topwop39
Akron,Ohio
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I am looking for a new(used) diesel tow vehicle. I noticed that the Ford and Chevy's have V-8 engines, while the Dodges have I-6 (inline) engines. Does the I-6 engine have comparable towing power to the V-8's? Since it is a six cylinder, does it get better fuel mileage?
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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Someone will be along shortly with a more detailed explanation, but suffice it to say the Cummins I6 makes plenty of power for excellent towing performance. It is currently rated at over 300 horsepower and 650 lb.ft. of torque.
Take a look at the post by ib516 to see how the Cummins stacks up against the other v8 diesel offerings. It stacks up quite favorably to say the least.
See the comparison HERE!
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pcm1959
St Augustine, FL
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Don't be concerned about cylinders. Look at specs. The Dodge/Cummins I6 turbo diesel is a tried and proven engine with lots of power. From 2003-2007, it produced 325hp with 610 ft lbs of torque. I love mine. It has been trouble free and has plenty of power. All three brands of the diesel pick-ups have comparable power. A lot of it is personal choice. While I prefer the Chevy cab interiors, I went with the Dodge because of the Cummins. Good luck in your choice. pcm
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Rich K
YAMHILL OREGON
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I own a 2005 ctd Dodge and wouldent trade it for no v8 deisel .I love the power and im not knocking the GM guys but i was a GM owner for many years but i like the ride of the dodge better and ya cant beat the cummins.One of are trailer freids own a 2006 duramax hes very happy with it but im getting better mileage up hill or flat.But im sure anyway ya go will be good dont know much about the Fords
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dshelley
hernando, mississippi
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Over the years, we've seen the US manufacturers build V8 gasoline engines for the most power in our cars and light duty pickups. A smaller displacement 6 cylinder engine was usually offered for those who wished to burn less fuel, or save a few dollars at purchase time, or perhaps just didn't want or need the power of the V8. Due to this we tend to think of a V8 as having more power and buring more fuel than the 6, either inline or V type.
The diesel engines are quite different in that the 6, such as the Cummins found in the Dodge truck has larger bore and or stroke, than the 8 cylinder offerings from Ford or GM. All this means 6 large holes are about the same size collectively as 8 smaller ones. Which in turn means, about equal power and fuel burn. There are those who believe 6 cylinders have an advantage because of fewer moving parts and those who believe 8 cylinders may provide smoother operation. Most of those preferances are opinions though and in actuallity one design doesn't necessarlity prove to be better overall for the useage we owners subject our pickups to.
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ib516
Up here!
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Consider this. Every OTR truck (semi truck) that I've seen that works pulling heavy loads day in, day out, has had an inline 6 cylinder....
That said, there's nothing wrong with most of the competitors V8 designs - but, some are better than others. The inline design does generally make more torque at lower RPM than a V8 design, which is ideal for towing.
All of the modern diesel engines in pick up trucks are rated very close to the same power output, and I'm sure they all get comparable mileage, though the newest crop (2008) is down on average due to added emissions control equipment that chokes power and decreases mpg.
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camping man
Central Fla.
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It will have same power /torque, just it's torque will come on at lower rpm's which in my opinion is better for towing. Don't count on any better mpg really, unless you get an older pre DPF model. I think some of the modded Duramax's get the best mileage, from what I've read.
See how the same power gets distributed across six rods instead of 8, look at the thickness of the Cummins rod to the old model Ford and GM diesels. 
* This post was
edited 10/07/08 06:50am by camping man *
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eightballsidepocket
San Jose, California, USA
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topwop39 wrote:I am looking for a new(used) diesel tow vehicle. I noticed that the Ford and Chevy's have V-8 engines, while the Dodges have I-6 (inline) engines. Does the I-6 engine have comparable towing power to the V-8's? Since it is a six cylinder, does it get better fuel mileage?
Actually if you talk to saavy mechanics or engineers in the automotive field, you'll find that the I-6 design in both gasoline or diesel configuration has the best natural harmonic design for anti-vibration. Also you can configure in a 7 main bearing crankshaft too.
The V-configuration both in V6 and V8's allows for a shortened block length-wise, as you are not lining up one cylinder behind the other, but instead are off-setting them via the V-design. This allows the V-cylinders to actually overlap the linear spacing compared to straight line spacing. Result: You can fit the same displacement engine in a smaller engine bay length wise, but it will be a wider engine because of the V-design.
For instance, a Cummins I-6 will likely have a longer block than a V8 or V6 diesel block of similar displacement.
I'm not sure, but I believe that the full block weight of the Cummins I-6 is a bit heavier than the Ford Powerstroke or GM Duramax diesel.
I don't know why, unless the Cummins block has heavier internal webbing, and somehow heavier internal components.i.e. rods, rod caps, and of course the crankshaft. Even though there are two-less rods, pistons, rod caps, less valves & assembly, it is possible that the six major components that make up the internals still has more overall weight or mass in iron/steel than 8 pistons and their components in the two V8 diesels.
I'm sure some diesel mechanics could chime in that have worked on all three diesels.......the Cummins I-6, Powerstroke V8, and Duramax V8.
Regards, Eightballsidepocket
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The HitchHikers
Gold Bar, WA
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For many years only an I-6 was available and they proved to be great engines. For comparison look at the old Ford 302 V8 and their 300 I-6. The 6 actually was a better puller than the small 8 of virtually the same displacement. I know a man that stated specifically he purchased an I-6 in a Ford because it had better towing power than the 302 offered in the same year.
Can you imagine the power that a straight 8 diesel would make? They used to make straight 8s before they made V8s and the hoods on those cars were really long.
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JustLabs
Washington State
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On top of whats already been posted,the Cummins is a medium duty engine where the Duramax and Powerstroke are light duty.
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