considering upgrading tow vehicle
Hello - We have a small camper - the 16 foot Amerilite, which only weighs 2300 pounds. We are currently towing with our 2011 Nissan Quest minivan (which is a v6). We have always felt that the mi...
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Every diesel engine sold in the least 15 years has a turbocharger and they tend to last twice as long as naturally aspirated gas engines. Having a turbo or not cannot determine reliability. Ford's Ecoboosts are doing okay as far as owner reported problems, but still only around in F-150s since 2011.
I would not expect any gas engine to use less fuel than you do now at 11mpg. It takes the same amount of energy (fuel) to pull your trailer through the air. A larger profile SUV might take a little more air off the trailer, but that is negligible as they weigh 1500-2000 pounds more than your minivan. The only way to use significantly less fuel is by using a fuel with more energy content. Diesels are your only choice for automobiles. Diesel + 3 rows of seats means a farily old Ford Excursion, GM full sized van, Audi Q7, MB and BMW SUVs that cost far more than any fuel savings compared to an Ecoboost Explorer for example.
What A V8 Tahoe, V8 Durango, or Ecobooost Explorer/Flex will improve over your van is the "It feels like the van is working so hard". Your van does work hard especially climbing hills/mountains. That really is how it is designed. That engine make its peak torque at 4400rpm and peak horsepower at 6000rpm, both around 250 in quantity. A Tahoe V8 makes its peak power at similar engine speeds, but a lot more of both. So at 2500rpm where you may want to keep it, A V8 just makes more power and probably enough too tow a high walled trailer up a hill. The Ecoboost is even better offering more power than a Tahoe V8 and it's peak torque is right where people want tot drive, 2000rpm. Diesels are similar, peak torque 1500-2500rpm where people like to drive.
I would not expect any gas engine to use less fuel than you do now at 11mpg. It takes the same amount of energy (fuel) to pull your trailer through the air. A larger profile SUV might take a little more air off the trailer, but that is negligible as they weigh 1500-2000 pounds more than your minivan. The only way to use significantly less fuel is by using a fuel with more energy content. Diesels are your only choice for automobiles. Diesel + 3 rows of seats means a farily old Ford Excursion, GM full sized van, Audi Q7, MB and BMW SUVs that cost far more than any fuel savings compared to an Ecoboost Explorer for example.
What A V8 Tahoe, V8 Durango, or Ecobooost Explorer/Flex will improve over your van is the "It feels like the van is working so hard". Your van does work hard especially climbing hills/mountains. That really is how it is designed. That engine make its peak torque at 4400rpm and peak horsepower at 6000rpm, both around 250 in quantity. A Tahoe V8 makes its peak power at similar engine speeds, but a lot more of both. So at 2500rpm where you may want to keep it, A V8 just makes more power and probably enough too tow a high walled trailer up a hill. The Ecoboost is even better offering more power than a Tahoe V8 and it's peak torque is right where people want tot drive, 2000rpm. Diesels are similar, peak torque 1500-2500rpm where people like to drive.
