Towing with the 2.7L I4

Andy42 · 12-14-2007, 10:08 PM

Hey everyone,

I'm a new guy here and looking for an reliable, fun, and economical 4x4 vehicle with some decent towing capacity. I see that the 2nd generation 4 cylinder Tacos are rated to tow 3500# and that is just perfect for my needs, the folding trailers I am looking at (such as the Aliners and Chalets) max out at about 3000# loaded. But I am going to be exploring the Wild West and traversing many a mountain pass with a steep grade and at altitudes of 9,000 to 12,000 feet. I am sure the Tacos chassis and brakes are up to this task, but how about that 2.7L I4? Will it really pull that heavy a trailer up these mountain passes? I know how to shift and keep the RPM and horsepower up there, but is the Taco I4 up to the challenge? I really would prefer the I4 to the V6 if it can handle this task - decent gas mileage is important to me (at least when not towing)! What are your thoughts?

Andy

maverick491 · 12-15-2007, 06:47 AM

Everything you ever wanted to know about towing with a Tacoma

To answer your specific question. As long as you properly set your truck and trailer for towing you should have no problems with the 2.7L with a 3000 lb. folding trailer. It is not the weight that I thought my 04 2.7 had a problem with, but the weight combined with the air resistance. With a folding trailer you won't have the air resistance problem, so the 2.7L should serve you very well.

concrete jedi · 12-15-2007, 03:21 PM

I agree with Maverick491, the I-4 is the bomb when it comes to 4 cyl engines, you won't be passing anything but it will handle it fine. I would suggest a set of nice tires, good gas(higher octane), and the 5 speed, I think the auto would kill the deal. The 4 liter would do it very nicely, auto or 6 speed. Have fun and send pix.

Andy42 · 12-15-2007, 06:03 PM

Maverick, that is one sweet towing tutorial! I'm learning a lot from that. What I am planning looks very feasible.

Concrete, I sure would like an auto tranny but I find it's not available on the 4x4's with the I4 engine! Maybe it's asking too much of that engine to perform 4x4 duty with an auto tranny. I guess I can live with a manual. But it's not the only puzzling option limitation I'm finding with the I4, it seems cruise control is not available with that engine either. I'm planning on using this vehicle a long time (10 years) and gas is surely going to be costing a lot more in that time frame, so I really want to stick to the I4. Toyota seems to be pushing the V6 however!

Good point about the wind resistance, BTW.

maverick491 · 12-15-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy42

Maverick, that is one sweet towing tutorial! I'm learning a lot from that. What I am planning looks very feasible.

Concrete, I sure would like an auto tranny but I find it's not available on the 4x4's with the I4 engine! Maybe it's asking too much of that engine to perform 4x4 duty with an auto tranny. I guess I can live with a manual. But it's not the only puzzling option limitation I'm finding with the I4, it seems cruise control is not available with that engine either. I'm planning on using this vehicle a long time (10 years) and gas is surely going to be costing a lot more in that time frame, so I really want to stick to the I4. Toyota seems to be pushing the V6 however!

Good point about the wind resistance, BTW.

I think that there is a thread on here about adding the factory cruise control after purchase.

Since the new Tacoma's are all drive by wire, it is pretty much just plug and play. I think. If I get time later I'll see if I can find the thread. It may have been Tsunami22 who wrote it up so perhaps he'll just chime in and save me the time.

Edit:

here's the cruise controll threadhttp://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...l-install.html

And to credit it properly, it was hammerdog and not Tsunami 22 who wrote it up.

Andy42 · 12-15-2007, 06:48 PM

WOW, you guys are awesome!

concrete jedi · 12-15-2007, 09:24 PM

I have a six and six and it pulls like a train, not to long ago I had bout 1000 lbs in the bed, got it up to 62mph, set the cruise, and never looked back. I felt pulling trailers was easier with manuals, a little more feel to it. But if your not going to pull everyday than the I-4 is the way to go. Learn to love the 5 speed.

