4cyl road trip review

Since the 4cyl capability and power comes up from time to time, I thought I offer this experience. I'm not presenting the 4cyl is as capable as the V6, but I am presenting what my particular experience was.

99% of the time my truck is in the city on short runs with 1 day of lawn maintenance hauling a 2,000 lb load. It does that great.

This past week, I decided to use it for a beach trip. The truck was "loaded".
I basically hauled a bed full of luggage and 2 bicycles, and another bike on the roof in a Yakima Raptor. 300 miles of the trip two-way were with 4 persons through the I40 and hwy 70 in North Carolina.

Much of the time the posted speed limit was 65 and 70 on flat or low rolling hills. I traveled with traffic speed. The engine tac'd between 2500 and 2750 with a "few" 5K revs to negotiate traffic.

The truck did fine. It held highway speeds very well and I think I only had to push it once in the trip. Accelleration was the biggest thing but, even without reving the engine heavily, I managed not to impede traffic. Sure there were some cars off the line faster but I got up to speed respectably.

The mpg was somewhat hit by the factors. I eeked out 19mpg.

I have made this trip with a lighter loaded 01 v6 4Runner which purred through it and averaged about 20mpg, but I have to say considering the load, the 4cyl did well enough for me to take it again. I hauled a load of stuff.

 

Great description of the 4-bangers ability on a long haul with a load!
Thanks

 

I don't know if this is relevant since I have a gen2 2.7L Tacoma but damn, this truck surprises the he'll outta me. it is more than capable when I put It to work and coming from the 4.0L V6 Tacoma, I can vouch that this truck is totally underestimated by many on it's abilities plus, the MPG is awesome. It serves it's purpose Well!

 

The mpg I had on this trip is not representative of what I normally get. around town it's 18 and on a 80 mile round trip before the one described, I got 22mpg. But the speeds were in the 55-60 range.

 

my highway record with the wind to my back and with the cruise control on 55 was 28.6MPG and thats in the PreRunner not a 5 lug!