V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

[evolution1985]

Hey guys, I currently have a 2003 ford explorer xlt 4L v6 with the 5 speed auto.
I love it, drives great, tows great, super comfortable.
In fact the misses loves it so much she bought her own as well.

Now I have an opportunity to purchase quite cheap the exact same car but with the 4.6L v8.
I know that the V6 has
*157 KW
*344 nm torque

and the V8 has
*178 KW (+21 KW)
*382 nm torque (+38 nm)

My question is will the extra 38nm torque make that much of a difference in towing? My wellcraft comes in at about 1600kg on the trailer loaded with all the fuel and gear we take with us and my current explorer tows it fine, but Im hoping that the v8 will do it a bit easier and save me some fuel and a little less strain on the motor?
Is it worth it? My car and the one im looking at have the same amount of km on them and both in really good condition. A mate will buy mine for more than what the V8 one is going to cost me cos of all the extras with it. So money to buy or run isn't an issue.

What are your thoughts guys I'd really like a heads up on this, as if im going to buy it it will be this weekend.

Cheers in advance guys and gals

 

[steelespike]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

While the V8 will give a little more power I don't see how it could possibly save fuel.
A little bit of the extra power will be eaten up by the extra weight.I'm guessing the 8 will get 20 or 21 highway
without the trailer. The V6 21-25.I think the 8 mileage will really get hurt in city driving.
Probably not an issue but the 8 probably hurts handling a little.You might notice the difference if you tend to kind of wheel and deal around town.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

While the V8 will give a little more power I don't see how it could possibly save fuel.
A little bit of the extra power will be eaten up by the extra weight.I'm guessing the 8 will get 20 or 21 highway
without the trailer. The V6 21-25.I think the 8 mileage will really get hurt in city driving.
Probably not an issue but the 8 probably hurts handling a little.You might notice the difference if you tend to kind of wheel and deal around town.

Yeah I was thinking that too, but according to the information its pretty much the same weight. I don't really drive around town too much, mostly highway. I was thinking that if Im towing on the highway the motor wouldn't have to work as hard so therefor save fuel? it'll fit in theory but its not an awefull lot of difference torque or power wise. I did notice it felt a little heavier in the front when cornering but not that noticible. Its almost at the point where It'll be up to tossing a coin. heads I do, tails I don't. haha :facepalm:

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

For the weight your towing I'd stay with what you have. If you were towing towards the top of tow range then maybe. Also your Exploder is a known, you know its history etc. The V8 is an unknown.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Hey guys, I currently have a 2003 ford explorer xlt 4L v6 with the 5 speed auto.
I love it, drives great, tows great, super comfortable.
In fact the misses loves it so much she bought her own as well.

Now I have an opportunity to purchase quite cheap the exact same car but with the 4.6L v8.
I know that the V6 has
*157 KW
*344 nm torque

and the V8 has
*178 KW (+21 KW)
*382 nm torque (+38 nm)

My question is will the extra 38nm torque make that much of a difference in towing? My wellcraft comes in at about 1600kg on the trailer loaded with all the fuel and gear we take with us and my current explorer tows it fine, but Im hoping that the v8 will do it a bit easier and save me some fuel and a little less strain on the motor?
Is it worth it? My car and the one im looking at have the same amount of km on them and both in really good condition. A mate will buy mine for more than what the V8 one is going to cost me cos of all the extras with it. So money to buy or run isn't an issue.

What are your thoughts guys I'd really like a heads up on this, as if im going to buy it it will be this weekend.

Cheers in advance guys and gals

I have the 2004 Explorer V8 - it gets about 19-20 mpg on the highway 16 mpg towing the trailer only and 13 mpg towing the boat & trailer ( 3000 kg +/-). The only advantage that I see with the V8 is that your towing capacity will be increased into the 3500 kg range (7000 lbs). The V6 Explorer comes in at about 2200 kg towing capacity.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

For the weight your towing I'd stay with what you have. If you were towing towards the top of tow range then maybe. Also your Exploder is a known, you know its history etc. The V8 is an unknown.

that is true, my car was a ford managers car down at the broadmeadows plant here in australia, Im the first owner outside of ford. Its in perfect mechanical condition. If the V8 was going to make a huge difference I probably would take a bit of a risk with it.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

I have the 2004 Explorer V8 - it gets about 19-20 mpg on the highway 16 mpg towing the trailer only and 13 mpg towing the boat & trailer ( 3000 kg +/-). The only advantage that I see with the V8 is that your towing capacity will be increased into the 3500 kg range (7000 lbs). The V6 Explorer comes in at about 2200 kg towing capacity.

