Flat Towing 3rd Gen -- What's Needed?

[absalom]

I've seen several other threads posted regarding a similar topic, but the posts always seem to end before a conclusive answer is posted.

In any case, we'll most likely be scooping up a 3rd gen to tow behind our Sprinter (assuming all goes well in this thread).

It'll be an automatic 4runner. What all is needed to flat tow these? Drive shaft disconnect? Tips?

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Steering unlocked, trans and tcase in neutral.

 

[alumarine]

Manual says transmission will be damaged if towing with rear wheels on ground.

Disconnect driveshaft, transmission in neutral and in H2.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Steering unlocked, trans and tcase in neutral.

Nope

I've seen several other threads posted regarding a similar topic, but the posts always seem to end before a conclusive answer is posted.

In any case, we'll most likely be scooping up a 3rd gen to tow behind our Sprinter (assuming all goes well in this thread).

It'll be an automatic 4runner. What all is needed to flat tow these? Drive shaft disconnect? Tips?

I had to google Flat Towing but if I have it right then NO YOU CANNOT SAFELY DO THIS.

In the owners manual for 4Runners with an automatic transmission it very clearly says do not tow with the rear wheels moving under any circumstances.

I had to do it myself (via uhaul 2 wheel dolly) to get out of Death Valley and I am very lucky from what I hear that there seems to be no long term damage.

When I towed out I put it in N, transfer in N and 2WD. Thats the best I could do but even then others told me I should have dropped the driveshaft.

The issue stems from the fact that with an auto trans whenever the rear wheels are moving the transmission is still moving but with the vehicle not powered on it may become damaged.

The manual has a clear picture that indicates don't tow with rear wheels on pavement and spinning. I guess maybe you could lock the steering wheel and do a reverse tow with the front wheel on the ground.

 

[pluton]

From my PDF of the 1997 owner's manual:

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Anyone know what gets damaged in the transmission if towed with the rear wheels on the ground?
I actually towed my '01 like that, and it fixed the trans [emoji23]
That's why I'm asking.

 

[kolelt]

If you disconnect All drive shafts. You should be good. Or put tcase in neutral. Right ?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Anyone know what gets damaged in the transmission if towed with the rear wheels on the ground?
I actually towed my '01 like that, and it fixed the trans [emoji23]
That's why I'm asking.

Lol well I towed mine too -- about 300 miles.

You've got a beautiful rig though and I wouldn't take the chance. :biggrin1:


Realistically of the options pictured, B seems the most valid one. I don't think there is a 2-wheel dolly that is highway legal, maybe in Japan...

Or .... as mentioned before and below disconnect the rear driveshaft and tow it with the rear wheels down.

:bat:

 

[absalom]

I'm thinking I'll be fine with rear driveshaft disconnected.

Front axles will turn, but front diff has its own oil reservoir in clam shell. I don't think spinning front wheels turns anything in transfer case when it's in 2wd mode.

Right?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yes you should be fine with the rear driveshaft disconnected.

 

[Rancho5]

I have always thought it strange when I see an expensive RV towing an expensive car behind it, just rolling along behind, adding up miles on the odometer. With all the money invested, why not just add a couple of grand and get a used, small flatbed so your tow- behind car doesn’t rack up all those miles? A friend of mine has well over 100,000 on a very nice newish Jeep SUV, and has probably actually driven it only 20,000 miles. Not being an RV’er am I missing something? And I’m not sure an 80 year old couple pulling a new Honda Accord is disconnecting driveshafts, etc.

 

[amalik]

So wait, now I'm kinda confused. [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION]

If 4runner is RWD when not in 4WD, and thus can't tow with rear wheels on ground (unless rear DS disconnected), does that mean in a FWD car like my automatic tranny Civic, you shouldn't tow with the front wheels on ground for same reason? (And you can't 'disconnect' front DS, there is no DS, lol its a transaxle with CV's).

 

[BrianSD_42]

I think it means you should check the Civic's owners manual.

