Flat towing a 3rd Gen 4x4

Yea, I know. Owners manual says it can’t be done.

I recently sold my 1st Gen TRD Off Road that I had setup with a Remco driveshaft disconnect and Roadmaster Stowmaster tow bar that stayed on the Taco. A setup I drove and towed behind various trucks all week long (I buy/sell trucks) and then behind our Motorhome on weekends. It was a setup that I had put over 30k trouble free miles along with an immeasurable amount of “towed” miles. The owners manual said it could not be flat towed, too.

That said, I just picked up a 3rd Gen TRD Off Road and want to set it up for my new “work truck”. Tow bar and driveshaft disconnect is a no-brainer. The problem I see that lies ahead is the steering column lock. This one is Push to Start.

I’ve done some searching here and have gained some knowledge on how to do this, but most of the posts were 3 years old. Im wondering if anybody has any new ideas for setting up a 3rd Gen for flat towing with regards to flat towing. Or is remov8ng the column lock mechanical mechanism the only way.

 

I'd unlock the column/ignition lock and leave the key in so it won't re-lock itself, then remove the drive shafts and you should be good.

 

The new Taco is “Push to Start”.... Hence the problem.

 

stupid idea time.


What IF you unlock the steering wheel lock using Push to Start and then Disconnect the battery?

Does it re-lock?


Just an idea to try.

 

I will try that just to see if it works. I hope there’s a better solution because I will tow it almost daily. Resetting stereo memory would become tedious very quickly!

 

It won’t re-lock but it won’t be happy when you try to start it the first time.
There would be a sequence you would need to do sync.
Although I have not had this scenario with a new Tacoma yet I have had it in older Camry and
Avalon models so I have to assume the same until I see different.

 

It sounds like you might tow the Taco a lot. Why not invest in a car dolly? You would still use the driveshaft disconnect but would avoid any concerns or hassle with the front steering. Just a thought.

Tow Max Heavy Duty Car Tow Dolly 4900 lb.

https://www.amazon.com/Tow-Max-Heavy-Duty-Dolly/dp/B00I4BUDZ4

 

I think he would have to tow the tow dolly around.

 

Exactly. Keep in myour nd, the main use for my Tacoma is to drive from point A, hook it behind a “random” truck I’ve purchased and pull it back home. I do this on a near daily basis. Motorhome towing is a part time event, but the main reason I wanted something newer and nicer.

But, I’m not going to drag a car dolly around everyday. I would rather drive my dually and pull my equipment or race trailer.

 

That’s what I thought .
Drop and go..

 

If you get one with MT it will have a key.

 

One 3 pedal car is enough!

 

I have both with 3 pedals, but was mainly just throwing out some useless info about the key.

 

Not useless

 

What final solution did you arrive at (specifically the steering wheel lock on a PTS Tacoma)? I’m setting up a 2018 for flat towing behind a Class A motorhome soon, thanks.

 

The push start button doesn’t open like in the dodges when You have key fob issue .. mine has a key.

 

sr5 models like my 2019 have a key.

 

It’s been a while since anyone has posted here. Has anyone figured out how to flat tow a 3rd gen Tacoma Off Road 4x4 with a PTS ignition? I would like to flat tow behind my Class A motor home as well.

 

Bump. I'm considering this. The tow dolly option is a pain to disconnect and connect. I have a manual xmission 3rd gen. I've towed it on the dolly, in 4high and neutral for thousands of miles, but considering wandering around the east coast for awhile, towing it behind our sprinter based class A. I've also seen that the front diff is just disconnected so not a problem to flat tow with the front on the ground. Anybody had a "bad experience" doing that?