travco

Anyone ever towed a 4runner behind a rv? I am looking for someplace to mount a towbar if this is even possible? It is a 5 speed so I wasn't sure If I could flat tow it by putting it in netural and pulling like a jeep with it in 2h? Any input would be great, I am hoping to use this as a toad for the summer.

TechWrench

Is that a 5 speed manual or auto? If it is an auto, I am pretty sure Toyota recommends against flat towing for any distance. If it's a manual, I would check the owners manual, but I don't think it should be a problem.

phorunninduke

You can not flat tow a toyota 4x4, the front shaft spins the oil up and keeps everything good, when you tow it the driveshaft spins and the internals, but will not oil anthing and eventuall the tranny/transfercase will go KABOOM. You can however disconnect the driveshaft and tow it.

kyle_22r

uh, i'm estimating my truck had 50,000 miles put on it by flat towing behind something....

Mr pogo

About a dozen years ago when we still owned the consumer rental truck division (think yellow trucks) I was a road mechanic and got called to do a road call for a customer complaining of low power. It was a 15ft parcel van towing a newish 2nd gen 4runner on a tow dolly (front wheels only off the ground). It was 4wd with 3.0 and 5spd.
The customer said had left his house and got on the freeway and it wouldnt build speed so after a few miles he pulled over at a gas station. Also he mentioned the 4runner was making ticking noise and something was wrong with the engine. I went and checked the 4runner and the engine was very hot, I pulled the PS dipstick out and it was melted to a stub. The fluid levels were ok so he started it but the engine was making rattling noises. Nothing was found wrong with the parcel van. The customer was told to drive to the nearest shop, I never did hear what the disposition was on this.
My personal opinion was the customer left or bumped the trans into gear and the engine drag caused the low power complaint and the engine to burn up. So I always recommend disconnecting the driveshaft if the drivewheels are not off the ground when towing.

rwmorrisonjr

Year, 4x4, auto or manual? If its a 4x4, place the transfer case in Neutral and you shouldn't have any issues with flat towing.

kyle_22r

i wouldn't put it in neutral...contrary to what a lot of people think, it disengages the input shaft and LOCKS the two output shafts...

phorunninduke

I wouldnt pay to much attention to the others advice, flat towing is a bad idea unless you disconnect the driveshaft. This is the word directly from Marlin himself.

Flamedx4

Kyle is right in both his posts. Geez - it says RIGHT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL (my 85 did anyway)- put the tcase in N and tow it. I've been in the RV industry for more than 20 years - Toyotas tow fine. My 85 has been towed all over the western US, and Dad's Xtracab has been all overthe US. We leave the case in 4Hi and the trans in N (both 5 speeds) and haven't had a problem.

Smaay

sorry for bumping an old thread, im about to flat tow my 93 4runner. didnt you just contradict yourself. first you said put the Tcase in N then you said 4hi and trans in N?

5 Fists

I've never towed my 4runner, but it was towed quite a bit before I ever had it.

I believe the rear drive shaft does need to be disconnected to do it properly. My runner has a rear drive shaft disconnect mechanism right between my driver seat and trans tunnel.

I assume it was aftermarket, but I've never really looked into it. I'll try to snap some pics of the pull knob and the actual mechanism under the truck.