V6 MPG less effected by weight and wind than I4?

I've got a 2011 reg cab with a roof top tent, 2" lift, slightly bigger tires, and I often haul around lots of camping gear as well. A good amount of weight and the tent adds wind drag, of course. I did 4.88 gears in it to help and it doesn't lug anymore, at least, but the MPG suffers from all those factors. I seem to get 17-19 MPG combined when loaded.

I'm thinking about getting an access cab for some more inside space... V6 or I4. I'm thinking perhaps my I4 has been suffering a MPG loss due, of course, to the weight I haul but also due to the wind drag of the tent and tires.

Would the extra power of a V6 potentially be able to be less effected by wind drag and weight, and therefor suffer less of a MPG drop with all my gear? My thinking is that the I4 is probably working too hard with all that stuff (I think I get around 17-19 MPG combined). Maybe the V6 would be able to handle the tent, gear, etc without changing its factory MPG too much?

 

Can't beat physics, so the loss from the drag will still be there.

IIRC engines are at their most efficient at something like 80% throttle though, so if you've got the pedal on the floor all the time, the V6 would probably be better off.

Either way I'd go for the v6. If you have some restraint, they can get perfectly fine mpg.

 

Right on, thank you -- I drive like a grandpa so I'm glad to hear my restraint might be rewarded. Thanks for the info!

 

Gonna effect it the same amount, ill get down to 12-14mpg loaded n towing in the v6.

 

The fuel mileage on the 6 lug trucks is not good. Not any of them.
I had a AC PreRunner 2.7 w/5 spd.

I have an AC 4.0 Auto now. There is a big difference in power. Very big difference if you are towing.

IMO, the 2.7 is “just” adequate for the Regular Cab truck.
The AC and DC really should have the 4.0 to achieve their full potential.

I mean, they even made a Regular Cab 1st Gen with a 3.4.
I think even Toyota themselves knew, but the 2.7 is so reliable they “stuck with it”.

 

I can't say for sure in this case. But it is pretty clear from past experience that engines that have power to spare don't take as much of a loss in fuel mileage or performance when they are under a load than engines that are already working hard even unloaded. The less powerful engine will require more time in lower gears and with the engine turning more rpm's to maintain speed than the more powerful engine.

But in this case even the V6 isn't exactly a powerhouse. I know that when you get into 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks the bigger, more powerful engines always get much better fuel mileage when towing than the ones with smaller engines.

 

For what it's worth, I have a similar setup as youc but I have the V6 2" lift, 31" tires and NOT loaded up for camping I get average 16 MPG mixed 50/50 hwy/city. On this trip towing this SxS on 6x12 trailer I average 12 MPG. I'm not sure how people manage better MPG than me with similar setups because I drive like a grandpa and don't exceed 65 MPH because more than that is more than 2k RPM and i'm not a fan of losing MPGs.

 

What gears do you have? You definitely don't have aerodynamics working for you, and all terrains aren't great for milage either.

EDIT: It could be other stuff too.

 

i get 13 lol. The v6 isnt exactly a fuel efficient motor.

 

I think you will end up disappointed if you go through changing trucks for better MPG's only... Once that reg cab is gone you may never be able to get another good one!

 

Interesting.

I regularly get 19-20 mpg running a STOCK, unmodified, AT with the 1GR-FE engine in mixed driving. I expect the mpg to fall with the colder weather and winter blends in the pumps

I wouldn't say the mpg is great, but it isn't bad either. My wife's 1.5L Turbo in the CR-V gets about 32 mpg. But its less than half the engine, 75% of the weight, CVT transmission, more aerodynamic than the Tacoma. On the other hand, the Tacoma is a working vehicle where as the CR-V is a family vehicle.

 

Who's driving and how its maintained makes a huge difference. I get 19-20 average out of my v6 nissan, 15-16 towing, and occasionally bump as high as 24 when the planets align.

 

Just a couple of tips to help maximize your mpgs.

Keep the tires inflated to correct pressure. This time of year the temperature cooling will reduce the tire pressure.
Stay tight on the friction fighting maintenance. Lubes and brakes.
Don't carry a load of gear for "just in case". Remove anything and every thing possible. It takes fuel to haul weight.
Drive with a light right foot.

 

Stock gearing, only running 265/65/17s so they're not causing any problems with gearing. ATs and the lift definitely are the biggest thing along with the roof rack somewhat but it's relatively flat except for a solar panel 24/7. Only have the traction boards when out on trails because I don't want to take the hit to look cool on the streets. I doubt OP will be getting 17-19 MPG with an identical setup with the V6, it's meant to go forever not exactly efficiently lol

 

I usually average 16-18 overall in my 4.0. Of course, I can squeeze a little better with 93 octane. (usually run 91 however)

 

Does anyone know how much difference in mpg you can expect between a manual and an auto transmission?

 

OP, are you running the AT in 4 and not using overdrive? I stay between 18 and 20 mpg year round, including warm ups throughout the winter.

 

Keep in mind that 4 cylinders burn less fuel but will also have to work harder to achieve the same result. Sometimes that negates the benefit. I believe the 4 cylinder is actually rated for worse MPG on the highway than the V6.

 

OP what youre getting with the I4 (17-19) loaded is what i get in the stock V6 with nothing. If I sneeze, the backwards force drops that to 15.

 

My friend gets 23-25, in his 2015 manual 2TR. Loaded with equipment year round.

We upgraded his exhaust, and clutch. That has helped tremendously.