Printable View
I am also due for new vehicles. After driving 8 cylinders for ever, I am considering downsizing for gas economy. Here is the question: How big of a motor do I need for pulling my crappie boat? It is a 16' Alumacraft. 3 batteries, 12 gal gas tank, TM, outboard, etc. Will a 4 cylinder pull it up a steep. long ramp? Will a 6 cylinder pull it up a steep. long ramp?
What would be best for towing? I usually drive between 45 min to 1.5 hrs to go fish.
What do you guys think?
6 is good we move boats around the farm with four wheelers ...you been v-8 for awhile dont even try 4 you'll kill it
First, any vehicle you are looking at. Check the tow rating, does it have or can you get a tow package. A bigger 6 will do just fine if gear ratio in rearend is good for towing. Fuel economy and towing don't normally go together. Any time you are towing or hauling there are trade offs in fuel economy. What size vehicle you looking at?
I pull my 16' Lund which weighs around 2,500lbs including the weight of boat, motor, trailer, gear, etc... with a V6, 210hp and 254 ft/lbs of torque with no problems.
I pull my 16ft Tracker with 55 Yammy with a 2002 Acura MDX which is a 6 cylinder. It is a higher HP than the standard V6 in the Honda and Acura cars but still a 6 and it does just fine. It is 4 wheel drive, selective not AWD.
What I really like is that on the hwy at 65MPH it gets between 22 and 25 MPG. Drops to 18 or 19 pulling the boat.
I had a 2wd ranger with a 4 cyl before my silverado, let me tell you don't forget about those hills going 58 towards Buggs! I wouldn't trade my 4wd or V8 for nothing now lol. However since ive had my silverado I have launched in some pretty bad conditions without a hiccup.
I pulled my 16 foot Alumacraft w/40 hp Nissan Outboard, three batteries, 6 gallon fuel capacity loaded with gear with a 2005 Ford Escape V6 4X4 and never had a single issue in all types seasons and conditions.
Wish I still had it too.
I have never owned a 4 or 6 cylinder to pull my boat. Presently own a Toyota Tundra which has been an excellent vehicle. For size only, I am looking to downgrade to a smaller vehicle. Tundra is a little big for me now. Problem is the Tacoma only gets a mile or 2 more mpg.
I got to see Vic's Traverse & Roy's Ford Edge last week and like them both.
Right now I am leaning toward a Jeep Cherokee. I have never owned a Jeep but have always liked them.
You wont get good mileage with the JeepQuote:
Originally Posted by Don G
For over 20 years I had a 4 cylinder 4-4 and pull big bass boats to Fla ,the boats were up to 21 feet and 200 hp ,gave truck to my grandson and still going with over200,000 miles ,much of the miles were pulling. I now have a ranger 6 cylinder that I pull my 17&1/2 ft bass tracker with 60 hp 4 stroke and I pull it to Buggs all the time. The only thing now 8 cylinder gets near about as good on gas as 6 and pulling a light boat the mileage does not hardly change ,but on 6 or4 they will change 5-8 miles a gallon.
It aint about pulling so much as it is stopping, trailer brakes can help but would rather have a vehicle that has the ability to stop what I am trailering as well. Best advise I know of is to find something you like in the fuel mileage range you want that has towing capabilities, then when you go to the lake don't worry about the fuel mileage just go have fun. 4X4 is very handy no matter the motor size but 4 low will make even a 4 cylinder a beast on a steep ramp. Good luck.
I pull my 18ft Ranger with a v6 Explorer 2wd sometimes and it tows better then my F250 gasser. Towing with the exploere I get 14mpg normally it gets 20mpg
the f250 towing it gets about 11mpg and 13mpg normal :(
I get 20- 21 mpg on the road with my 08 GMC Serria Z-71 , 5.3 V-8.........when I pull the boat it drops to 18 mpg. I like the room and comfort of the full size truck and also the power. The four wheel drive is nice to have when the trailer wheels fall off the end of the ramp in low water conditions or when the ramp is covered with silt.
NOt trying to be rude but why in the world would you downsize? The new V8's of any Manufacturer are getting excellent mileage. Your fuel economy will not be any better unless you get a 2wd 4cyl. I have a 4x4 2010 chevy silverado, 5.3 V8 with 33" tires and on road trip I AVERAGE 20.5 to 21.3 MPG. Around town 16.5 to 17mpg and all-around driving backroads and back and forth to work, I normally get 18mpg. My dads 4x4 F150 V8 gets slightly better than mine but he has stock tires. If you get any V6 pickup or SUV the AVG MPG will be the same or worse. Only disadvantage is these vehicle do cost slightly more than a midsize vehicle. I would not sacrafice the room, comfort and the power of a full size vehicle
I've pulled boats with 4 cyl Toyotas for 38 yrs. I pull a 17ft Alumacraft with a hull weight 0f 1200 lbs, 3 batt, 22 gals of gas an a lot of tackle. got a 70 yamaha on the back. it gets 18mpg pullin. got a 2010 now, last was a 1998 with 290,000miles on it. ain't ever spent much on repairs. nuf said!
Bought a jeep commander for the ol lady, aweful gas mileage... Small gas tank =lots of time fueling up. Max range of a full tank is 380 miles. And that's not even the hemi it's the 4.7 L
I wouldn't trade my silverado for nothing, also if on the ramp and you need to get to the boat or trailer you step over into the bed and walk down... With a SUV that's really awkward
Thanks for the input. You guys gave up some good advice. I'll let you know what I end up doing, as soon as I strike it rich.
By the way, I love my Suburbans. If money wasn't an issue, I'd gladly get another one.
Waiting for Government Motors contract to come up. How will this work with the Government & Union owning what WAS General Motors? Should make for some interesting bargaining.:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl
However, Trumpka is not happy with his buddy..
Everybody makes his or her choices and I respect that. I can just no longer support any program or business that is under Government control.
Hey Don as you know I just got back from Duke,s MR,and while there nurse said had to ask question to see how I respond,what Month is it,what year and day,where are you at and I answered them then she ask who was president and I told her she did not want to know. 4 dr came in at one time with their stepicope and said they wanted to listen to me, I told them that would be great because no one else wanted to listen to me
:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl:RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by genec