Can New 4x4 Flat Tow Behind Motorhome?

Greetings from Lake Conroe, Texas! My wife and I are the proud second owners of a 40 foot 1997 American Eagle motorhome which we purchased almost two years ago. This summer we spent three weeks in Colorado and while there we were wishing we had a 4 wheel drive vehicle in order to enjoy the scenic off-road trails and dirt roads. We saw a ton of Jeeps being flat towed behind RVs up there and after returning home I test drove a new 4 door wrangler yet was unimpressed as whatever I buy will also have to be my daily driver vehicle. I would appreciate any information regarding whether or not a new automatic transmission 4x4 Tacoma could be modified and flat towed. I can not trailer one as my tow capacity is only 5000 pounds. THANK YOU, Jeff. P.S. Do you or any of your friends ever run any Colorado scenic back roads?

 

Not easily.
You would have to pull both the front and rear driveshafts.
The transmission will be spinning dry without the engine running.

You would not be legal flat-towing in many states as the Tacoma is over 3500 and you would have no "trailer" brakes.

You're saying that a 40ft motorhome only has a 5000lb towing capacity? There HAS to be an upgrade for that.

 

I know pulling the rear driveshaft isn't that bad 10min to get it out. If that even...

Not sure about the front never done it

 

Why would you need to pull the front drive shaft? It will not turn unless the truck is put into 4wd, or am I missing something?

Shawn.

 

Ya what they said ^

 

Why pull either shaft.. There are drive line disconnects available just for such instances..

The disconnects should be installed in both drive shafts. This saves wear and tear on the T-Case.

 

http://www.remcotowing.com/vehicles

if you search for the Tacoma they say it "May allow" vehicle to be flat towed with the drive shaft coupling.

The kits I have seen are pretty much universal fit.. any good machinist should be able to cut the shaft and install a coupling. It won't be cheap.. but it can be done if some one is set on flat towing..

 

Remove the rear drive shaft don't flat tow any automatic at all unless it has a transfer case with a neutral. No need to remove the front it's just the same as normal driving would be.

 

Welcome Jeff. I'm your neighbor (kinda) from the south, I have no experience with what you are wanting but I do have quite a few pics of me wheeling in Colorado, enjoy the site.

 

THANK YOU all for your input! I have checked out the link to the rear drive shaft disconnect coupler - sounds like what I would need. I just wonder if I would need one for the front drive shaft also...

Cody your pics are awesome! Especially those in Colorado! No doubt the Tacoma can go most anywhere up there I would dare to go. THANKS AGAIN!

 

Most of the newer T-Cases use a driven pump for lubrication.. Depending on what drives the pump in Toyota's T-case you may need one.. best to consult the manual (Mine is out in my truck) they will usually tell you if it can be towed with the front axle on the ground or not.

 

From Toyota, "Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground) behind a motor home." Foot note from Toyota "to avoid serious damage to your vehicle do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on the ground. This is from a 548 page booklet with over 50% of it telling you what not to do. Contact Toyota and ask them about removing the rear drive shaft.

 

You'r right it may in several thousand miles or so. Again you want to be safe take the drive shaft out.

 

Don't they make mini-trailers that you put the front wheels on? Get one of those and disconnect the rear drive shaft.