V6 vs. V8 to Pull The Z
 

... just curious if anyone has used a V6 PU to pull the Z around ... or any 3,000 pound car for that matter. Ever being the cheap skate that I am I have been somewhat bummed at the cost of V8 versus V6 trucks ... mainly been looking at GMC Sierra 1500's or Silverado 1500's and the difference on getting a used one with a V8 and stay in my price range means a truck with a chitload of miles on it ... V6 drops ALOT in price and much lower mileage. Just not sure if a V6 is even realistic to be looking at to drag the Z around. As far as trailer it would be an open aluminum.

Thoughts or input appreciated. I did search but but didn't really see much about about this.

Can you do it, yes. But it isn't near as safe and it is a lot more work. Even with smaller V8's it still takes more work than I would like, especially when tired after a long weekend. I like that in my Armada I can just set my cruise on 75mpg (legal limit here in Texas) and relax on my way home..
I can understand that you want save some money so you might consider a V8 work van as they typically depreciate the most and make a nice place to camp in when staying overnight at the track.

I agree, the vans are cheaper and have exactly the same running gear as the trucks, and a crap load more secure covered storage. You can even get them in the HD models capable of towing up to 10,000 lbs. Only downside is you look like a child molester (if you write "free candy" on the side) or a electrician/plumber when driving without a trailer attached.

Haha yes, rape vans we call it

LOL ... I would probably graphic it to match the car so hopefully that would look better than like "LUCKY'S ICE CREAM CONES" ... any suggestions on a make and model ?

how about the new Ford V6 turbo?

Plenty of power but overpriced. Not many on the used market at this point.

Look at the Chevy Express vans, 1500 (5.3L) or 2500 (6L). Used they are fair bit cheaper than their truck equivalents.

That is a whole different story. My dad bought one a couple months ago and they tow great, better than my Armada. Better power, much better brakes, built in brake controller, really a solid towing rig. I towed on the Million Dollor Hwy in Colorado and the turbo really does great at altiitude.

I haul my 3000 lb 370z on 1700 lb trailer with my 2012 v6 Jeep Grand Cherokee. My jeep is equipped with tow package.

Frankly it hauls just as we'll as my 2009 v8 Chevy Silverado. Actually feels safer!

I have plenty of power. I can stop quickly. Never feels like trailer is overpowering the car.

And I get 17 to 18 mpg towing when it's flat.

At the moment, when my Mustang lease is up, I am planning on trading the expedition in on a Cayenne diesel to use as both daily driver and tow rig.

You tow that much with a unibody vehicle? I don't know I would just have a problem with that. Not saying it can't do it but thats a LOT of weight for a Grand.

You know the new gen Grands are on new stout Mercedes chassis right? V8 Grand on same chassis is rated at 7400 lbs. Germans make their chassis to tow. Dang thing weighs 5000 lbs. it's like it's made from solid steel ingot! Lol! Just saying this isn't your average unibody vehicle.

Has all sorts of awesome engineering focused on towing too! Anti-sway technology, tranny that locks gears, extra oil and tranny cooling.

I have thousands of miles towing with 2009 Silverado v8 Crewcab with same trailer and car. The jeep stops quicker and feels better towing. Only thing it gives up is a little grunt on real steep hills but frankly the jeep will pull mountain grades at 60 to 65 mph no problem.

You dont want this to happen...

so the guy was towing his e36 with his 5 series wagon? O_O

Suspect that trailer wasn't rated for weight of the car loaded on top, car towing wasn't rated for that load, tongue weight not balanced, speeding, not slowing down when sway was happening.

I tow with a 2006 Frontier with the 4.0 and an automatic. I haven't had any trouble. It gets terrible mileage but can handle 5500lbs without any trouble.

If you want an enclosed trailer definitely go V8. I have a 2011 2500HD with the 6L v8 and wish I had a diesel. ~8mpg with my 24' trailer and ~15 without.

It pulls the ~10,000lb trailer just fine but the gas is a killer. One of the guys has a Ford with the turbo 6 and loves it... gets 15-20 mpg towing his open trailer.

I have the same truck and essentially the same 24' trailer and get 10-11 mpg. The diesel does a lot better obviously.

Wow. What kinda speeds? I would probably be better on gas if I didn't tow at 70-75mph... With 70mph speed limits I feel like I'm getting run over.

I have a 2008 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L. Wish I had the 6.0L (or, newer 6.2L) but I never imagined I'd be towing a flatbed in the future when I bought it. The 5.3L has gotten my car, all supplies, and a UHaul trailer (VERY heavy flatbed) around ok...hills can be irritating though.

I try to keep it close to 65, but will do 70 on the flats. I had a trailer tire blow out at 75 mph from what appeared to be tread separation (overheated) and it sounded like someone had dropped a bomb under my truck. Took a while to unweave the separated tread that was wrapped around the axle.

I get the biggest improvement by not trying to steam up the hills too hard. Build momentum before the hill, let some of the speed fall away slowly as you climb and use as much throttle as possible that doesn't kick down a gear until you need it. Using this technique I climb most hills in 5th, and only have to use 4th near the top of the really steep ones. If it needs 4th then I back off a bit and cruise up at around 60.

The savings on a 500 mile tow is about $40. That buys a lot of beer.

TROOF. I do the same - accelerate down the hills leading toward an uphill, and feather it as long as possible on the uphill.

I use to drive one everyday as our work van! Now we have a ford transit connect!

So we wont be seeing you on America's Most Wanted!

Economical rape van.

This type for the molestation

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/48/117...eb347979c7.jpg

This one for the raping and bank robbery

http://images01.olx.com/ui/1/49/67/14774267_1.jpg

Overkill is your friend in a tow vehicle. I used to have a Dodge Ram 2500 Sport with Cummins diesel for towing a 6000lb boat back and forth from Florida to Chicago. The truck had something around 12,000lb towing capacity. The 'going' was never an issue and we'd routinely cruise rock steady around 75-80mph despite the massive aerodynamic drag of the boat. However, stopping could often get hairy. The trailer had pressure activated brakes (not electric) and they worked for $hit. I recall a couple instances of ditching into the emergency lane when traffic stopped abruptly.

My suggestion would be to get as capable a vehicle as possible if you're looking at long distances or highway speeds. It could save your life. If you're just moving around town, then you can get by with significantly less in the tow vehicle. Just remember the limitations and err far on the side of safety. Just like in a track car, the braking ability is far more important than the power. And those maximum tow ratings are not where you want to be living with your setup...you'll be struggling if you're near your vehicle's max towing capacity.

But, you are probably towing once a month at most, and driving the truck around all the other days too. Maybe a v6 with a stoptech upgrade and take it easy while hauling

I am with Mike. I ended up with a V6 CUV with no towing capacity, I figure it is cheaper to rent a truck or borrow a rape van for the occasional run to school, I meant track

http://www.mediafire.com/conv/5d2a29...100dfbda6g.jpg

Instant panties liquidifier

Or you can spend a little more and get one of these for like $6000.

http://images.auction123.com/1385a20...g?webimage001l

I am leaning toward this option.

http://www.the370z.com/members/sixpa...4314-370z2.jpg

...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. :tup:

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.

Never thought about getting a rape van. :ugh2:

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. :driving:

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. :tup:

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.

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

Details details.

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

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.

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