New to TT, Bit timid to tow ...?
Hi all, I am new to this forum and new to travel trailer camping. We have "the bug" and are looking at small Jayco or Rockwood. We haven't bought the trailer, nor do we yet have a tow vehicle. Howe...
Forum Discussion
CraigJConrad wrote:
Hi GMW ... What, then, do you suggest? I can have the V8 with 3.09 or the V6 with 3.45. I haven't yet seen a way to get the V8 with 3.45, though I intend to contact the dealer to see if that is even possible. If it *is* possible, then I assume that would drop my MPG by about 10% ... not excited about that possibility, either.
For the TT we have in mind (the heaviest being right at 4300 pounds with full LP and fresh water tanks before loading our stuff), which is better -- V6 3.45 or V8 3.09?
My "opinion" is this: when I am choosing a vehicle I am using for towing, I like good towing performance, and if I have to give a bit of gas mileage in my non-towing miles, so be it. So I like "lower" gearing ( higher number ) For instance, our Frontier ( V6, six speed manual ) has 3.69 gears. Our F350 diesel dually has 4.10 gears.
Now then, as I said, I don't buy "for best gas mileage". I want torque at the wheels when I am towing, and the way we get that is with lower gearing.
As to the Jeep, I am a poor person to ask, because I am just not a mopar person. So I'm gonna go way out on a limb here, and probably get flamed, as in burned to a crisp, but here goes anyway: I am not a fan of the pentastar V6. If I were in your shoes, I would choose the hemi V8, hands down. Having said that, again, you need to consider my comments re gas mileage....it just does not matter much to me compared to good towing performance.
You may be right though, you might not have any options in gear ratios with the V8. It's probably fairly common for them to spec a given ratio with each engine/transmission combo. These aren't trucks, where you commonly have more options in gearing.
It's a little hard for me to give really constructive comments though in this case in a overall sense, because a vehicle like that would not be my choice of tow vehicle for a camper that is likely going to be 5000 pounds ready to leave the driveway. But, I reckon that is a different discussion for a different day.
Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful and positive on the whole deal.
Maybe some of the mopar faithful/experienced will weigh in here.
