Tacoma Tow Bar and Brackets

Has anyone installed tow bar brackets on their Tacoma to tow behind an RV? I have looked around, and have found the one's below. I am new to the RV world, and am looking for anyone with experience in towing their Tacoma behind an RV. These brackets seem good because they are almost not noticeable when the couplers are removed. I also have found the tow bar below. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tow Brackets

Tow Bar

 

No one out there has an RV they use that they tow their Tacoma behind?

 

Don't know anything about this but just don't ever do this to your taco.

I am sure someone has just bump back for the weekend.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vZFCHk1XCDY

 

Tacomas cant be dingy towed behind an RV like what youre wanting to do. Check your owners manual or see a toyota dealer fir further info.......

 

Disconnect the drive lines and i am sure you could do what ever you want.

Look into the hidden winch mount for the front with the D-ring holders. I bet you could use that to do what you want.

 

I don't understand why we can't dinghy tow our Tacomas. If the truck is in neutral, why should it matter? I do not have a 4x4. If I remove the dashboard fuse, will that prevent the mileage from calculating? Thanks for help.

 

It has to do with the transmission and not getting lubricated with the motor running? But I personally do not know. I am just guessing. But if you disconnect the drive line (only 4 bolts) it should not be a problem. Hopefully someone else will chime in for you on this.

 

Do other people who tow their vehicle behind an RV have this same problem? This is going to be a deciding factor whether or not I buy an RV.

 

This is what it says in the 2012 Owners manual.

 

M parents pull their Accord behind their RV. There is a procedure like this that they must go through to make sure the transmission has enough lube. This is just something I grabbed off the web, not sure exactly which Honda it applies to.

"CAUTION:
Severe automatic transmission damage will occur if the car is shifted from reverse to neutral and then towed with the drive wheels on the ground."

02/22/02
(all models except CR-V)

Dear customer:
Regarding your inquiry on towing your Honda or Acura automobile behind a motorhome:
For your vehicle, the Owner's Manual advises against towing at more than 35 m.p.h or for more than 50 miles. However, this recommendation exists primarily because Honda has not conducted formal tests at higher speeds and for greater distances.
We are not aware of any particular problems being caused by motorhome towing of Honda/Acura automobiles with either manual or automatic transmission, so long as proper pre-towing preparations are made and the vehicle is towed at legal highway speeds.

Manual Transmission

When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission is full of fluid. Do not overfill.
• Release the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission to Neutral.
• Turn the ignition key to the ACCESSORY (1) position to release the steering wheel lock. Make sure that the radio and all accessories are turned off.

Automatic Transmission

When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission fluid level is full. Do not overfill.
If Honda/Acura automobile with an automatic transmission is towed with the front or all four wheels on the ground, you must do the following every day immediately before towing:
• Start the engine.
• Press on the brake pedal. Shift the lever through all the positions (P,R,N,D,2,1).
• Shift to D, then to N. Let the engine run for at least three minutes, then turn off engine.
• Release the parking brake.
• Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY (1) so the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items plugged into the accessory power sockets are turned off so you do not run down the battery.
If you travel more than 8 hours in one day (including stopping time), you must stop and repeat the above procedures.
NOTICE:
The steering system can be damaged if the steering wheel is locked. Always leave the key in the ACCESSORY (1) position to prevent damage to the steering system when towing behind another vehicle.
CAUTION:
Severe automatic transmission damage will occur if the car is shifted from reverse to neutral and then towed with the drive wheels on the ground.

NOTICE:

Improper towing preparation will damage the transmission. Follow the above procedure exactly. If you cannot shift the transmission or start the engine, your vehicle must be on a flat bed truck or trailer.

If you tow a Honda/Acura vehicle with automatic transmission, the fluid must be changed every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Although experience has shown that the Honda/Acura transmission and powertrain are capable of being "motorhome towed", America Honda does not assume responsibility for any vehicle damage or liabilities incurred due to the towing device, towing vehicle, lighting hookup, or other towing equipment or towing procedures; any responsibility for these items is assumed by the owner/operator.
If you have additional questions, please call American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (National Consumer Affairs) at 800-999-1009.

 

I promiss Im trying to sound like a d-bag or anything, but the OP wants to dingy tow a Tacoma not a Honda. The info you listed looks to be top notch and all but really doesnt apply here at all.

 

We've already shown that the Tacoma cannot be towed on all four wheels. He asked about "other people".

 

Ahh I see........ Point taken!..........

 

Of course I could have read too much into that too, wouldn't be the first time.

Hopefully the OP is aware now that some vehicles shouldn't be towed like that, some can be, and some can be only if things are done a certain way.

 

Thank everyone for their input. I guess if I do purchase an RV, I will also have to purchase a car hauler. More money!

 

I dont know anything about towing a Tacoma in paticular but before I went out and bought a big arse car hauler I would check to see if our trucks can be towed on a car dolly where the front wheels are off the ground and the rear wheels are on the ground. I bet a dolly is a LOT cheaper than a full trailer. Just another idea to get ya where ya trying to go.

 

I thought about that, but since our trucks are rear wheel drive, I figured I would have to tow it with rear wheels up. Any thoughts?

 

Ask a tow truck driver how he would tow a Tacoma?

 

As far as I know, vehicles have to be towed with the drive wheels off of the ground.

 

On a flatbed. Do not tow the automatic with the rear wheels on the ground with out removing the drive shaft it will trash it. If you remove the drive shaft there really is no reason you could not tow them regardless of what transmission it has.