I just ran all that through the calculator, I was a little confused thats around 21Lph, then I noticed how big your boat is. lols
Your high way mpg is around 2 LPH better than my V6 but I expected that. That does help a heap. I will admit The other thought in my mind is I have a supercharger off of an F150 lightning sitting in my garage that should fit the V8 explorer. ( I have allot of parts from when I had my shop) and that makes it a little more enticing, but I've heard that the 5spd autos aren't that strong so I don't know if It would handle the blower. I think I may go back and go over it with a fine tooth comb and do some research into the strength tolerances of the trans. The extra towing capacity would be handy as I seem to be the one who gets stuck with all the towing out of my friends so thats an upside I didn't know about.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

...The extra towing capacity would be handy as I seem to be the one who gets stuck with all the towing out of my friends so thats an upside I didn't know about.

Sounds like a downside to me

I'm with most here...if your current vehicle meets your needs, why change? Or, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

 

[jkust]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Here's what I know. My suv (a similar sized GM) had a base I6 and an optional v8 engine choice. The HP are almost identical but the v8 offers a lot more torque and the mileage for both is the same patially due to the displacement on demand for the v8. The v8 basically does everything better and even sounds better and gets equivalent mileage. I have two of them with the V8 with the v8 being uncommon.

 

[dingbat]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Now I have an opportunity to purchase quite cheap the exact same car but with the 4.6L v8.
I know that the V6 has
*157 KW
*344 nm torque

and the V8 has
*178 KW (+21 KW)
*382 nm torque (+38 nm)

My question is will the extra 38nm torque make that much of a difference in towing?

It will if the V6 is turning 5300 rpm to make the torque and the V8 is only turning 2000 RPM.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

It will if the V6 is turning 5300 rpm to make the torque and the V8 is only turning 2000 RPM.

I'd really like to know how accurately this site portrays information, its called redbook and gives you the details on the cars, i think it's similar to your nada.

anyways its saying that the V8 makes peak torque at 400rpm?
and the V6 at 3750rpm?
it also states that they have the same towing capacity? WTF?

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Sounds like a downside to me

I'm with most here...if your current vehicle meets your needs, why change? Or, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

yeah I suppose it is, but...... gotta look to the bright side everynow and then. The only reason Im asking is it a killer deal, but I do love my car, so yeah I wanted to know if anyone has an idea on the differences, haha the car yard wouldn't let me tow my boat on the test drive! :facepalm:

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Here's what I know. My suv (a similar sized GM) had a base I6 and an optional v8 engine choice. The HP are almost identical but the v8 offers a lot more torque and the mileage for both is the same patially due to the displacement on demand for the v8. The v8 basically does everything better and even sounds better and gets equivalent mileage. I have two of them with the V8 with the v8 being uncommon.

Thats where my thinking was as well, but I don't know how reliable my information is. and on the test drive I had no idea if the fuel economy was going to be a good indication.

 

[Jake007]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

I am a fan of a V8 for towing and also for a bigger vehicle. I had two different Explorers over the years and both towed my 20' boats fine. However, the trany started slipping by 100K miles on both. I moved up to Tahoes after a near accident on a highway. I had someone jam on their brakes in front of me and I had to do the same. The boats momentum just pushed the Explorer down the highway like it was a VW. I changed to Tahoes and never looked back. The Tahoe is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Large, solid, well built, tows great. My wife and family also feel safer when towing with the Tahoe. Take one for a test ride, you may change your selection for a tow vehicle. Either way, I would say, go with the V8. I don't think I have ever heard someone say with a car or boat, I wish I had less power than this.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

... I was thinking that if Im towing on the highway the motor wouldn't have to work as hard so therefor save fuel?

Both motors will be working just as hard. It is all about Power!
The larger engine will make more power only when push to do so.
You will have better acceleration and better hill Climbing ability with the larger engine.
The larger engine will get you from 0 to 60 faster if both engines are run wide open.
But both will run at 60mph on the flat just the same.

