Towing - 2.7 vs 4.0

I currently have a 2005 4x4 tacoma 6 speed. I'm thinking of purchasing a 2008 rwd 2.7 I'm towing about 2500 lbs, maybe a little more sometimes. I'm doing a trip down the Oregon coast and to california this summer.
I know the smaller engine would be working harder. Will the fuel economy become comparable or will I still be getting better mileage with the 2.7? Oh, and the 2.7 is automatic. :/
I drive a lot and have another Mazda 3 that is great on gas. I can't afford two vehicles and that is why I was looking at the 2.7, so I could sell the car and the 6 speed.

 

IMO, and it is only an opinion, I would keep the 2005. Never know when you will need the 4x4 and the extra power (towing more). I highly doubt (no science behind it though) that the mpg will be any better while towing. Like you said, the 2.7 will be working harder.

 

I had a 2.7 4x2 MT for about 9 years prior to getting my 4.0 4x4 AT a couple years ago, both 2nd gens. I'd say the 2.7 worked really hard on any sort of hills. I was constantly shifting down to 4th and RPMs were very high causing a serious loss of MPGs (if you're trying to go 70-75 MPH the MPG was terrible). In fact my dad's Subaru Forrester XT pulled our 6x10 box trailer (fully loaded) much better than my old taco did. I can't give you a true comparison as I have an ARB bumper with a winch on my 4x4 and bigger tires. Although I can say just tapping the AT into 4 when encountering any hills was a lot nicer than constantly shifting with my MT.

 

I have a 4cyl. 4x4 and it lags a lot when i load my bed. If u can bare with having to shift at a higher RPM go for it. The 6 cylinder will definitely provide a lot more power for towing large things n u dont gain a whole lot MPGs. I dont tow anything so thats my reason why i went for the 4banger 5spd. U should test drive one of the 4cylinders tacos n see how h like it. There's a significant lag compared to the 4.0s. If youre in NorCal i can let u test mines out if u want. Preferably on the weekend. LMK

 

2500 lbs is more than capable with the 2.7. Do some modifications to the truck and the towing capability becomes much better. I added a LCE header which helped a heap. Run the stock tire size and don't added a lift. When I tow my 3500lbs TT of flat highway @ 70 I generally see 16mpg. Most of the 4.0s are anywhere between 10-13. Many comment that the 2.7 will slow down on longer hills. Most trucks pulling a trailer slows down on hills. On the longest step hills I will loose about 10mph. The 2.7 is an exceptionally strong motor and you won't kill it by making it work.

 

The 2.7 will suck donkey balls. Add in the auto and a trailer and it's sucking the whole donkey. 2500 is within the 2.7 specs, that doesn't mean it's pleasant. When I was towing a lot I could use my f150 with 5.4 and I could use a 3/4 ton duramax. The camper was well within f150 specs and short trips it didn't matter. The engine worked obviously harder, the mpg dropped significantly. Exact same load behind the dmax, engine putted along, mpg was only mildly affected. On long trips the f150 sucked, plain and simple. It doesn't matter that the load was I range, the bigger truck made the entire trip better. Driving with barely adequate doesn't make for a fun trip.

Stay with stock tire size etc and stay at sea level and it will suck less but that's like saying you're still getting punched,just not as hard.

Different line of thought here. I'm assuming you're paying on 2 vehicles since you say you can't afford 2. When you're making payments, buyING a 3rd and making payments on it negate pretty much any savings on gas you might see. You'll see a better effect on your pocket if you dump everything that needs a payment and cash for something even if the mpg isnt stellar. It might cost an extra $5 at the pump but it can save you substantially every month.

My wife's car we bought from a lady who was selling her 21mpg bmw to buy a new prius to save on gas. Running the numbers she needs to drive 14k miles every year for 50 years to break even. Odds are she will own it less than 5, so she needs to drive 14k a year in those 5 years to break even. She would be money ahead buying something for $5k that gets 1mpg over the prius. Buying for savings is generally pretty dumb.

 

2.7 automatic owner here. It'll do it just fine but don't expect to go fast. If you're happy with 55-65mph and regular downshifts to second (which sounds bad but just gets the engine up in the 4,000-4,500rpm range it likes) on the hills, you'll have no issues. I would have a transmission cooler installed and keep it out of overdrive.

On the other hand, the 4.0 will make life easier. Mileage won't be different enough to matter. You could sell the Mazda And pay for a lot of gas in the 6.

 

Just don't know how to respond to that.

My 2.7 with auto pulls my 3500lbs TT just fine. The OP is only towing 2500 lbs which is really a light weight trailer. He'll do just fine.

 

I think the biggest variance in mileage is if it is a 4x4 or rwd. Generally the mileage is about the same for either the 4 or 6 cyl. That being said as Indy pointed out the cost benefit for fuel will take a LONG time...
If you drive a lot may be better to keep the Mazda & rent when you have to tow... if that is a possibility...