1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Towing my Taco

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by NC4x4, Jul 9, 2015.

  1. Jul 9, 2015 at 6:15 PM
    #1
    NC4x4

    NC4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2014
    Member:
    #124829
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Robbinsville, NC & Wimauma,Fl
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma 4x4
    I have searched and asked several people and keep getting different opinions so hoping you all can settle this for me once and for all.

    I want to flat tow my 1996 4x4 behind my motorhome, it has an auto tranny. Can't I simply shift the transfer case into neutral and tow it with no damage to the transmission? Thanks in advance for the help.
     
  2. Jul 11, 2015 at 1:58 PM
    #2
    NC4x4

    NC4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2014
    Member:
    #124829
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Robbinsville, NC & Wimauma,Fl
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma 4x4
    no one has the answer on this? am I posting this question in the wrong section? tried the towing section and no response there either.... any idea who might have the definitive answer for me?...:help:
     
  3. Jul 11, 2015 at 6:34 PM
    #3
    Crunkbananas

    Crunkbananas Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2015
    Member:
    #157928
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chase
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    1999 Tacoma TRD, 2022 TRDOR DCLB
    Softopper!
    Just wondering if you've looked in the owners manual to see what it says. I'm not entirely sure though..
     
  4. Jul 11, 2015 at 6:37 PM
    #4
    Black Taco

    Black Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Member:
    #29356
    Messages:
    1,966
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    WPB, FL
    Vehicle:
    TOYOTA
    No mods whatsoever!
    You have to dolly it.
     
  5. Jul 11, 2015 at 6:42 PM
    #5
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151688
    Messages:
    59,842
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    West Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2017 4Runner
  6. Jul 11, 2015 at 6:56 PM
    #6
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2014
    Member:
    #139537
    Messages:
    5,258
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    karl
    louisiana
    Vehicle:
    2006 4runner sport 4.7L V8 (white)
    used to have - 99 2.4L I4 5 lug & 04 prerunner v6
    now im no expert on this, but I was told even when in neutral, the tranny internals will spin and build up heat as you tow it, but because it is not running, it cannot cool itself so it can overheat on you.

    now for the fuzzy part, I have heard you have no choice but to dolly it if you are going to tow it properly so your taking the drive axle off the road to avoid this or simply tow it but every two hours stop and park for 30 minutes to allow it to cool down while you stretch your legs and whatever. im also told if the drive train turns on the vehicle your towing its hurting gas mileage a lot more then if you dolly it so the dolly pays for itself in gas savings.

    to me, having to be stopping like that can take forever to get somewhere, so rent a dolly from U-Haul and put the rear axle on the dolly towing it backwards so the drive train doesn't turn as you drive. also you will need to add back towing lights

    now that said, I see people tow vehicles behind the motor home without dollies all the time
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2015
  7. Jul 11, 2015 at 7:05 PM
    #7
    Colin The Shots

    Colin The Shots Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2013
    Member:
    #116116
    Messages:
    51
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Colin
    B.C.
    Vehicle:
    SR5
  8. Jul 12, 2015 at 9:49 AM
    #8
    98 Taco Max

    98 Taco Max Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2013
    Member:
    #118446
    Messages:
    262
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Calgary, AB
    Vehicle:
    v6 Tacoma 4x4
    lmao that poor little truck
     
  9. Nov 6, 2015 at 2:24 PM
    #9
    MikeinFresno

    MikeinFresno Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2014
    Member:
    #145321
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Ive got an RV and want to tow a small pickup behind it as well. I cant do it with my 2015 Tacoma 4x4 and am wondering if a manual trans unit Tacoma would be OK. I need to buy something and cant find the answer. I cant see why not, but do one of you guys have a manual you can look or definite answer. 2WD is OK for as well.
     
  10. Nov 6, 2015 at 2:28 PM
    #10
    Sep1911

    Sep1911 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Member:
    #165670
    Messages:
    1,237
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Taco
    If its an auto, since the transmission pump is not running damage will occur even if it's in neutral.

    As far manuals go, the counter shaft needs to spin in order to bring oil up from the bottom to splash lube around. But when in neutral all that happens is the output shaft spins inside each of the gears on the output shaft and does not turn the counter shaft. These bearings are the ones that will run dry and burn up. There is some residual oil hanging around so it is ok to flat tow at a low speed for a short distance but on a long tow and high speed you will burn everything up.

    Solution? Disconnect the rear drive shaft. Technically you can have an automatic in neutral with the engine running so the pump runs... but really?.. Just disconnect the drive shaft.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
  11. Nov 6, 2015 at 5:59 PM
    #11
    MikeinFresno

    MikeinFresno Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2014
    Member:
    #145321
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    thx for the reply
     

Products Discussed in

To Top