Does flat-towing add miles to the odometer?

Hi - I'm new to this forum and I'm wondering if when a 2001 Taco 4x4 manual trans is flat-towed behind an RV (aka. dinghy towed), with both shifters in neutral, does it add miles to the odometer?

I've heard that it does, but wanted to see what you guys think.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Yes, but wouldn't pulling the drivelines while flat towing keep the odometer from increasing?

 

That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm buying an '01 that the owner says was towed behind an RV for half it's mileage (its has 146k on the odo). I just wanted to see if he was trying to scam me. i was a doubtful because the odo is electronic and i would think that it would only register miles with the ignition on. I have no plans to tow it myself.

 

Gotcha, nice find.

 

I would still be cautious.
I doubt there is anyway to prove the owners claim it was towed half its life.

 

That usually means 1/2 of what they are saying is true. I like specifics in these kinds of conversations.

 

Didn't I read recently it was bad for the Xfer case to flat tow a 4X? (Drive gear from trans. not splashing)
I may be completely off here, look up flat towing.

 

it's bad for everything


very few Toyotas can be dinghy towed,
and of those,

the max is 55mph/ for 200 miles.

stay away, unless the cost is 100 bucks. then it may be a deal.

Model/Year/Manual Transmission/Automatic Transmission[]Speed / Distance Limits
4Runner 1996-2015 No No N/A
Avalon 1995-2015 N/A No N/A
Avalon Hybrid 2013-2015 N/A No N/A
Camry 1992-2011 Yes No None
Camry 2012-2015 N/A No N/A
Camry Hybrid 2007-2015 N/A No N/A
Celica 1994-1999 Yes No None
Celica GT 2000-2005 Yes No None
Celica GT-S 2000-2001 Yes [1] Yes 55 MPH / 200 Miles
Celica GT-S 2002-2005 Yes No None
Corolla 1993-2015 Yes No None
Echo 2000-2005 Yes No None
FJ Cruiser 2007-2014 No No N/A
Highlander 2001 N/A Yes 55 MPH / 200 Miles
Highlander 2002-2015 N/A No N/A
Highlander Hybrid 2006-2015 N/A No N/A
Land Cruiser 1992-2015 No No N/A
Matrix 2003-2013 Yes No None
MR2 Spyder 2000-2005 Yes [2] N/A None
Paseo 1996-1998 Yes No None
Previa 1992-1997 N/A No N/A
Prius 2001-2015 N/A No N/A
Prius c 2012-2015 N/A No N/A
Prius v 2012-2015 N/A No N/A
Prius Plug-in 2012-2015 N/A No N/A
RAV4 1996-2000 Yes No None
RAV4 2001 Yes Yes 55 MPH / 200 Miles
RAV4 2002-2005 Yes No 4WD Models: 55 MPH / 200 Miles
RAV4 2006-2015 N/A No N/A
RAV4 EV 1998-2003 N/A No N/A
RAV4 EV 2012-2014 N/A No N/A
Sequoia 2001-2015 N/A No N/A
Sienna 1998-2015 N/A No N/A
Solara 1999-2009 Yes No None
Supra 1994-1999 No No N/A
Tercel 1995-1998 Yes No None
Tacoma 1995-2015 No No N/A
T100 1993-1999 No No N/A
Tundra 2000-2015 No No N/A
Venza 2009-2015 N/A No N/A
Yaris 2007-2015 Yes No None
NOTES:

If speed/distance limits are not strictly observed, internal damage to the transmission or transfer components may occur.

 

Flat towing is bad, it is harder on the drive line then normal driving. It allows gears to overheat among other things.

 

Well if you do end up getting it despite what has been said above, simply check the pedals, shifter, and steering wheel for wear, that should tell you if it has been driven a lot.

 

Will do!