Towing 4 down with AT

I am getting ready to set my 2016 Tacoma 4x4 with auto transmission up with a tow bar. I will be towing it behind my RV. I will be having a new driveline made with a driveline disconnect in it. My main question is how will I keep my steering wheel from locking while under way? Hopefully this is not a really dumb question. Or maybe I hope it is! Dumb questions are answered easily and quickly. Lol

 

When I towed my Jeep 4 down, I would put the key in and turn it one click to unlock the steering wheel. Then I use the other key to lock the doors. I didn't see any other way to do it.

 

Be sure to have a charge line installed from the RV to the Tacoma to prevent battery discharge when key is on to keep steering wheel unlocked.

 

Now, I'm not saying that I'm an expert, but it does say this in the manual:



Anyone know why?

 

Like many things in life; success is dependent on the amount of lubrication...

 

That's why op is going to make a driveline disconnect

 

Ah, I get it. Thanks!

 

If he has the smart key the electronics will only stay on a max of 18 minutes after he pushes the button 1x to unlock the steering. So it may not work unless its a standard

 

Ok yes the driveline disconnect will enable the towing 4 down. Thanks for the manual pic post though. I hope someone has a idea about the steering keeping the steering wheel unlocked. I might have to dig into the colum deep and dismantle the steering wheel lock completely if there is no other way. I really really really do not want to do that. But I am going to tow this thing 4 down! Thanks everyone for your thoughts so far!

 

You will have better luck on the RV forums. Most of the members here have no idea what they're talking about. Have you seen the amount of threads about just motor oil, asking about "which tire to buy" and other BS. Don't get me wrong, I'm in that group too.

What you won't find here are professionals who can afford 100-300k motorhomes and have went through the process of getting their advanced vehicles to be flat towed the correct way.


Need advice on OME suspension or how to sync your phones Bluetooth to the entune system then you've found the right place.

 

Thank you but I'm looking for ideas on how to leave my steering unlocked. I know a lot of guys on here with third gen's pride themselves on knowing how to use all the bells and whistles and all the tricks with ignition button etc. I can't afford $100,000 motorhome either I will be towing with a flatbed at 550 and camper. I have tried RV forums they all say get a different vehicle to tow. I'm going to tow my Tacoma and I feel if it's possible to leave the steering unlocked someone on here knows how to do it. Thanks for the advice though

 

Just a thought.... How about releasing the steering wheel with the "one push" of the start button... then disconnect the battery..??

Like I said.. Just a thought..

 

That is a great idea I'm out of town but will post once I try it. Thanks

 

Ok my buddy did it! Apparently the steering lock is bolted to the column with bolts that are tightened until they brake off so they can't be removed by a thief. He tapped with a small sharp punch in the direction to loosen them he kept doing this witch sucked and took a long time until the bolts were out far enough to file a flat grove and use a screw driver to back it the rest of the way out. He then wraped it in bubble wrap and zip tied it under the dash. The lock pin is still going in and out when I start it and shut it down. He can reinstall it down the road if needed. Don't know if anyone else will ever have a need to do this but my buddy warned me it could have turned in to a tow truck taking the truck to the dealer if the anti theft would have triggered. But he pulled it off! I'm so pumped it's going to be awesome towing my truck with me camping 4 wheels down and a 5 minute hookup and unhook! No extra fee for a car trailer. I will post a pick once the driveline disconnect and tow bar are installed! Thanks everyone for your ideas!

 

My parents sold-up and went RVing years ago. They had a van they really liked but it wouldn't flat tow. A trans-pump with install was going to be around $1k. They decided to "buy a different vehicle" with all the related costs, taxes, depreciation. They kept it about a year but they couldn't stand it and traded it in on a another new vehicle with all the related costs, taxes, depreciation. They like the 2nd vehicle well enough, but they would have been so much ahead if they had just done the conversion.

So, what I'm saying is that I believe you are doing the right thing based on my observation of a similar situation.

[Upside: we got the van from them for a good price and it still serves us well.]

 

Done! Love it! 4k logged no problems! I may hit something and rip the shifter piece off the diff. If I do I can crawl under and slide the disconnect by hand. Disconnecting it with the pull lever inside the cab is more convenient. We will see!
I ordered it from the place below and my local mechanic installed it.

http://www.swdriveline.com

 

These I do not trust... Have seen them fail. I flat tow my crawler from time to time i just pull the drive lines. Takes a few minutes of time but the peace of mind is well worth the trouble.

 

I would sure like to get in touch with 999crazy. I sent him a message but no response> I am wanting to buy a 16 Tacoma to tow behind our MH but fear there may be problems with the steering wheel lock and the electronics. WE towed a 2005 Tacoma behind our MH and it was the best toad I ever had! No modifications other than the driveshaft disconnect. Put the tranny in park and the keys in my pocket.

 

Sorry my email wasn't notifying me haven't been here for a long time. I replyed

Around 10k miles logged everything is good. I always put my truck in forward and reverse after disconnect has been pulled. It's never not worked but it makes me feel better. Lol

 

999crazy, thanks much for the followup. Like you, I am going to flat tow my Taco. Already planned to do the driveline disconnect from SW Driveline, but had the same questions regarding the steering wheel lock with the push button start. Could you take some pics of the locking pins/bolts and post them? Does removal leave the steering wheel unlocked all the time? What baseplate did you end up with? Blue Ox shows a baseplate for the '16, but although it should be a direct carryover to the '17 taco, they don't show it fitting (yet). Any additional info or tips would be very helpful.