Would a 4 cylinder struggle with this trailer?

It will not be a blazing performer with the 2.7 but is capable. My former Tacoma's were 2.7 both had over 300+ K on them when I sold them. I had a favorite camp site in VT and went to the Mt Equinox vintage hill climbs for years I lived on the Maine side of the white mountains that's a good strong climb up past Mt Washington. Yep your right arm will get a little tired but it will pull a small camper just fine.

 

I own a 4cyl/auto 2nd gen Taco. I will be the 1st to tell you that there is no better MPG to be gained with the 2.7, the smaller engine works harder to keep the truck moving. I didn't see myself using the Taco like a big truck, so I thought that the 4 banger would be enough, I was wrong. I have a 5x10 utility trailer, the truck works hard just to move the trailer empty. The few times that i used the taco to pull the trailer loaded with firewood, it was kind of pitiful. Level ground wasn't so bad, the slightest hill would have the trans dropping into 2nd gear with the tach high into the redzone just to maintain 30 mph. The 4 banger is ok for daily commuting, hauling an occasional load of crap from the home center.

I'm sure that a 4cyl Taco would pull the teardrop trailer, it just won't do it quickly and it will have to work much harder to do the job compared to the same truck with the 4.0 Just get the V6 and never look back.

 

I never thought I'd say this, but the Tacoma V6 would be the superior towing choice.

 

I tow my pop up no problem with my 4 banger. Don't expect to win drag races with a trailer, be reasonable and it'll treat you right.

 

Jeebus, you’re not fooling anyone. Just sounds like you are trying to convince yourself first and foremost. I DID own the 2.7L in a Taco, but thankfully it was a smaller 1st gen. A-cab stick shift 4x4. And I did love that truck! It was fine to “haul” my surfboards and crawling around in low range. In the dunes, it SUCKED! Because guess what? No power :/
On the highway? Barely okay if flat. But the west coast ain’t flat :/
Towing a small dump trailer? Oh my goodness, MISERABLE! Unless you like getting passed by semi trucks while redlining it up a small hill topping out at 30mph! Learning how to drive it?! Pa! You can’t put your foot down further than to the floor, Lightning McQueen!
Gas mileage also wasn’t great because that little motor had to work so hard; I can only imagine how much worse it would be pushing a way heavier 3rd gen. At least it gives you time to ponder all your life’s poor choices while you wait to get up to speed.
You came into a thread of some guy asking what would be better for him. Guess what, it’s NOT the I4. You’d probably be happier with the V6 too, but you’ll never admit it

 

You sure do type a lot.

 

Put as drop hitch tow bar on it and will tow even better. Had one pretty much the same I towed all over the north country with a 2.7.

 

I used to own a 98 2.7 regular cab with a manual and 3.7 gears. My 15 has the stock 4.1 gears and does a better job. I have never towed with the 4.0, but my brother has the 4 door sport and I have driven that. I believe Toyota should have never sold the 2.7 with an auto transmission.
I tow both my Tab and a 6x10 cargo trailer from central Virginia to Spruce Knob WV, around 4500’ on a regular basis. If anyone is familiar with Rt. 33 from Virginia to Spruce Knob you know it is quite steep and lots of switchbacks.
I have never had an issue pulling up the hills. Would a 6 cylinder do better? How fast do you really want to go pulling any trailer? When I see people ripping down the interstate at 80 with a trailer in tow I have to wonder about their sanity.
I am likely older than most of you (approaching 70) so perhaps I just have a different look on things.

 

I sold my PreRunner for 3 reasons.

Open differential
2.7L
I bought a utility trailer.

To be honest, the 4.0 has been “weak” at times. But it got the job done. Sometimes, I wish I had gotten a Tundra. But the Tacoma is so easy to maneuver in the woods.

 

Both the 4L and the 2.7 like to spin that's where their power band is.

Pulled campers, trailers thru Crawford Notch dozens of times, yeah your in the truck lane with the 2.7 once in awhile I could pass a couple with the 4L but generally not. I hear you I'm 77 I joined the million mile club quite awhile ago the last job I had my daily commute was 100 miles a day did that for 15 years.

 

The third gen 2.7L automatic has a 4.30 differential and that helps a lot.

 

I do that drive often (LA to Mammoth) and it was painful in my 2021 4-cylinder 4x4, so much so that I got rid of it. The 4-cylinder is fine around town and near sea level but once you get into decent elevation it's really gutless. That grade on the 395 near Mammoth would be foot to the floor trying to keep up with semis haha.

 

I've towed similar weight. I'm not gonna argue over the six vs four as I don't have the six. I will say the four is capable but neither is perfect.