4 cylinder towing ability

Hello Everyone and thx in advance for any replies.
My 2G base model 4wd manual transmission Taco apparently has a towing capacity of 3500lbs. I plan to tow a small rv trailer that will probably be 3100lbs loaded and I'm wondering what kind of performance I can expect pulling grades at high altitude? Does anyone have any direct experience with my scenario? I'm wondering if my 4 cylinder will be suffering with such a load. I don't mind having to pull grades slowly and use turnouts but I don't want to be a road hazard.
Thx for reading my post.

 

My thought is that's the upper limit. You'll be fine on stopping and swaying which generally poses the hazard- so long as you don't stall or stop on the grade.
It'll definitely be inconvenient and tedious when you're chugging along in third with the smell of clutch. Prove me wrong though, if anyone can it's you brother.

 

I'm definitely planning on adding a brake controller for the trailer and I'm not beyond using 4wd low for very steep grades even on pavement. I got clutch cancel start if I stall and an industrial strength come along winch if I'm desperate haha. I appreciate your feedback. Happy New Year!! I was thinking I might be chugging along in 2nd.

 

When there’s two variants of engine and one is smaller and what you get in a Honda fit, I’m usually not considering the latter for towing

 

lots of info here https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/towing.34/

It's gonna be a struggle in the mountains

 

I have owned a NuCamp 320S Tab Boondock for the past 3 1/2 years. I have towed it to Nova Scotia twice, the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and over to the highest point in West Virginia many times. I have the 2.7 5 speed 4WD. I do have a brake controller.
I’ve never felt the truck couldn’t handle it.
The Hilux with the same drivetrain is rated to tow 5200 lbs in places like Australia.
I was going to pull it out west last September, but motels were cheaper than paying for the extra gas.

 

I also believe that many (most) people commenting have never towed with a 2.7 manual transmission.

 

My regular cab 2.5G MT had no hitch.

My 3G SR just has a hitch I put on there for a bike carrier. No trailer writing.

 

I have towed about 2500 pounds with my 2.7 manual on a few occasions. I lived on relatively flat land in and around Omaha Nebraska and that was fine then...

I have not towed with it at higher altitude, but I suppose it would require higher rpms meaning stay in a lower gear.

 

New driveshaft ujoints then lay that mother down

 

The 2TR makes peak horsepower at 5200RPM. If you're OK using that part of the torque curve climbing hills, it should do OK. Keep an eye on the oil level during extended high load/RPM use. Otherwise have fun and let 'er eat. The 2TR is a tough engine and can take it.

 

I wouldn't tow 3000 lbs with that truck at altitude on a regular basis. If this is a one-time deal just to get somewhere I might go for it. But done on a regular basis it is going to wear your truck out prematurely.

You're pushing the limits at sea level with just a driver in the cab. If you have passengers and cargo in the truck you need to consider that weight too.

Most gas engines lose 3% of their power for every 1000' above sea level and the max amount you can tow should be reduced by the same 3%. It's generally not terribly noticeable until you get over 5000'. Above 5000' elevation and you'll struggle even on level roads. If you have to cross some 8,000-10,000' passes in the Rockies you're going to really be working and need to watch the temperature gauge closely.

 

Do you have an auxiliary transmission cooler?

 

I had a 2014 regular cab 4x4 with 2.7l automatic transmission and also had a 6x12 v-nose enclosed trailer weighing about 2,800# I made a 12 hour trip between New York and Wisconsin a few times and on I-90/80.

Let me tell you it was white knuckle too much for comfort. A 5speed transmission would ease the white knuckle only a little.

I also owned a 2018 f-150 2wd 2.7l eco boost crew cab. That truck with a 8x18 car trailer and 2017subarau outback loaded moving across the country California to Florida and then back to Texas was a “joy” to drive in comparison.

 

Manual transmissions do not have, nor need an auxiliary cooler.

 

Oops! Dumb question. Sorry.

 

I guess I’m just not use to towing with anything but the two 2.7’s I’ve owned. This photo is my truck and Tab at Spruce Knob WV at about 4200’. The roads to get there are anything but flat. Towing it to Canada, the Smokies or elsewhere I have never had any white knuckle moments.

 

What’s your loaded weight? That looks like a 1800# trailer that is aerodynamic.

Can you pass a semi at 75-80mph in that configuration without a 5 mile passing zone?

I am not trying to be rude it’s just at 159hp these trucks are not really equipped for modern highway performance at near maximum capacity.

 

Towing is about much more than horsepower (suspension, brakes, wheelbase, etc., all of which are the same on all 6 lug models).

And no one should be pulling a camper at 80 mph, whether you have a 2.7, 4.0, or 6.8 (although many do anyways, thinking their 500 ft-lbs will somehow help in an emergency stop).

 

Gross dry weight is 2082 pounds. Add battery and propane and 20 gallons of water to that. There isn’t much weight to bedding and clothing. I added a brake controller. My truck came with an OEM hitch and 4 pin wiring. I installed the seven pin and wiring. I also added Sumo Springs.
I never go more than 70 on the highway and usually travel at 65 mph. I have passed semis, even going uphill, when safe to do so. I’m 71, retired and in no rush. Personally when I see someone towing down the highway at 80 and up I have to question their sanity.