Flat or Dinghy Tow a Tacoma - why not?

All you mechanics out there I need your assistance with why I cannot flat tow a MANUAL Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road.

The Owner's manual is very brief about not towing (image below).

The only reason I can come up with is I can't put the center diff into neutral. But it seems to be a splash oiling so why would it matter.

I've seen a Gen 2 Tacoma flat towed here and there and they don't seem to have an issue.

I really need your thoughts on this since I've already ordered the base plate and braking attachments to tow behind the RV.

 

I would tell you to return the base plate and braking attachment.

There could be transmission reasons, transfer case reasons, electronics reasons, weight reasons, warranty reasons, etc.

If the owners manual says no then its a no.

 

I bet you could if you disconnected the rear driveshaft.

Googling around it seems like more of a cya thing on Toyotas part than an actual technical limitation. It's much easier to say "just don't do it" than deal with an endless stream of retirees with lots of time to complain.


Then again, their front wheel drive manual transmission vehicles can be flat towed....hmm.

 

I'm thinking a CYA thing as well. Just want to see if anyone has knowledge of the center diff and if they see any issues.

I've been to the college of Google many times on this issue and come up blank.

 

I bet you can if it was 2WD.

 

According to Toyota - nope: https://www.toyotaoflancasterav.com/dinghy-towing-guide.htm

Actually the only one they say you can do it with is a Yaris. Everything else is dolly or a flatbed.

All I can think of is that its something to do with the transmission/transfer case lubrication. If the front axle is disconnected at the hubs/ADD and the rear driveshaft is out, then it should be fine, I bet.

 

The center diff and trans isnt designed to free-spin with the engine not running to circulate fluids. Its a good way to cook your transfer and/or trans. Best option is also the least attractive, put it on a car hauler. Alternatively, install a driveshaft disconnect device, and for extra safety, manual locking hubs on the front, which theoretically should prevent damage. (By the way, a flat tow kit plus driveshaft disconnect are way more expensive than a trailer, just saying.)

Be forewarned, if for any reason your truck is involved in an accident and you have flat tow gear installed, you will be legally screwed in the unlikely event that your opponent's attorney finds a copy of your owners manual. Because its impossible to provide legal proof that your compromised drivetrain did not directly or indirectly cause little 8-year old Suzies neck injury.

 

Thanks for the reply but the engine wouldn't circulate fluid to a manual transmission. Also, I can't see any pump on the center diff so that's why I'm thinking splash oiling like a rear diff. Thoughts?

 

I would have no qualms about driving down a 30 mile mountain road in neutral with a Prerunner.

A 4WD with ADD fronts?

I dunno.

With manual hubs? Again, I think it would work fine.

edit: I say this because I used to see many manual hubbed vehicles being flat towed, now with all these Auto hubbed vehicles, no and really the drivetrain didn't change aside from that.

 

I appreciate everyone saying I can't flat tow it but I would like to know why?

The transfer case and the transmission seem to be pretty "standard". Few more sensors here and there.

Also, I don't have VSC (Vehicle Stability).

 

Youre right, I was thinking of the trans cooler, forgot the manual doesnt have that included. Thats getting into an area that I'm admittedly not too familiar with - theres a chance that it will be fine, and theres a chance that the transfer doesnt like to receive torque from an area that it normally delivers torque for extended periods of time. I honestly don't know. Depending on how the speedometer is connected, theres also a chance of wear/tear on your gauges and/or the truck reporting false miles on the odometer.

I also like to think about crazy/stupid what-if scenarios: What if you had a suitcase in the back seat and you hit the brakes, the suitcase flies forward and slams the truck into 3rd gear... Ok, nevermind, that was kinda dumb. The question is why put something into motion, possibly causing wear and tear, when it can be immobilized? Two thousand dollars extra insurance against a possible drivetrain repair/replace in an unfamiliar part of the country. Its up to you.


Really though, if it were me, I fear ambulance-chaser lawyers more than I do the idea of whether or not its possible. Yes, it can be done, but again, I have no legal protection if I do. There isnt any document I could present to a court that will supersede the manufacturer's paragraph of "don't do it."

 

Not a chance......it will. Actually not false though, just not running.

 

I hear you on the lawyers. I've flat towed a Honda CRV from east cost to Alaska and back so I'm comfortable towing. I also have a "Ready Brute" tow bar that uses the cars brakes to assist in braking. I've replaced the rack and pinion on the CRV 3 times because (I think) the lack of fluid moving about int he power steering wears on the gears. If I do have to replace say the transfer case then I can get one from a junk yard for about $300-$500 and replace it.

I guess I'm just not satisfied with what the lawyers say with out a valid reason.

 

Not sure about the Tacoma but towed a CRV across the country and only accumulated miles when the engine was on.

 

we're referring to ADD, the fact that the front drivetrain is spinning all the way to the transfer case. What happens there w/o the input shaft turning from the other way, I don't know.

 

Have you considered just sticking it on a trailer? They're really pretty easy to deal with.

 

Really? Wow....I've been lied to about that then. Not surprised.

 

A dolly isn't. Most RV'ers flat tow.

 

If the CRV FWD setup oiled just fine while in neutral, I'd think the Tacoma would be fine also.
I know a 5 lug manual is fine for flat towing. Not concerned with the trans. I doubt a tranfer case would cause more problems than a FWD trans. i would prefer manual hubs myself though.

 

I was thinking of a flatbed. Dollys do seem like a pain.