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Towing a T100 behind my Tacoma??

Discussion in 'Towing' started by nut, Jan 5, 2013.

  1. Jan 6, 2013 at 8:53 AM
    #21
    wolftree

    wolftree Well-Known Member

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    nut,

    Rig up separate rear lights (not the T-100s) using a 30' long trailer wiring harness and two rear lamps. It will plug right into your Tacoma plug.

    I bought a magnetic mount that I can remove or install quickly. It has the rear lights and harness already put together. It is similar to what a tow company sticks on when they tow in a vehicle.
     
  2. Jan 6, 2013 at 9:23 AM
    #22
    nut

    nut [OP] she'll ride

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    Ive seen those at walmart and harbor freight. reviews on the magnets havent been very good. Im sure i could work something out
     
  3. Jan 6, 2013 at 9:36 AM
    #23
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Like other have suggested I would prefer having the vehicle on a trailer with at least brakes on one trailer axle. I know you plan on driving smart but what about the idiot thats not paying attention pulls out or something and you need to stop in a hurry. Even a tow dolly with brakes would help. I just like a trailer because drive the vehicle on it secure it and be gone. No removing anything. just my .02
     
  4. Jan 6, 2013 at 9:58 AM
    #24
    hetkind

    hetkind Well-Known Member

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    I made a light bar when I needed it...a piece of 1/4" x6" x6' steel plate, trailer light kit from TSC,and the trailer light kit had the two lights and a enough wire to make a harness to the trailer socket. The kit even included the flat four plug:). Some change and "S" hooks to hang off the tailgate or bumper and you got a light bar.

    Think long and hard on how you plan to connect the tow bar to the vehicle being towed. This needs to be a structural connection with the ability to pivot up and down in a parallel fashion, and absorb both the towing load AND braking load without excessive play.

    That is why I custom made a plate at attached to 60's era dodge truck bumpers using the bumper mount bolts. I had probably 20 hours of welding and machining time into the attachment plate. Don't forget safety chains.
     
  5. Jan 6, 2013 at 10:43 AM
    #25
    nut

    nut [OP] she'll ride

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    Sweet, thanks for the info. Yeah I found a couple good bars on CL for under $100 ($500+ when new). Nearest TSC is a ways away, I'll look into kits and see what I can rig up. I'm not hauling the truck till the end of march so I have some time to get all this situated.
     
  6. Jan 6, 2013 at 10:44 AM
    #26
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    2nd driver.
    The T100 is a lot to tow behind the Tacoma... possibly over 6500 depending on the trailer/dolly.
    Your gas mileage is going to suck... might actually use less gas driving both trucks.
     
  7. Jan 6, 2013 at 11:40 AM
    #27
    hetkind

    hetkind Well-Known Member

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    the trailer light kits are also available from Harbor Freight, Northern Tool or probably your local auto parts store. If you are near the shore, get the ones designed for boat trailers since they will be waterproof.
     
  8. Jan 7, 2013 at 7:48 AM
    #28
    nut

    nut [OP] she'll ride

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    I think it is (well) under the 6500 lbs if I just attach the tow bar. Ive seen tacos on here pulling car haulers with quad cab 2nd gens on them and they dont seem to have a problem, granted they have brakes most likely, but way more weight i believe.


    Just did a search, my tacoma appears to be 4300 pounds at the curb, the t100 just shy of 3500 (probably over that with my tires, but an empty tank of gas will help). Im guess I wont see over 13mpg on the highway, anything over 10 and I'll be happy
     
  9. Jan 7, 2013 at 7:04 PM
    #29
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    If it's an automatic, don't forget to pull the driveshaft and plug the tranny tailshaft.
    Flat-towing in neutral will kill the Toyota trans.
     
  10. Jan 7, 2013 at 7:31 PM
    #30
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Rich you seem to be knowledgable in this area. I have always wondered why towing a Tacoma flat or with the rearend turning and the tranning in neutral is a problem. Obviously there is a reason I have heard others say it before just always wondered. Sorry to get off topic op.
     
  11. Jan 7, 2013 at 7:38 PM
    #31
    Strautins

    Strautins Well-Known Member

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    Why is that specifically bad on an auto but not a manual?
     
  12. Jan 7, 2013 at 7:41 PM
    #32
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    3500 lb trailer without brakes will be potentially unsafe and illegal in some of the states you are driving through. The mountains won't be an issue, because you can use engine braking. Sudden stops for road debris, people cutting you off, etc. will be very difficult.
     
  13. Jan 7, 2013 at 7:51 PM
    #33
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Out of curiosity, since the T100 has a stick-shift transfer case, why can't the truck be flat towed as-is with the transfer case in N?
     
  14. Jan 7, 2013 at 8:38 PM
    #34
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Manual transfer case should be okay as they are usually splash-lubed (I'd verify with a Toyota tech to be sure)


    To the above questions, manual trans are splash-lubed just like the diff. There is no pump. If any of the shafts are spinning, lube is getting where it needs to go.

    On autos, the fluid is primarily a hydraulic fluid to operate the clutches, but it is also the only lubrication that the rotating assembly gets.
    The fluid is circulated by the pump, which is driven by the input shaft. They are not splash-lubed... that would cause aeration of the fluid and it would not work in the high pressure circuits.

    Put the trans in neutral and coast downhill with the engine off or at idle and you're spinning your trans either without, or with insufficient lubrication.

    SOME autos can be safely flat-towed in neutral, but not Toyotas.
     
  15. Jan 7, 2013 at 8:51 PM
    #35
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Answered my own question after some digging:
    http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-truck-4runner/775780-toyota-bible-faq-2-0-a.html

     
  16. Jan 7, 2013 at 10:50 PM
    #36
    TACORIDER

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    Tow bar, but read the manual for proper towing and what gear it needs to be in. Also just be sure to the vehicles hitch that will be towing it about an inch higher then the towbar, incase of heavy braking it wont roll over the bar and rearend yourself. Pulling the driveshafts would make it easy so you dont starve the tranny of fluid and less for something to go wrong with that long a tow, or puT the t case in N. Also be sure and get the tow lights and put on the bumper of your T100 as im guessing it isnt wired in the front for being towed
     
  17. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:18 PM
    #37
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    thanks makes perfect sense.
     

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