Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
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Sea Wind
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by Sea Wind »

We tow with a 2011 V8 Durango and it is a great truck. It is completely redesigned from the older Durango. I have always liked the Grand Cherokee, but the new Durango has two advantages: it can seat 7 seven or have much more cargo space, and the longer wheelbase. With the towing mode, adaptive cruise control and other electronic toys it is a pleasure to drive. When I bought it, I also considered the Acadia, Explorer, CX9 an Pathfinder. The V8 is very thirsty in city traffic but it uses the same amount of gas towing (about 12 MPG) than my 2009 Honda Pilot.
raycarlson
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by raycarlson »

12mpg, that's amazing for a little foreign suv. My 7000 lb dodge 3/4 ton diesel squeezes out 16mpg towing my 26m while putting out over 600 ft lbs of torque from its little 6 cylinder cummins.
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dlandersson
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by dlandersson »

You'd think there'd be a good 4 cyl tow vehicle. 8)
raycarlson wrote:12mpg, that's amazing for a little foreign suv. My 7000 lb dodge 3/4 ton diesel squeezes out 16mpg towing my 26m while putting out over 600 ft lbs of torque from its little 6 cylinder cummins.
Last edited by dlandersson on Fri Sep 26, 2014 11:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
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BOAT
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by BOAT »

I use a 5 cylinder tow vehicle.
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Russ
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by Russ »

BOAT wrote:I use a 5 cylinder tow vehicle.
I use 5 1/2 or 6 cylinders, whatever it takes.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by Tomfoolery »

RussMT wrote:
BOAT wrote:I use a 5 cylinder tow vehicle.
I use 5 1/2 or 6 cylinders, whatever it takes.
I see what you did there. :D 8)
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by BOAT »

I don't get it.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by Tomfoolery »

81venture
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by 81venture »

dlandersson wrote:You'd think there'd be a good 4 cyl tow vehicle. 8)

.
There is! I towed a 22 ft Oday 40 miles home with a 1994 Jeep Wrangler with a 2.5 and 5 spd manual. Had no problems....was about 2400lbs easy.

I tow the VN23 on a dual axle trailer with the Admirals 1994 Wrangler all the time, and launch. Her's has the 4.0 straight six and is also manual trans. I tow at 70 mph all the time. The trailer does not have brakes, I don't really see the need since the OEM trailer was a single axle with no brakes.

Other times for longer excursions We use our 1993 Ford E-150 Conversion Van with 5.0 and auto trans. It pulls the boat like its not even there.

And I leave the motor, rudder, everything on the back....the dual axle was longer so more boat on the trailer than before, and farther forwards. As stated previously tongue weight makes all the difference

All our vehicles are pre-1995 and in mint condition, serviced religiously by me. The Fewer computers and "luxury systems" I have the better....more sh~t to break. Automatic lift-gates?? Blue tooth? yeesh...

Also by staying below 1995 in My state (NC) I avoid emissions inspections, inspection is half price, taxes are stupid low, registration is stupid low...the state "computer" values my vehicles as less than $1500 apiece...I could sell either wrangler tomorrow for $5k 8) 8)

my random .02
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by raycarlson »

LOL................I wouldn't even drive a jeep wrangler towing nothing at 70mph.....some people a natural born gamblers.
81venture
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by 81venture »

raycarlson wrote:LOL................I wouldn't even drive a jeep wrangler towing nothing at 70mph.....some people a natural born gamblers.

Haterz be Hatin 8) 8)

I've never had a problem....
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by BOAT »

The Wranglers of old like the CJ6 or 7 maybe - The old CJ3 jeep and those old ones like that are just too short, that's all, but they all have more than enough power to do the job.

The new Wranglers are longer (about the same size as those Mercedes SUV's you guys all like). The jeep is a little tall too. That makes towing forces on the jeep a bit over-multiplied because of the short frame that is so high up in the air.
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by K9Kampers »

I witnessed this one at the Westport, MA ramp last year. The Jeep was moaning and working hard to launch this boat!

Image
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BOAT
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by BOAT »

that boat is too big
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Re: Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

Post by Crikey »

Reminds me of my last Escape with my :macm:
:D
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