I would never buy a full sized truck for towing and get a V6. That V6 is already working pretty hard moving around the full sized truck and is going to really struggle with hills, passing and maintaining a decent speed on the highway once you hitch up 4000+lbs.
It’s impossible because 99% of people don’t want a manual. I love the 6 speed in my car and for anything that is remotely fun to drive manual is the way to go. My tow vehicle is an auto though, and always will be.
If you are getting a 6cyl (which I agree, V8 w/auto is definitely preferred), the Ford 4.9L L6 is the best to get, its got good torque and nearly bulletproof.
Word. My Xterra is a 6 speed stick and it’s just a hassle moving my boat around without toasting the clutch.
As for not getting a 6 cylinder, yeah you’re probably right as any 6 cylinder with the balls to tow will get just as shitty of gas mileage as a V8. Might as well get the flatter torque curve of a small V8.
A V6 in a medium sized SUV where a V6 is the top of the line choice is different. That VQ in your truck is well matched to the truck. A V6 in a full sized truck where it was engineered with that idea that if you wanted to tow you can just get a V8 is much different.
I tow with a 6 cylinder, I don’t see what the problem is:
But honestly, stay away from a V6. You’ll hate life if you get one. The small V8’s are dogs as well. Another thing to keep in mind is that 1/2 ton pickups are not built like they were 20 years ago. They’re more like cars with boxes on them now. If you’re going to do any serious amount of towing, look for a plain jane regular cab 2wd 3/4 ton truck. They’re as cheap if not cheaper than an optioned 1/2 ton and will do 4 times the work. You’ll get a bigger engine, heavier tranny, heavier axles, and bigger brakes, and likely an 8’ box instead of 6’. One of the best trucks I ever had was an 87 F-250 2wd reg cab, with a 300 straight 6 and a 4 speed. Just my .02
I tow with my 2000 xterra, but it sucks…way too little power
didnt newman tow something with his sti?
I forgot to mention - If you get a truck that’s an automatic, try to get one with a “towing package.” They come with a bigger radiator and tranny cooler. If you can’t find a truck with a towing package, you should really put an auxiliary tranny cooler on it. It seems to me that the autos just don’t hold up anymore so the cooler will help it live longer. All my trucks have been standards. I prefer them for towing since you can get better control over what the drivetrain is doing, but they can be a bit of a pita when maneuvering the trailer. Just more to think about…
for a jet ski I believe
Buy my GMC!!!
89’ 3500 ext/8ft 350/th400, tows 16000 lbs like a dream every weekend to holland!
I’ve towed with a manual before and it is nice being able to precisely control what gear you’re in, especially on hills. If I were towing through the mountains a lot I’d get a manual diesel and install a jake brake.
For the towing most people do around here an automatic is a better choice. Lock out the OD and the modern computer controlled auto will do a fine job matching load/gear.
A lot of people debate 2wd/4wd on towing vehicles. IMHO, go 4wd unless you know you’re only going to be towing in good weather and no dirt lots. Over Christmas vacation I delivered that CR-V to my mom on a uhaul tandem trailer and there were several times where I would have never got it moving with just 2wd. Boat guys… once and a while you’ll get a launch ramp that’s slimy and you’ll go nowhere with just 2 drive wheels in the slime. Race trailer guys… wait till you have to leave a dirt lot that turns into a mud lot because of a flash rain storm.
4wd is one of those things you might really need only 2-3 times a year but if you don’t have it those 2 or 3 times you’re really screwed.
excellent advice JayS. thanks.
+1 on everything JayS just said about 4wd
oh also, with my xterra, it is a 4wd 5 speed. It is hard as SHIT to get a boat out of the water with it in 2wd. We’re talking TONS of clutch slippage, really bad. Pop that bitch into 4-LOW and it pulls the boat out like it’s not even there.
Tell me you don’t have one of those KA24 xterras?
no, it’s a v6 model…pretty sure it has less than 200 ft.lb of tq though
Ah OK. I still can’t believe the offered a 4 cylinder in an Xterra at one point. :picard:
yeah, pretty bad. I should also note that if I did have a KA24 Xterra, it would have been turboed YEARS ago, lol
lol