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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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-gen-tacomas/2736-diy-oem-cruise-control-install.html

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

 

WOW, you guys are awesome!

 

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.

 

I pull a pop-up camper. #2200 dry. It pulls it 70 MPH, in 5th gear, into a 15 MPH crosswind. I don't see why people find it necessary to have a V6 to tow. It accelerates no problem. I upshift at 4000 RPM, and it takes less than 20 seconds to 70 MPH. I'm sure I'd need 4th gear into a strong wind, and I use 3rd for passing quickly. My previous truck was a Dakota with the 230 horse V8 BTW.

 

I will be hauling a 3000# boat / trailer...but short distances. I will be installing a brake mod as the trailer has brakes....but....should I install an oil cooler on this? Good ol' 2.7 4x4 5 speed.

 

Yeah for the motor. I hear a lot of good things about the 2.7 engine and it has been great so far for the 5 months I have had it...but a buddy of mine is a mechanic and he thought it might be a good idea.

 

Also, where would I get additional spring mods put in as well as an oil cooler...? Is there anyplace special for the springs. I will probably be able to do the cooler myself.

 

I have a 96 Taco with the 2.7 and all i tow with it is a sled trailor and the sled maybe about 1000-1200#. awsome Truck to have

 

I use my strait 4 tacoma every day to tow a 4000lbs lawnservice trailer, so you should have no problem with 3000lbs if you get a stick. I did test drive the auto before I got mine, and that truck was a dawg, but the 5 speed seems to work very well with the 4banger