New Truck.

I am in the process of looking at a new vehicle to tow my boat around. My 182 T.S Crestliner weighs approx 1,800lbs give or take a couple of hundred, this includes the motor’s. I would like to get in to a V-6 just to save on money and gas. I have a Dodge Ram right now with a 360, it pulls my boat with out blinking an eye.

I guess my question to the fellow viewers is do you think a V-6 would pull my boat with out wearing out the vehicle? I am not much of a motor head!

Thanks!

My old V-6 got about the same mileage towing as my V-8 does now and was a real dog especially on hills. That was awhile ago though. Some of the newer V-6 models may have adequate hp and torque. Your boat isnt that heavy. Its the gas mileage when Im not towing that hurts the pocket book a bit. If you can swing it I’d stick with the V-8.

I’m no motor head either but my dad is………..so I’ll shoot his experience toward your consideration.

Dirk is right about the towing or working performance of the 6’s out there. They just don’t sport the torque and have to work harder than an 8, therefore having an immediate strain on economy. I can’t speak for all brands but I’ve been hearing well of the newer Fords with the 4.6 V8, regarding overall economy. Maybe a smaller 8 would be a better option.

I did well with a 5.3 in my Tahoe but it was consuming oil like crazy! No drips, stains, leaks, no blue puffs when ya start it…………..but every 2000mi was another quart low!

The best thing you can do is read. Start researching reports and consumer facts and see what stacks up as the best suitable choice. But a 6 would surprise me to be your fit. You’re pulling a load more often than the average guy and harder worked engines wear out quicker. A lot of times the transmission that comes with a 6 is less than you’d desire as well so keep that in mind.

Good luck on your quest!

I pulled my boat for a year with a Ford Explorer with a 4 Liter V6 and it did OK, but I traded for a Chevy pick-up with a 4.8 liter V8 and there is no comparision, and thats the small V8. The mileage was better with the Chevy V8 than the Ford V6, I don’t think the motor had to work as hard. I’m sure I don’t need to say to get the towing package that includes the transmission cooler. I don’t want to sound like Tim the tool man about more POWER but when your towing a boat….. it can’t hurt. Hope I helped. SNAKEYES

I tried pulling my Lund 1850 Tyee with V6 and kicker on the back, 3 batteries, front trolling motor, all the gizzmos we normally carry. Believe boat was about 1600 dry, 28gal fuel. The truck was a Chevy Blazer with the 4.3 Vortec. It absolutely struggled pulling the rig so I traded it for a full size Chevy with (at the time) 5.7V8. I was never so pleased as to how that big truck pulled, no problems and the economy was better than the V6. Your Crestliner probably weighs more than my Tyee did..I’d go for a V8. My present rig is a Tahoe with 5.3V8, very nice engine so far but less torque than my last 5.7.

good answers here. I can only reiterate what Snakeyes said. A transmission cooler would be a must have. Jack.

Hey Dustin,
You know what I’m gonna tell ya – go with the 327 v-8 Chevy. Mine gets around 20 mpg, and will handle your rig with no problems. You won’t be satisfied with a v-6, and pulling a load it will probably do worse on gas then the v-8. And I agree, the transmission cooler is a must.

Gary

Most towing packages in new vehicles include the transmission cooler, and a lot of them include an engine oil cooler
as well. I have 3.73 rear end gears in my Tahoe (the standard selection) but 4.10 was available. The standard gears do fine for
my present boat load, would pull yours as well. More than likely if you get a vehicle with tow package it won’t have
shallow rear end gears and will have some deeper ratios for pulling. I have heard that the GMC dealer in Rochester orders most new
trucks with 4.10 gears because of the difference in torque for the new 5.3L engines vs the old 5.7L vortecs. The Chevy dealer does not
do this so that question is up for grabs. Sounds like everyone is trying to sway you to a V8, me included. Good luck shopping

Dustin,a v-6 in a full size e-cab would be like running your boat with a 100hp instead of your 175.You can do it but you wouldnt for very long.The new in-line 6 from gm would do a great job,it is within 15hp of there 5.3 litre with great torque. This motor however is only available in the suv trailblazer,envoy,etc.not pickups as of yet.Without question,all bias aside GM has a significant advantage with there v-8 motors in regards to power-mpg issues.In my opinion you would be stepping over a dollar to pickup a quarter with a v-6.Good luck!

As a shop owner working on mostly overloaded, overworked, and sometimes under maintained trucks all I can say is DO NOT sacrifice the horsepower dreaming of better economy. For commuting – go for MPG. For towing go for HORSEPOWER – the better MPG will likely be the result of having sufficient reserve to do an efficient job of pulling

that v-6 will hog just as much gas as the smaller eights if not more so seriously consider a small 8

Well,
I have a 1996 Ford F150 with a Straight Six under the hood.
It now has just shy of 200k miles. I would be as bold to say I pulled a boat for 30% of those miles and have yet to do any major repairs. I do however change all the fluids regularly. Oil , tranny, antifreeze.
I do only manage 45 mph up the Guttenburg hill heading south but other than that I do quite well.
As for a V8, I’d love the extra horsepower but the 6 banger I can say nothing bad about.
Jc

Hey Dustin, I finally got rid of the blue car for towing and bought an older Blazer with a 2.8 six with fuel injection and yes it tows alot better than my old car that had a 4 banger in it. BUT it slows right down on hills towing and my boat is 16 1/2 ft. and yours is an 18 ft. It uses alot of gas too when towing. Wish it had a bigger motor. You could cut down on your gas bill if you found a place in Red Wing or even Lake City to keep your boat in and then wouldn’t have to haul it to and from Rochester a couple times every week. Bill

Thanks for all the input guys. It has made my decision making a heck of a lot easier. It looks like I will be going with a V-8 for sure.

Bill, I like having my boat at home with all my stuff in it just to keep things up to par. If I have a guide trip and have to prepare it saves me a lot of time along with sleep down the road, which results in more time on the river.

Thanks again!

Hey Dustin,
one more idea if you can swing it, I have a full size Chevy pickup with the V8 it is the only way to go ( V8 that is, brand is personal preference although I do love my Chevy Z71) I have a1990 geo that I use every day to drive back and forth to work and running around town, helps keep the miles off my truck and saves me gas money each week. A extra car probably costs me more money but I think in the long run I will come out ahead because my truck should last me longer. This way I pretty much only put highway miles on my truck, any mechanic will tell you that the hardest thing on a truck or a car is in town driving. Just my two cents. Good luck on what ever you choose.

Thats why I drive a 1995 Geo for everything but towing. Geo gets great gas mileage and the tow vehicle last longer. And believe me, I need my tow vehicle to last as it always an older model. lol. Bill

Dustin, There was one other think that I would’nt be without and thats 4 wheel drive, for me thats something that I don’t always use, but when I need it it’s nice to know that I have it. At slippery boat ramps it can be a life saver. Just a thought.

Hey Dustin A friend of mine is trading off his Dodge Diesel
and it it a great truck pm me if you want more info.

Len

Len, I don’t have one-yet. But that V6 dodge diesel is quite a powerhouse. It pulls my heavy rig up those hills you’ve got and you never know it’s behind you. Most hills, it’ll never leave overdrive.