 

[absalom]

I have always thought it strange when I see an expensive RV towing an expensive car behind it, just rolling along behind, adding up miles on the odometer. With all the money invested, why not just add a couple of grand and get a used, small flatbed so your tow- behind car doesn’t rack up all those miles? A friend of mine has well over 100,000 on a very nice newish Jeep SUV, and has probably actually driven it only 20,000 miles. Not being an RV’er am I missing something? And I’m not sure an 80 year old couple pulling a new Honda Accord is disconnecting driveshafts, etc.

I have a 5,000 weight limit, and a trailer that could handle a 3rd gen would put me over that limit.

I'm not worried about miles on a $3,000 4runner.

 

[alumarine]

I'm thinking I'll be fine with rear driveshaft disconnected.

Front axles will turn, but front diff has its own oil reservoir in clam shell. I don't think spinning front wheels turns anything in transfer case when it's in 2wd mode.

Right?

Disconnect driveshaft, transmission in neutral and transfer case in H2 it will be ok.

 

[alumarine]

I have always thought it strange when I see an expensive RV towing an expensive car behind it, just rolling along behind, adding up miles on the odometer. With all the money invested, why not just add a couple of grand and get a used, small flatbed so your tow- behind car doesn’t rack up all those miles? A friend of mine has well over 100,000 on a very nice newish Jeep SUV, and has probably actually driven it only 20,000 miles. Not being an RV’er am I missing something? And I’m not sure an 80 year old couple pulling a new Honda Accord is disconnecting driveshafts, etc.

A number of vehicles can be flat towed without doing anything.
Most of the time that's what you see behind rv's.

Towing a trailer is not always practical or convenient.
It's harder to deal with the trailer at a rv park than the vehicle being towed.

On most modern vehicles the odometer isn't changing when towing.
Even if you towed it 5000 miles a year it's not hard on the vehicle.

Plus, if you can afford the rv and fuel the car probably isn't a big deal.

 

[amalik]

Disconnect driveshaft, transmission in neutral and transfer case in H2 it will be ok.

And some others in the thread are saying T-case in N, so which is it?

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

If the driveshaft is spinning the transmission, there is no lubrication as the pump is driven from the input side. The typical automatic vehicle you see being flat towed probably had a pump added to the tail shaft so it would lubricate the internals.

For a Jeep which has a transfer case that has a neutral position, the transfer case would be put into neutral, and the transmission would be left in park or 4th gear in the case of a manual. The transmission would not be allowed to turn, all of the axles/driveshafts free spin.

The design of those transfer cases is probably different enough from the Toyota that it doesn't allow for the internals to free spin.

 

[sleepydad]

I've seen several other threads posted regarding a similar topic, but the posts always seem to end before a conclusive answer is posted.

In any case, we'll most likely be scooping up a 3rd gen to tow behind our Sprinter (assuming all goes well in this thread).

It'll be an automatic 4runner. What all is needed to flat tow these? Drive shaft disconnect? Tips?

I have also researched it because I would like to do it.

[MENTION=135317]rkntoy[/MENTION] disconnecting the driveshaft here

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2783010-post17.html

it's main reason I was considering doing a full floating kit from front range, you could just unlock the rear axle. I already have done the front locker out conversion so... but it's a ton of $$ and probably a complete custom rear axle housing.

I know there are also some companies who sell drive shaft disconnects but they are few and far between.

your also going to have to rig something with brake lights and special tow hitch.
[MENTION=135134]pauldub[/MENTION] has the special setup.

 

[rkntoy]

I have also researched it because I would like to do it.

[MENTION=135317]rkntoy[/MENTION] disconnecting the driveshaft here

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2783010-post17.html

it's main reason I was considering doing a full floating kit from front range, you could just unlock the rear axle. I already have done the front locker out conversion so... but it's a ton of $$ and probably a complete custom rear axle housing.

I know there are also some companies who sell drive shaft disconnects but they are few and far between.

your also going to have to rig something with brake lights and special tow hitch.
[MENTION=135134]pauldub[/MENTION] has the special setup.

Manual hubs unlocked, rear driveline disconnected, t-case in neutral, trans in neutral. And when I disconnect the driveline I only do it at the diff