2003mikem

iTrader: (1)

Towing a 4runner behind my RV ?

I have a 33’ class A rv and I have a tow dolly and want to tow my 2000 4 Runner behind it.
What is the best way to do it?

A…. back the 4runner onto the dooly and strap it down and go?

B…. pull the 4runner on and put the manual tcase in neutral and go ?

Oh the 2000 4runner is an automatic

Any help would be great. I only will need to do this once a year, if I did it more I would buy the drive shaft disconnect thingy.

Thanks Mike

xxxtreme22r

I believe even on this gen truck if your gonna flat tow or dolly tow it you still need to remove the driveshaft, but I could be wrong.

tunnelmotor99

I would put the front on the dolly and remove the driveshaft. You'll have to come up with something to plug up the output shaft hole on the transmission. Before removing the driveshaft be sure to mark the yoke on the differential end so it's in the same position when you re-install it, this can cause a drive line vibration if not done.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Rear dshaft needs to be disconnected or removed.

:wabbit2:

Nelsonmd

What do you mean plug the output shaft hole? The rear DS is flanged on both sides isn't it (mine is)? There is nothing to plug.

How would reinstalling the DS in a different position introduce vibration? I could see it if the DS and diff were balanced as a set, but they aren't.

xxxtreme22r

No need to completely remove it, just unbolt if from the rear, and ratchet strap it up and out of the way.

Glad you brought that up Nelson, I wasn't sure if that gen had a slip yoke or flange.

2003mikem

iTrader: (1)

can i put the rear tires on the dolly and pull it backwards?

xxxtreme22r

then you have to remove the front driveshaft. And if your steering isn't perfectly straight then you have issues with that and I mean perfect, and also the weight of the truck is gonna cause wander anyway even if the steering it absolutely perfect. You always want the weight of the vehicle your towing to be in the front of the trailer, this goes for both a flatbed and a dolly.

I don't know if removing the driveshaft is the same reason why the earlier gens have to (t-case lubrication) but there is a second aspect as to why you want to do this as well and it's safety. If the t-case or trans happens to slip into gear it's gonna cause major problems, if the driveshaft is off even if they do slip into gear it's not gonna do anything. Big price to pay for not removing 4 bolts and using some whiteout.

tunnelmotor99

I got it, you have a 4x4. Mine is 2wd and has a 1-piece drive shaft. The slip yoke on mine slides into the tail cone on the trans. If I take it out fluid will leak from the hole. There is some speculation that re-installing the drive shaft in a different position will introduce a vibration. I've never experienced that happening but when you work at the dealership they drill that into your head.

Nelsonmd

Ah, that's right, the 2WD DS is different. Yeah, I swapped out my rear axle (diff included) and didn't pay attention at all about DS position and I don't have any vibration. Maybe the 2wd setup is different and will cause vibration, or I got lucky and hit the 1/4 odds.

Mirage88

Reviving this thread...I have a '99 4x4 LTD auto with the push button AWD . If I tow it with the back wheels on the dolly, why would i need to disconnect the front drive shaft? The hubs are unlocked and cannot lock unless the engine is running to create vacuum. I am an old fart and climbing under my truck to connect a driveshaft at a campground is out of the question. Buying another vehicle(FWD) is out of the question also.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

It is not recommended that you pull a vehicle with the rear axle on the Dolly. I found this after I tried it last weekend . Car towed fine at 25-30. Hit 45 and the car was all over the highway. Pulled the shaft and 300 miles later took 5 minutes to put it back in.
And pull t he rear shaft. You can look in my build thread and see the damage I did when I was lazy and didn't pull the rear shaft.

I am old too.'if you can't crawl under the truck, buy a flat bed trailer or a rear drive line disconnect kit

xxxtreme22r

Actually, both wheels will still be turning it's CV, and one of those wheels will still be spinning the front driveshaft. Assuming the ADD system on that gen is the same as the other gen. So that wheel will be spinning the driveshaft on the front, and once again, You would never catch me towing a vehicle on a dolly from the rear of the truck. Using a tow truck short distances is one thing, but towing a vehicle with the rear of another vehicle on a tow dolly is just plain risky. Tow it right or don't tow it at all. Or install a driveline disconnect.

Mirage88

OK, thx I didn't know the hubs did not unlock from the driveshaft on one side.

Does anyone know who makes a quick disconnect for a '99 4runner? Google turns up nothing that i can find easily.

ToyoTech559

imo, i wouldnt use any quick disconnect driveshafts. the one i have see was built into the driveshaft so the guy threw away his stock one. something happened and the quick disconnect must have connected while being towed and the driveshaft twist like a soda can since the metal used in that driveshaft was as thin as a soda can. better to remove the bolts on the rear diff and tie it up

ThatGuy1295

Hope I'm reading this right.

A.D.D. systems don't spin the front drive shaft. Even when being towed.
It stands for auto diff disconnect. If you towed it backwards, (which is a bad idea) the drivline wouldn't be spinning or the t-case or trans. If it weren't for the handling effects it would solve your problems.

dwdial

I have a 2000 4Runner, five speed manual, with manual 4X4. Can I tow it behind a RV in neutral with the transfer case in 2H?
Will it cause any problems?

2003mikem

iTrader: (1)

i would think it would need to be in neutral ?

miller502

I have the same vehicle that I want to dolly tow. Did you ever find out if you can tow like this or does the transfer case have to be in neutral?

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

no need to remove the propeller shafts.
just place BOTH the transmission and transfer case in neutral.