Dolly towing an automatic 2018 tacoma 4x4

I have a quick question about towing a 2018 Toyota Tacoma automatic 4x4 on a dolly.
I know what I have to do to flat tow this truck, but I don't want to cause the extended warranty to be invalid. I own a two dolly as I tow a Pruis behind a diesel pusher motorhome. I would like to take the truck with us on our next trip. Can you tow the automatic tacoma 4x4 behind the motorhome on a dolly with the front wheels down and rear wheels up? does anyone do that. I know I can drop the drive shaft but I would rather back the truck on the dolly and go if that is possible.

 

The steering lock isnt strong enough, you need to dolly the front and remove prop shaft. Tacoma is less than ideal for dragging across country.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Toyota says NO
Owners manual says NO
Towing companies say NO
Some members say yes but won't admit to damage caused by their misteak.

 

Front on the dolly, prop shaft removed and stowed in the truck bed.

 

Car trailer

 

^^-This, then disconnect the driveshaft at the rear and tie it up so it doesn't interfere.

 

Unless you remove a driveshaft, I doubt any stock, 2nd or 3rd Gen, automatic 4x4’s can be towed at regular speeds with any wheels on the ground (without mechanical damage)

Steering lock not strong enough though? Never heard of that. You could prob tow a 2wd Tacoma from the rear all day and it would be fine. If you’re really worried about it though, you could always put the drivers seat belt through the steering wheel and then latch it.

 

Smart key steering locks are weaker, but even key locks shouldn't be trusted. I would do the seat belt method for sure, still not ideal.

 

Not to mention Towed vehicle braking and taillights.
State troopers love giving tickets to Good Sam members.

 

I'm assuming you plan to put the front on the dolly and rear on the road. So, just disconnect the drive shaft and as mentioned stick it in the bed. Sort of a hassle but the only real thing to worry about is getting it back in phase. An alignment mark makes that easy. Nothing will turn but the rear axel. As to the front, if they are properly secured to the dolly they aren't going anywhere.

Oh, and don't forget to release the parking brake. Yep, seen a few being towed down the road with smoking tires.

 

Don't put it in low.

 

Since you aren’t connecting a trailer you can hook up a set of temporary rear lights easily.

Used to just make the ourselves. But I imagine store bought are now available.

 

Since most of the weight is on the truck's front axle, towing it with the rear wheels on the dolly will cause sway, akin to loading a trailer tail-heavy.

It's easy to pull the driveshaft from the rear diff, esp. with an impact. Just loosen the 4 nuts (14mm IIRC), contract the driveshaft, and slide it off the studs on the pinion flange. No match marks needed.

 

some vehicles are designed to be towed disengaged & in neutral

many are NOT

when engine is running there a re pumps movoing fluid to other locations

towing some does NOT activate those pumps

 

GM used to have sling pumps that the output shaft would spin, but pretty much no truck has that anymore. Heck true transfer case neutral is nearly extinct.

 

Huh? Tell that to the 200,000 Wranglers sold each year...

 

U joints aren’t phased anymore? The Tacoma is the first vehicle I bought since ‘82. I guess things have changed.

 

https://www.remcodsc.com/coupling/

 

The whole U-joint yoke goes with the driveshaft assembly:

 

U-joints need to be phased.

Prop shaft can be attached to the differential flange without need for orientation.