12-14-2007, 10:08 PM	#1
Andy42 Junior Member Joined: Dec 2007, #3842 Location: Seattle Posts: 10	Towing with the 2.7L I4 Hey everyone, I'm a new guy here and looking for an reliable, fun, and economical 4x4 vehicle with some decent towing capacity. I see that the 2nd generation 4 cylinder Tacos are rated to tow 3500# and that is just perfect for my needs, the folding trailers I am looking at (such as the Aliners and Chalets) max out at about 3000# loaded. But I am going to be exploring the Wild West and traversing many a mountain pass with a steep grade and at altitudes of 9,000 to 12,000 feet. I am sure the Tacos chassis and brakes are up to this task, but how about that 2.7L I4? Will it really pull that heavy a trailer up these mountain passes? I know how to shift and keep the RPM and horsepower up there, but is the Taco I4 up to the challenge? I really would prefer the I4 to the V6 if it can handle this task - decent gas mileage is important to me (at least when not towing)! What are your thoughts? Andy

12-15-2007, 06:47 AM	#2
maverick491 Towing Guru Joined: Apr 2007, #1462 Location: South Jersey Age: 32 Gender: Male Posts: 1,010 07 4x4 Access Cab, TRD off road, 6 cyl, 6 spd 2007 Access Cab Manual 4.0L V6 Activator III brake controller, Extang Fulltilt toneau, Factory bed mat, Extra D-rings in the bed, 2ndary air filter removed, Garmin Ique GPS, Eco-2, AFE Pro Dry-s filter, USASPEC PA12-toy, Pioneer 3-way speakers, SG II on Blendmount, Gulf States Alarm added.	Everything you ever wanted to know about towing with a Tacoma To answer your specific question. As long as you properly set your truck and trailer for towing you should have no problems with the 2.7L with a 3000 lb. folding trailer. It is not the weight that I thought my 04 2.7 had a problem with, but the weight combined with the air resistance. With a folding trailer you won't have the air resistance problem, so the 2.7L should serve you very well. __________________ Maverick491 (Adam) DIY MODS Activator III brake controller Extra D-rings Aftermarket speakers w/TacoTunes mounting kit Illuminated 4wd switch ECO-2 VPE Scangauge II/Blendmount

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12-15-2007, 03:21 PM	#3
concrete jedi Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3142 Location: Rochester N.Y Age: 43 Posts: 2,569 06 Tacoma 4 door indigo blue 2006 Double Cab Manual V-6 4.0 liter Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.	I agree with Maverick491, the I-4 is the bomb when it comes to 4 cyl engines, you won't be passing anything but it will handle it fine. I would suggest a set of nice tires, good gas(higher octane), and the 5 speed, I think the auto would kill the deal. The 4 liter would do it very nicely, auto or 6 speed. Have fun and send pix.

12-15-2007, 06:03 PM	#4
Andy42 Junior Member Joined: Dec 2007, #3842 Location: Seattle Posts: 10	Maverick, that is one sweet towing tutorial! I'm learning a lot from that. What I am planning looks very feasible. Concrete, I sure would like an auto tranny but I find it's not available on the 4x4's with the I4 engine! Maybe it's asking too much of that engine to perform 4x4 duty with an auto tranny. I guess I can live with a manual. But it's not the only puzzling option limitation I'm finding with the I4, it seems cruise control is not available with that engine either. I'm planning on using this vehicle a long time (10 years) and gas is surely going to be costing a lot more in that time frame, so I really want to stick to the I4. Toyota seems to be pushing the V6 however! Good point about the wind resistance, BTW.

12-15-2007, 06:48 PM	#6
Andy42 Junior Member Joined: Dec 2007, #3842 Location: Seattle Posts: 10	WOW, you guys are awesome!

12-15-2007, 09:24 PM	#7
concrete jedi Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3142 Location: Rochester N.Y Age: 43 Posts: 2,569 06 Tacoma 4 door indigo blue 2006 Double Cab Manual V-6 4.0 liter Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.	I have a six and six and it pulls like a train, not to long ago I had bout 1000 lbs in the bed, got it up to 62mph, set the cruise, and never looked back. I felt pulling trailers was easier with manuals, a little more feel to it. But if your not going to pull everyday than the I-4 is the way to go. Learn to love the 5 speed.