2.7L for towing 1500-2000 lbs

I’ll be towing a small aluminum boat. (1500-2000lbs all included)

will I regret not going with a V6?

id love to save the extra money.

a DCSB 2.7L SR is about $28.5k

a DCSB 3.5L SR5 is about 34.5k

I’m a buy cars with cash kinda guy so $6k would be great to save. But if y’all think I really need it, please fill me in

 

It would really depend on what else you were carrying and the tongue weight of your boat and trailer: Towing capacity - Trailer Weight - Tongue weight. With the I4 you are starting at 3,500 lbs as opposed to the 6,400 -6,800 lbs with the V6, depending on configuration. Assuming your tongue weight is 10% of your trailer weight, 3500 - 2000 - 200, that leaves 1,300 lbs for passengers and stuff (assuming the I4 has that kind of payload rating, which I couldn't find). Depending on payload your I4 could do it but would certainly feel it, and I'm not sure how well it would do going up steep grades and such. That said, that engine is bullet proof and you can't get a more reliable drivetrain. I've read posts from people who tow smaller loads like yours with the I4 and haven't had a problem. I'm sure someone who knows more will correct me if my logic is incorrect.

 

It should tow that fine on fairly flat roads if you are not in a hurry. The 2.7 is no speed demon even without a trailer behind it.

In a mountainous area I would definitely get the V6. Even if you weren't towing anything.

 

I have had a 1999 2.4 Tacoma and a 2.5 Suzuki Equator (Nissan built clone). I have pulled different things up to 3500 lbs. With Honda Aquatrax ski small hills are bearable. On very steep hills on the interstate you will not be passing too many big trucks. With 3500 lbs diesels will be passing you on the interstate. Keep in mind that even though a V6 will cost more it will also have a higher resale value.

 

Manual or auto transmission? While I am a manual trans guy I feel the auto trans will let the engine work easier.

 

I don't think I've met anyone who's ever regretted buying a vehicle that had more power.

I can't tell you how many people I know who have regretted buying one with less power.

If you're planning to tow regularly and mod your truck meaning larger tires armor gear anything that could potentially add weight I would not hesitate on buying the six cylinder.

If this is just for a rare occasion once every month or so trip to the lake nearby and you plan on leaving your truck bone stock you'd probably be okay with the four-cylinder.

If you're going to be towing every weekend, hauling using your trucks for projects off-roading modding or anything of the lake I would definitely get the 6 cylinder or you'll be spending that 6K you saved in buying things like gears and forced induction.

 

If you keep it at 2000 lbs as stated, and tow on flat or modest hills, you'll be fine.

Heavier, cross country, steep grades, you'll want the 6.

 

I know lots of people who have the 4 cyl. and are perfectly content with it. I purchased a 2016 new with the 4 and manual trans and doing a little mountain traveling once a month I found it to be lacking in power. I disliked it enough to trade it for a 2020 with the 6 cyl. and manual trans. I like the 6 much better. If the 4 had 200-225 HP it would probably be adequate. IMO 159 HP is not enough for a 4,000 lb. + vehicle.

But I'm old...

 

My 2 cents:

For a few dollars more I'd go V6. What happens when a buddy offers a bigger boat for a trip, or a camper for
a trip, or you need to haul half a yard of dirt, or load up a bunch of concrete blocks, or need to load up some
lumber. Or some hot babe needs help with moving some stuff. ... It's gonna happen.

Other side is resale down the road - that V6 is gonna sell a lot faster than the 2.7 - bonus if the V6 is 4WD even
if you don't need it, someone else would pay for it on resale.

 

Yeah... Alright... I'm sold... Get the V6.

 

If I tow 11,000lbs in the V6, I'm sure you'll be fine with 2k on the V4. Oh and even the V6 is plenty slow loaded/unloaded. I'd just Save your cash..

 

Hard to take a guy seriously that calls an inline 4 a V4... But what do I know?

 

Just offering my 2cents since you asked for it dude. I'm not a car guy by any means to know the difference. Ya know what, spend the cash, the V6 is worth it

 

If you're not a "car guy" maybe... Don't give car advice? lol..

 

Just telling you my experience with my taco but alright, dick. Have fun on your dinghy!♂️

 

Did I read that right? You tow 11,000 lbs with a Tacoma?

 

I’d argue that the 2.7 with a 6spd auto is going to be just fine as long as you keep it stock with stock tires etc. I towed a 6x12 enclosed trailer weighing 3000lbs with my 2014 for 6,000 miles (the truck only had 19,000 when I sold it) and the truck did just fine. I wish the I4 had the 6 speed when in 2014 instead of the 4spd but what do you do?

The truck could still pass slower traffic on the high way just that the engine would use higher RPM and more fuel.

I would say really think about how many times you will tow vs how many mile you will not. Cost is still a consideration $6000 is 17% of the vehicle cost. Might really take some time and consider the cost jump. If you tow more than 20% of the miles it should be worth buying the v6 otherwise save the money. IMHO

 

Yup! Pretty regularly. stock suspension so when I tow, it turns into a poor man's level kit

 

Thats a great breakdown. Thank you sir. I'm definitely leaning towards the V6, but I'm going to continue to weigh the options.

 

Another thing to consider is that Toyota no longer has an auxiliary transmission cooler on their V6 engines yet all V6 have tow packages… not a huge thing but people who tow like to know their equipment will keep cool in an operating range so the difference between the I4 and the v6 is really nothing when it comes to transmission coolers and how much more duty cycle the transmission can handle.