PRNDL

Friends,
I have a '98 Taco 2wd with manual trans.
According to the Toyota web page it is not recommended to tow this truck behind a motorhome.

http://www.toyota.com/help/faqs/vehi...he_ground.html

Has anyone towed theirs with all four wheels down and had any problems.

I think Toyota says not to do this as there might be a problem with lubrication in the transmission. I don't really know why they would say not to tow it.

I could get a driveshaft disconnect but I just thought I would pick the brains of some who might have gone down this path before.

Thanks, Brian

Lumpy

I could see the issue with an auto not the manual. Either way its going to be a bit of wear on the trans. I'd disconnect if you were going to be doing this often.

Just my .02 though.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

4 bolts to remove the driveshaft from the rear diff. and bungee the driveshaft up...cheap protection...just pull your truck up on some blocks (I am sure you have them for leveling your motorhome, throw down a tarp and get a little dirty)
It is something I should have done flat towing my '81, it popped into gear on the way home somehow, now I am in the middle of a transmission replacement all because I was lazy.

PRNDL

Removing the driveshaft is an alternative.
I did it when I put in the new clutch and pulled (actually slid back and rotated) the transmission.
I would not look forward to setting up camp with the motorhome after driving for hours and then getting under the taco to replace the driveshaft.

I'm just curious to know why Toyota says don't tow it.

When I checked the Remco driveline disconnect site they say I don't need to disconnect the drive shaft and to just tow it in neutral.

Thanks.

nc994run

Towing in neutral will still spin the drive shaft. You don't completely remove the drive shaft, just the 4 bolts at the 3rd member.This keeps the spinning drive shaft from building up heat in other components.

PRNDL

Thanks all, (I got it nc994run, just a lot of work when you're already tired).
I found the answer.

When towing in neutral the main output shaft in the trans is the only thing moving. The counter shaft is not turning so there is no lube to the rear main bearing. Shifter forks and hubs as well al the bearings inside the gears, are all turning also without any oil.

I still don't know why Remco says do it anyway. I will call them tomorrow and ask.

Peace

Brian

algranger

Your manual wont lubricate properly, disconnect the driveshaft from the axle and wire it up to the frame you will be fine

stormin94

I've heard with most automatics, that you are supposed to start the car, put it in gear, then take it out of gear, and hold the RPMs between 1500-2000 for a few minutes to lube the transmission. I'm not sure how this would affect a manual transmission though. I wonder if it was a 4X4 vehicle and you put the transfer case in neutral if it would be better, but it's a 2wd, so that's interesting....

LovinLife

sorry for digging up an old thread, but just to clarify, when towing with the driveshaft removed in a manual, the transmission should be in neutral and the transfer case in 2H? or N?

flatblackpolaris

If your drive shaft is disconnected than it doesn't matter what gear you are in, even an auto can be in park, as long as it's in 2wd.

1990yota-pickup

i would probely take the drive shaft out if i was driving more than a hours distance.. but if i had to go that far i would just have a trailer to hual it just make more sense..

when i tow my 90 pickup from the crack head i bought it from.. i towed it on a uhaul dolley for about 60 miles.. well when i got it home it leaked a bit of 80/90wt out the wornout rear main tailshaft seal.. i knew it had to be replaced when i looked it over before i bought it.. it was a pretty stubborn seal to get out.. a seal puller would have came in good help.. but all i had were screwdrivers..