2013 Tacoma 4x4: Towing Issue

I have a stock 2013 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 v6. I have been flat towing my 1967 Ford Bronco behind my Tacoma (no trailer brake control on the Bronco). When I am going downhill between 20-45 mph and brake during a turn, the ABS or EBD modulates and in essence locks up the rear wheel or wheels of the Tacoma. This creates a brief period of terror due to the incredible loss of vehicle control as the weight of the Bronco pushes the rear of the Tacoma into the turn. I have not found any similar issues via internet searches. Only thought is to turn off the VCS when towing.

Any comments or suggestions??? Please skip the obvious suggestion to not flat tow the Bronco.

Thx

 

Physics is a bitch. You're exceeding the Tacos capabilities so not sure what good advice one could give you aside from the obvious

 

Get a flat towing buddy kit that presses the brakes on the Bronco if you're going to tow like this otherwise I'd advise you to really get a tow dolly with hydraulic or electric brakes.
http://www.brakebuddy.com/

 

Stiffen up the rear, I flat tow this, no trailer brakes, and I can tow it at 80+. Now granted it's not a Bronco, but the Tacoma tows my Jeep with no problems.

 

^^^This is basically what is happening...
Your truck is getting pushed by your oversized load, just as a hay wagon can push a tractor.
http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ttalk&th=1235823

 

Thanks for the replies. Nice Jeep Mully!

Tow details: The Bronco is roughly 4,000 lbs curb weight, tongue weight is minimal, and I have the tow package on the Tacoma. The Bronco is not lifted, and the tow bar is very flat horizontally from Bronco bumper to Tacoma hitch. In what way am I exceeding the Tacoma's capabilities???

Please note that the only time this happens during towing is when applying the brakes during a downhill turning situation; it only happens on mountain roads with downhill curves; the Tacoma shakes like hell (EBD modulation noise?) when this happens; and the rear wheel(s) lock up. Yes, it becomes the hay wagon syndrome for a moment, but only because the computer sensors are misreading the situation and then creating the hay wagon scenario by locking up the rear wheels. I let off the brakes and the shaking/modulation stops immediately.

I believe the shaking that I am experiencing may be the Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) unit modulating the brake pressure. Could my situation be due to a sensor reading the Tacoma body shifting while in the downhill turn (inside rear wheel of the Tacoma raises more than outside rear wheel during braking in a turn), causing sensor to fire and the EBD to modulate and increase the braking pressure to the rear wheel or wheels? Would turning off the VSC stop the sensor read and EBD modulation? Will the VCS stay off until I turn off the engine at the end of my drive, or will it reset as I increase/decrease driving speed (I read 35 mph reset for one of these granny sensors)?

Thanks!

 

VSC will stay off until you restart, and I say you might want to turn it off and try. I still say to also stiffen up the rear end. I towed from CA to UT and back without a single issue and did not have to turn anything off.

 

Holding the VSC button for 10 seconds or so should turn it off until you restart the engine. Instead of both the VSC Off and LSD lights going on it will change and only one light will stay off. It does so in my 2010 DCLB Sport. Do this in Park. Otherwise, I also second the airbags. I tow a TT that's about 3700 dry without issues, although granted I do have brakes on the trailer. I also don't go above 4th when towing, maybe even use a downshift to help braking.

 

If you look at the taco it's very light in the ass end. I suspect the weight is pushing the ass around. Possibly try putting tome tube sand in the back of the truck to see if it helps. We add tongue weight when we tow a trailer, your flat bar adds the weight of the load without adding any tongue weight to keep the ass nailed down. Like someone above suggested if you've ever towed a hay wagon or gravity wagon it can get pretty scary especially on gravel roads.

 

Maybe your Tacoma just wants you to have the maximum excitement

Hopefully I will never have that much "fun" in my truck.

 

One more thing...
I don't know why I missed this the first two times posting but you should be breaking in a straight line before the turn not during.
https://youtu.be/V49TxR4-K90?t=1556

 

I believe legally you need brakes on the trailer (or flat towed vehicle) if its over 3,000 lbs.