tow vehicle

[msteward]

I am towing a Evolution E1 with a 97 Toyota 4runner (3.4 L v6).  I am somewhat appalled at the gas mileage I'm getting - est 13-14 mpg.  Performance is ok except on the steepest hills.  I was wondering if a used 1/2 ton turbo diesel would get significantly better mpg for towing.   any thoughts experience along these lines would be appreciated.   I would definetly be looking for somethin 5 + years old as it would be more or less a single purpose vehicle.
Thanks.

[GeneF]

I am towing a Evolution E1 with a 97 Toyota 4runner (3.4 L v6).  I am somewhat appalled at the gas mileage I'm getting - est 13-14 mpg.  Performance is ok except on the steepest hills.  I was wondering if a used 1/2 ton turbo diesel would get significantly better mpg for towing.   any thoughts experience along these lines would be appreciated.   I would definetly be looking for somethin 5 + years old as it would be more or less a single purpose vehicle.
Thanks.

Wow, I would love to get that kind of gas mileage.

[Funrover]

That mileage isn't bad  IMO!!!  and a 1/2 ton diesel?   that is really rare!  not non-exsistant but rare.....    What are you wanting in a vehicle... a tow rig or multi purpose?  Just curious!

[msteward]

That mileage isn't bad  IMO!!!  and a 1/2 ton diesel?   that is really rare!  not non-exsistant but rare.....    What are you wanting in a vehicle... a tow rig or multi purpose?  Just curious!

Shows you how little I know.  I live in salt lake city and drive a toyota prius as my daily commuter.  I keep the 4runner as my hunting/desert romping/pull the pop up camper rig.   A friend (with a pimped out dodge 2500 cummins diesel) suggeted that with a turbo diesel pick up I could get @ 20 mpg pulling the camper and obviously have a lot more torque than in the relatively small v6.   Also could run bio diesel which is available here.   So the pick up would replace the 4 runner as my wknd recreation ride.    So I just wanted to see what other people thought.   I may have been misinformed.

[A2SuperCrew]

I've currently got a 2006 F150 Crew Cab 4x4 as our TV.  The lease will be up soon, and I am seriously considering purchasing an F250 Crew Cab 4x4 with the diesel.  My Father-in-law has one, and loves it.  I've driven his, and love it too.  It would be overkill for towing a PUP, but maybe it'll last longer because it won't have to work so hard.  My F150 gets average 14 MPG, but that drops to 10 or worse when towing.  His F250 Diesel gets 18 MPG.  I don't know what the towing milage would be like.

On the other hand, my wife has a Honda Pilot which is rated to tow our PUP just fine.  I guess if fuel prices continue upward, we'll be forced to put a tow package on the Pilot.

I prefer my TRUCK!

[Funrover]

Shows you how little I know.  I live in salt lake city and drive a toyota prius as my daily commuter.  I keep the 4runner as my hunting/desert romping/pull the pop up camper rig.   A friend (with a pimped out dodge 2500 cummins diesel) suggeted that with a turbo diesel pick up I could get @ 20 mpg pulling the camper and obviously have a lot more torque than in the relatively small v6.   Also could run bio diesel which is available here.   So the pick up would replace the 4 runner as my wknd recreation ride.    So I just wanted to see what other people thought.   I may have been misinformed.

Well it is true you will get better MPG's!!!  But you are giving up certin items to do so:

Ride quality - totally different, The 4runner is a really smooth ride and while off road takes away most of the bumps. The ram rides rouch and will bounce you all over. It depends if that is important to you! I do have a pick up and I don't mnd much on road... but washboard after 30 miles gets ROUGH!!!

Cost - Now this is a touchy one..... I promote diesel, I think they are better all around, BUT repairs can be $$$$. That being said if you plan on keeping the rig for a long time you will come out ahead....

The diesel wouldn't really feel the camper and your yota struggles up hill at times I am sure....

There are many benefits to the diesel, but you are looking at a 3/4 ton like your buddies. If you have family you lose interior space for trips/kids etc..  Tires on the diesel will run you more also!


With a few people I know that have the Ram Diesel(great motor BTW  that 5.9 rocks)  they get about 15 - 18 MPG average pulling a trailer

[grcooperjr]

Boy I guess I cant complain. My H3 pulling the E3 does 13 to 15 in the mountians of Oregon. Havent had it on the flat lands enough to test it out

[msteward]

Well it is true you will get better MPG's!!!  But you are giving up certin items to do so:

Ride quality - totally different, The 4runner is a really smooth ride and while off road takes away most of the bumps. The ram rides rouch and will bounce you all over. It depends if that is important to you! I do have a pick up and I don't mnd much on road... but washboard after 30 miles gets ROUGH!!!

Cost - Now this is a touchy one..... I promote diesel, I think they are better all around, BUT repairs can be $$$$. That being said if you plan on keeping the rig for a long time you will come out ahead....

The diesel wouldn't really feel the camper and your yota struggles up hill at times I am sure....

There are many benefits to the diesel, but you are looking at a 3/4 ton like your buddies. If you have family you lose interior space for trips/kids etc..  Tires on the diesel will run you more also!


With a few people I know that have the Ram Diesel(great motor BTW  that 5.9 rocks)  they get about 15 - 18 MPG average pulling a trailer

Funrover, thanks for the thoughtful response, especially re: off road, which I do a fair bit of.   I upgraded the suspension on the runner for towing and offroad, 2inch lift and bilsteen shocks so it sounds like I should have patience on the hills and drive the runner into the ground and then see what is available.   I considered going with a v8 runner or equivalent but from what I found, the gas mileage on the non diesel v8s isn't too great either.   I do like the longevity of the diesels.  Interesting, I looked at used TD rams and most of them had 150,000 miles or more and still commanded a pretty penny...
Matt

[Funrover]

Funrover, thanks for the thoughtful response, especially re: off road, which I do a fair bit of.   I upgraded the suspension on the runner for towing and offroad, 2inch lift and bilsteen shocks so it sounds like I should have patience on the hills and drive the runner into the ground and then see what is available.   I considered going with a v8 runner or equivalent but from what I found, the gas mileage on the non diesel v8s isn't too great either.   I do like the longevity of the diesels.  Interesting, I looked at used TD rams and most of them had 150,000 miles or more and still commanded a pretty penny...
Matt

150,000 is nothing!!!!!  Diesels last a long time!  I have a 71 mercedes Diesel with 502,000 miles!!  But yes you do pay a preimium!!!   But my main tow vehicle is a 92 Range Rover 3.9L V8... and is SLOW up hills like you wouldn't believe... It's also not the best in MPG's!! BUT OFF ROAD AND RIDE QUALITY IS AWSOME!!!!!


With all the mods you have done to your Toyota I say keep it....  The V6 you have will be fine just slow like me.....LOL....  But you have spent the $$$$ to make it super nice...bilsteins are great!  I don't know how serious you are into 4-wheeling etc but a lot of toyota guys go to Marlin Crawler for tips/tricks.... It may be worth you looking at!! You may also try http://expeditionportal.com/forum/   there is a lot of information to be found for toyota guys/gals!!!

Do you have anymore questions?    So down the road.. Yes diesels rock   and America is finally letting in more diesels by the time your yota dies(which given it is a yota will be 300,000+) you will have a great choice in diesel rigs that are also smooth and not so big.... but bigger then the Jeep Liberty!!  Good Luck! I happen to like the runner and know others that have one!!  You made a good choice!