marks370z

I never said i had a crappy trailer. Regarding the towing and tongue limit, with a single axle aluminum trailer weighing less than 1000# and even with a fully loaded Z, which mine wont be since it will have some weight reduction for track, it will still be well within the limit.

A single axle trailer seems a bit light...can you show me some single axles that would even support the Z properly?

marks370z · 11-05-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

A single axle trailer seems a bit light...can you show me some single axles that would even support the Z properly?

Heavy-weight Aluminum Single Axle Utility Trailers

There's a couple others that aluma makes that are lighter but the 8112 seems perfect.

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marks370z

Heavy-weight Aluminum Single Axle Utility Trailers

There's a couple others that aluma makes that are lighter but the 8112 seems perfect.

Correct me if Im wrong (I dont know THAT much able trailers and ****) but doesnt the "1-3000# axle" mean it can only support up to 3000 lbs? If so, you're already over your limit...

marks370z · 11-05-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Correct me if Im wrong (I dont know THAT much able trailers and ****) but doesnt the "1-3000# axle" mean it can only support up to 3000 lbs? If so, you're already over your limit...

Hmmm, if you are correct, then I stand corrected and should reconsider what i'm doing. haha.

11-04-2012, 02:37 PM	#34 (permalink)
marks370z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SoCal Age: 32 Posts: 472 Drives: '12 PW NISMO Z34 Rep Power: 14	I have a 2006 4runner with a v6 and it has a towing capacity of about 5k lbs. Ive towed cement mixers, pretty good sized storage containers(uhaul) and will be towing my Z to buttonwillow when its ready. 4runner v6 is pretty reliable as well. __________________ NISMO

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11-04-2012, 07:27 AM	#33 (permalink)
IMWEZL Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: HNL Posts: 603 Drives: 370Z/MKVII GTI Rep Power: 18	Never thought about getting a rape van. I have been comparing the new Durango. I like R/T with the Hemi V8. Towing capacity is 7400 lbs. Pricing thru the dealership is ridiculous. Going with USAA car buying service I have seen a few with the options I wanted in the $34-35K range. I owe the family an SUV we have been using my 2007 GTI as the family hauler.

11-05-2012, 11:18 AM	#39 (permalink)
nabenson Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 103 Drives: 10 370z Nismo PW M6 Rep Power: 15	U-Haul trailers are too heavy for that setup. My truck has a 6,300lb capacity, and a tongue weight of about 600lbs. I try to stay below about 5,800lbs total weight. I use the U-Haul trailers about 90% of the time. U-Haul trailer = 2,000 lbs Z = 3,400 lbs (for the purpose of this discussion) Driver = 210lbs (me) Gasoline = 18 gallons x 6lb = 108lbs that's about 5718lbs with me, the Z, the trailer, and fuel. I would be very uncomfortable going much higher than that, given the capacity rating of the truck. In general exceeding 90% of your limit is not a good idea. If anything goes wrong you are much more likely to have a bad outcome from it.

11-05-2012, 11:45 AM	#40 (permalink)
DR_ Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 981 Drives: Touring/Sport M6 PG Rep Power: 17	Just looked it up and the U-Haul car trailer weight is 2210 lbs.