who tows with a V6? - Page 2

Seacrets · #11 08-13-2008, 10:34 PM

Pulled with a Cherokee 4.0 liter 6 and it did a great job.

THEFERMANATOR · #12 08-13-2008, 11:02 PM

I used PINKY on several ocasions to haul my V-20, it did pretty well. I held it down to 55-60 since I didn't have trailer brakes, but other than that it was fine. The GRAND's downfall would be the 42RE tranny. They are notoriously troublesome and weak, and should never have been put behind the 4.0L's torque. The WRANGLER you have uses a de-rated 4.0L(CHRYSLER doesn't publish that part, but the TJ's only got about 175-180HP program), and the GRAND would have the true HO 190HP or 195HP version in it. The regular CHEROKEE has a MUCH better drivetrain in it, but you still have that short wheelbase. If your not in a hurry, then any of the 4.0L SUV's will do the job. Your WRANGLER if it's an auto will most likely have 3.08 gears which makes them doggy. The CHEROKEE will most likely have 3.55's, and a GRAND will have 3.73's.

What year GRAND are you looking at? If your looking at a 99 or newer look for a V 4.7L, you will thank yourself in the end if you may tow much(not to mention the PERMANENT grin everytime you hit the go pedal). If it's a 93-98, then the 4.0L would be my choice. The 5.2L's are OK, but still fairly thirsty. It boils down to personal preference in the end though. The 4.0L in any year can pull a V-20 at highway speeds safely, but braking is best acoplished with trailer brakes as a bonus. I wish I would have taken a picture of my 97 CHEROKEE towing a WELLCRAFT 248 with a bracket and twin 225's on a tri-axle trailer. It pulled it fine, but it took almost a half mile to stop from 45.

taqwache · #13 08-14-2008, 01:02 AM

You wont have any problems towing it with a 6. I pulled mine with a 95 S10 blazer with a 4.3L and it did the job fine. But believe it or not, you will get better gas mileage towing with a V8. Mainly because it doesn't have to work as hard to do the same work. Right now I use a 96 suburban with a MPI 350 to pull my V20 and my race car. The only thing better then that, in my mind, would be a diesel.

csvencer · #14 08-14-2008, 06:20 AM

I use our Jeep Liberty all the time and it is great. Also did a long haul up from FL to VA with the Liberty and she sat right at 65 with no problems.

-Svence

C YENSEN · #15 08-14-2008, 07:16 AM

thanks boys......and Ferm....I am looking for the nicest, least expensive i can find

Pipe_Dream · #16 08-14-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taqwache

You wont have any problems towing it with a 6. I pulled mine with a 95 S10 blazer with a 4.3L and it did the job fine. But believe it or not, you will get better gas mileage towing with a V8. Mainly because it doesn't have to work as hard to do the same work. Right now I use a 96 suburban with a MPI 350 to pull my V20 and my race car. The only thing better then that, in my mind, would be a diesel.

I agree, especially if you tow A LOT. Next to a diesel, the V-8 will pull it so well that you almost won't know it's there. And there's an added degree of safety in having a tow vehicle more closely aligned in weight with what you're towing. I used to tow with my '95 4Runner, which was admittedly underpowered, but even once I got it up to speed it didn't feel nearly as secure as the Suburban. The big truck is just superior for towing all around, and there are a lot of nice used ones for sale these days.

C YENSEN · #17 08-14-2008, 10:11 AM

well i only tow 4 miles round trip usually once a week. so i think a 6 will work. would rather have an 8 but we will have to see what i can find cheap.

my goal is to get at least $7500 out of the wrangler and buy something for 4 or 5 thousand and put a nest egg away for when junior is born in december......

THEFERMANATOR · #18 08-14-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C YENSEN

well i only tow 4 miles round trip usually once a week. so i think a 6 will work. would rather have an 8 but we will have to see what i can find cheap.

my goal is to get at least $7500 out of the wrangler and buy something for 4 or 5 thousand and put a nest egg away for when junior is born in december......

Get a 6 if that's all your towing. I towed furthur than that with my 97 hauling that 248.

Pipe_Dream · #19 08-14-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C YENSEN

well i only tow 4 miles round trip usually once a week. so i think a 6 will work. would rather have an 8 but we will have to see what i can find cheap.

my goal is to get at least $7500 out of the wrangler and buy something for 4 or 5 thousand and put a nest egg away for when junior is born in december......

Oh yeah, you'll be just fine with a 6, then.

nipper · #20 08-14-2008, 12:21 PM

I agree you will be fine with a 6. I used to tow a 20' formula with a 4.0 litre Ford Explorer. I thought I needed a little more oomph and a little newer vehicle, so I traded the Explorer for a Mercury Mountaineer (Mercury version of Explorer) with a 5.0 litre V8. The V6 4.0 really did just as well. I now tow with a Suburban, and it is a beast. I towed my V20 Cuddy with the mountaineer, and it did ok power wise, but the V pushed it around on the highway. For your short distance, you should be just fine with a 6. You won't be doing any holeshots, but you shouldn't be driving hard when towing anyway.