A typical tow Vehicle may need 50hp to maintain speed with an average load.
A 250 hp 6 cyl making 50 hp going down the freeway, is operating at 20% power.
A 335 hp 8 cyl making 50 hp going down the freeway, is operating at 15% power.
Both are making 50hp and burning the same amount of fuel to produce the same 50hp.

But The 8 cyl has more internal losses due to more moving parts.
So the larger Engine will get less fuel economy, all else being equal.
No one has ever said, "Don't get the 4 cylinder, you can save a lot more gas with an 8 cyl.!"

Larger tires; Only give the Illusion of better fuel economy.

Overdrive; Lowers the RPM but raises the manifold pressure at the same power level.
There is a slight advantage of reducing the internal friction due to the lower RPMs.
The high Cylinder pressure stresses the engine, and raises the temperatures.
Downshifting a gear reduces stress on the power train and has only a slight negative effect on your fuel economy.
Contrary to popular belief, your fuel consumption is NOT directly proportional to your RPM.

The smallest engine that will do the job will always be the most efficient. It's in the physics.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

I am a fan of a V8 for towing and also for a bigger vehicle. I had two different Explorers over the years and both towed my 20' boats fine. However, the trany started slipping by 100K miles on both. I moved up to Tahoes after a near accident on a highway. I had someone jam on their brakes in front of me and I had to do the same. The boats momentum just pushed the Explorer down the highway like it was a VW. I changed to Tahoes and never looked back. The Tahoe is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Large, solid, well built, tows great. My wife and family also feel safer when towing with the Tahoe. Take one for a test ride, you may change your selection for a tow vehicle. Either way, I would say, go with the V8. I don't think I have ever heard someone say with a car or boat, I wish I had less power than this.

I presume you mean the chevy tahoe? thats like a GMC yukon right? Yeah I gotta be honest with you here, I would love either one, or an expidition, escolade or anything larger than the explorer. UNFORTUNATELY we aussies are a bit left out when it comes to big american cars, I think you guys forgot about us in about 2005:facepalm:....... in saying that a 1999 dodge durango is like 25000 aud, and a 2000 silverado is about 38000aud. lols so a bit ridiculous in pricing, that and to import and convert is well out of my price range. without going to a landcruiser the explorer is about my best bet.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

wow thats a good reply.........

Makes sense.

 

[Sabbath]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Or you could give the Ford Exploder a miss altogether

But seriously,have you thought about a diesel?

 

[evolution1985]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

Or you could give the Ford Exploder a miss altogether

But seriously,have you thought about a diesel?

Hey mate, another victorian.

Yeah I've had cruisers, patrols, and rovers, both in petrol and diesel, and to be honest with you the explorer that I have is by far the best car I've had to date, just the nicest to drive and tows like a freight train. the disco I was looking at has a huge towing capacity but by joves they suck to drive. I had a look at a 2008 patrol diesel and i didn't like the way it drove.

My car tows fine its not like the earlier explorers that seem to blow up on you every time you started it in the morning. :facepalm:

Where abouts in melbs are you? I grew up there in wantirna and camberwell.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: V6 or V8 for towing, difference?

The smallest engine that will do the job will always be the most efficient. It's in the physics.

I agree with everything in your post, however I am a proof in numbers kind of guy. I used to have a 2000 Nissan Xterra, 3.3l V6, 5 spd, 4.08 gears. My 6x12 utility trailer, 675# unladen weight, and my atv, approx 700#, total= 1350#. When I towed this trailer with the Xterra, The best mpg I could muster, was 10.8 mpg. Now I know, I am comparing apples to oranges, in a way, but my 2008 Ram 1500 w/ 5.7l, Automatic, 3.92 gears, pulling the same trailer, the same quad, on the same route, I got 15.3 mpg. I really do believe, if the Xterra had a V8, or even the 4.0l V6 that the newer Xterras have, the towing mpg would be better. I have been taught that what you do, down low, to get the vehicle moving, determins what kind of mileage you will get. If you need to run it hard to get it going, you will use more fuel. The increased torque of the V8, requires less "Go Pedal" to get the combination going, when compared to the V6. At least it makes sense in my head. I know, 2 totally different vehicles, but I cant really complain with the V8 Power, and the MPG. I say, get the V8, It will not work as hard, and you will have the power needed, for most situations. The Torque is where its at.