2.7L for towing 1500-2000 lbs

Yeah, I'm not saying it's wise to tow that much with a Tacoma - especially on a public road, but GVWR isn't some kind of law and it's not entirely about safety, either. Honestly, it's probably a whole lot more about being a limit the manufacturer believes won't damage the vehicle than safety, anyway, as a whole lot of weight can be moved in some limited situations while even 1 or 2 thousand pounds could be unsafe in others. It's mostly about the stress you're putting on the truck, and Rainman is willing to put a lot more stress on his Tacoma than most of us.

Of course, I don't think anyone has asked him if he's towing on public roads or at what speeds. In all honesty, if he's towing on public roads at highway speeds, I hope I'm nowhere near him - legal or not.

 

Wow that’s impressive. Gives me some great ideas. Thanks for posting.

 

They probably calculated that non-aux cooled trans can take X amount of over-heat cycles and figured the average Tacoma owner doesn’t tow often enough, thus likely putting failure point at a mileage high enough to be considered “normal”. But nothings saying they didn’t log the standard trans cooler data and decided it was adequate enough for its tow rating either.

Are there reports of trans temps between the two set ups? I’ve pulled and hauled a few 2500-3500lb loads with my 2.7 6AT and the trans has been acting abit funky since but I’m not sure if it’s just the standard taco trans problems or if mine is falling apart. I try not to worry too much.

 

as much as people and even owners talk shit about the 2.7 I firmly believe there’s still a market out there for them no matter how you put it. Yeah they sell for less because you paid less upfront.

I know my dad and a few other people would choose the 2.7 hands down simply for lower operating costs and presumably better efficiency.

 

Higher rpm = more wear = an engine that gets tired sooner.





=

 

Whether he's towing 11k lbs anywhere with a tacoma, imo it amounts to plain stupidity.

 

Yeah, it's a whole lot for a Tacoma. I traded in an Ecoboost powered F-150 with a 12,100 pound tow rating for the Tacoma. I occasionally pulled a 9,000 pound camper with it and, while the truck was more than capable of doing it, there were times it was very much a tail wagging the dog type situation due to how much heavier the trailer was than the tow vehicle. We use an older F-250 to pull it now. That truck is much less capable on paper with its gas powered 5.4 liter engine, but its extra weight makes for a much more comfortable towing experience overall even if it does take a lot longer to get up to speed.

 

Yeah probably why these POS 2.7L engines typically only get 250k- 400k and higher miles of life that earn the reputation of being highly reliable.
There are so many factors affecting reliability that you aren’t even considering.

 

I can't speak to the validity of the statement, but I once had an engineer friend tell me that engines are generally designed to run at 80% capacity 80% of the time.

 

some people will use/abuse their truck, most will baby it and think you need $10k in parts to not baby it

 

Yup.

I can see doing it once, moving a piece of equipment a short way down the road or something and taking precautions.

But to do it regularly, and with such a cavalier attitude.... I've met plenty of clowns like that, and the story always plays out the same way. I don't have any tolerance for people like that.

 

I have now gone down the wormhole of if it is illegal to tow something where your vehicle gvwr is exceeded because of a heavy tongue weight. Very muddy waters! Interesting learning, however. It appears that in Canada, anything over 10000 lbs requires a special endorsement on your license, amongst a myriad of other possible implications. Learning all the time!

 

OK, I have read the entire thread.
When you say 11,000 are you quoting the gross - truck and trailer? Or an actual 11,000 trailer?
What exactly are you towing please?

 

usually a boat or another trailer if youre curious. boat+trailer is about 10K, other trailer and its load can definitely go up to 11K though

 

A Tacoma would not be my first choice for those jobs.

 

wait 'til the weekend keyboard warriors hear im on stock tires and suspension

 

Is that "Big Island" a reference to HI?

 

We tow snowmobile trailers up north. Sometimes you encounter driving in snowstorms with highways sections of black ice. If your towing anywhere 1/2 what these trucks are rated for your in deep chit if hitting that stuff....you want to discuss the trail wagging the dog, you got it with this.

 

I'll agree with regular maintenance and normal driving habits you'll get that kind of mileage from those 2.7 I4 motor. Its the guy that keeps them wound up over 3k much of their life that won't. This was explained to me by a gm engineer many years ago...just the law of physics....valve train and piston components will just wear out. Theres a reason circle track engines are freshened up every 500 miles and, fully rebuilt every season.

 

Yes it will tow your boat fine. Under any circumstance the 2.7 is not a blazing performer but I towed that same sort of weight with a 5 speed a lot sold the truck at around 300K.