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Flat tow question

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by imagineer, Sep 29, 2022.

  1. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:38 AM
    #1
    imagineer

    imagineer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Who has experience using the Tacoma to flat tow a small car?

    I'm considering buying another project MG Midget that's 180 miles away and since I already have a tow bar set up for a Midget I'm thinking it might work out that I can just flat tow the Midget home.

    Note, I've not used the tow bar yet. I built it because my existing MG has proven to be somewhat unreliable and I needed a convenient means of pulling a dead car home the necessary 10-20 miles or so.

    The car I'm looking at has no motor and I'll take out the driveshaft before towing it home. Without the motor, the Midget weighs about 1300lbs.

    My concern is, is the Tacoma heavy enough to flat tow a car, at highway speed, without a risk of death wobble? I see folks with various sized motorhomes towing small cars and they seem to do just fine.
     
  2. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:42 AM
    #2
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My truck identifies as a Prius.

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    Oh look, another mod....

    You can tow it just fine; as long as you have the proper trailer hitch setup. Now, to stop the "death wobble" make sure the weight is balanced properly on the trailer. Put as much weight as possible towards the very front of the trailer; not the back. In most cases this means the car will go in nose first, because the engine is upfront and that's where a majority of the cars weight will be.

    Make sure you have tie-downs and safety chains on at all times and keep it in S4.
     
  3. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:48 AM
    #3
    imagineer

    imagineer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The car will be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. There should be no downward weight at all on the Tacoma trailer hitch.
     
    SR-71A likes this.
  4. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:48 AM
    #4
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Death wobble is entirely dependent on how the midget tows and how stable its front suspension is.

    Me personally? My preference in order of most desirable to least is A) trailer it, B) dolly, C) flat. No scientific reason, other than preference, familiarity, and to protect the thing I'm bringing home.
     
  5. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:49 AM
    #5
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My truck identifies as a Prius.

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    Oh look, another mod....

    Oh, I thought this would be on a trailer or even dolly'd. Just pulling it home isn't a wise idea.
     
  6. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:52 AM
    #6
    six5crèéd

    six5crèéd Be the light

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    Rent a tow dolly from U-Hual and bring it home. No sense in risking someone else's life, or your own.
     
    RustyGreen, Chew and skeletron like this.
  7. Sep 29, 2022 at 5:55 AM
    #7
    DingleTower

    DingleTower My truck is like yer truck

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    This is the answer.

    A Uhaul dolly for the afternoon will make it super easy and safe.
     
    Chew and six5crèéd[QUOTED] like this.
  8. Sep 29, 2022 at 6:00 AM
    #8
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Tow Dolly for sure. Where would you even hook up a car like that to be flat towed. You need a forward hitch to do it safely and properly.

    longest I’ve done is 3km and I nearly rear ended my dad, he didn’t warn me about no power brakes lol
     
    Chew likes this.
  9. Sep 29, 2022 at 6:11 AM
    #9
    balljoint

    balljoint Well-Known Member

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    I flat tow a 914 that weighs in around 2,200 lbs and I’ve been doing it with one Tacoma or another since 2005. The little car does disappear so I have to remind myself that it is there…. Zero problems. But my vehicle is running so I put the key in the ignition and turn it to on so that the front wheels don’t lock up. Tires and wheel bearings roadworthy is obviously important. Just don’t try to back it up.
    My 914 has a tow bracket installed on the front, bolted into the front suspension mounts and it is mated to an EMPI tow bar for a VW Bug. I use a set of magnetic tow lights mounted on the trunk as well as proper safety chains etc.





    D53002F7-352A-4C2A-8967-728F67BC317B.jpg
     
    Marley&Me, vicali and shakerhood like this.
  10. Sep 29, 2022 at 6:13 AM
    #10
    imagineer

    imagineer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    There are two OEM tow hooks bolted to the frame in the front. The tow bar I made is a rigid A-frame and engages these two hooks using the same type pin the hitch receiver uses.

    FWIW, I like the idea of renting a tow dolly if I can find one.
     
  11. Sep 29, 2022 at 7:10 AM
    #11
    2020TacomaGuy

    2020TacomaGuy Well-Known Member

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  12. Sep 29, 2022 at 7:23 AM
    #12
    wj3v

    wj3v Active Member

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    I just hauled an MGB and rented the Uhaul car carrier. This is the best way to go. You can have the car loaded and ready in 5 minutes. Drive up the ramps and straps over the front tires and ready to roll. No worries with this setup. Only cost $54 to rent all day.
     
    Chew likes this.
  13. Sep 29, 2022 at 8:15 AM
    #13
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    I have not flat towed with the Tacoma but have with various trucks. Zero problems when done correctly.
     
    CalcityRenegade likes this.
  14. Sep 29, 2022 at 8:31 AM
    #14
    CalcityRenegade

    CalcityRenegade Well-Known Member

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    Same here. Never an issue flat towing before. Although one time I did wonder why some clown was tailgating me for so long! :homer:
     
    hiPSI[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Sep 29, 2022 at 8:35 AM
    #15
    MaverickT883

    MaverickT883 Paintless

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    Check build thread!
    Just throw it on a Uhaul car trailer, or do what I did and just invest in one if you’re the type to be buying and selling cars often. Taco hauls it no problem.

    05CC9F64-BA60-409E-A0D5-64675ADF433E.jpg
     
  16. Sep 29, 2022 at 8:36 AM
    #16
    prefersdirt

    prefersdirt Well-Known Member

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    For getting the trailer, be sure to look at taking it with you so you return where you got it. Often is cheaper than picking up one place and dropping another.
     
  17. Sep 29, 2022 at 9:13 AM
    #17
    OldMattB

    OldMattB Active Member

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    Check your state law about supplemental brake requirements for towing.
     
  18. Sep 29, 2022 at 10:12 AM
    #18
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

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    If you've got a towbar that fits the midget, make sure you've got some magnet lights, and that the wheels and tires on the project are in good shape.
    Take it easy and stop and check things out. A ton of projects come home this way. Enjoy.
     

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