'01 Tacoma 4x4 Toad

[trvlngnrs]

I have recieved a couple private emails since mentioning I use my
truck as a toad, so I am going to post one of my replies here, in case
anyone else is interested.

I have a 2001 Extracab Toyota Tacoma with V6 and manual transmission
with a 2nd stick shift for the transfer case and auto locking hubs. I
put both sticks in N, and the key in Acc.

Toyota does not reccomend this vehicle for towing 4 down. There have
been many threads on various forums about manufacturers not
recommending 4 wheel down towing, even though the vehicle may be
capable of it. The reason is that the RV market is small, so the
builders don't think about it. Another reason is the liability.

This being said, very few auto transmissions are capable of towing,
due to the lack of circulating trans fluid because the pump/s are not
working.

I contacted various RV toad companies such as:
http://www.towingworld.com/indexaemfg.html and Camping World and
http://www.hitchtrader.com/ I had some tell me I could do it,
and some say I couldn't.The ones that said I couldn't always went back
to "Toyota doesn't rccomend it" I called Toyota and asked them what
would be damaged if I towed it 4 down and they didn't have a good answer.

I purchased the neccessary Roadmaster equipment and installed it on
the truck. I used my Raytek infrared thermometer and took temperatures
in multiple areas of the driveline: transfer case, front and rear
differentials, u-joints, hubs etc, and kept log of the temps. I did
this after driving so I would know the "hot" temps. The next day I
took the temps on the "cold" truck. I hooked it to Ford F3500 and
slowly towed it on a dirt road while I walked along side it for a few
hunfred feet, to monitor it. I monitored the temps after a few hundred
feet, a few hundred yards, approx .5 mile, 1 mile, 2 miles... then we
increased the speed and did it again.

The temps never went above the "hot" readings. If there was going to
be a problem it would manifest itself as increased temps due to
friction because of lack of circulating lubricating fluid. I have now
towed it multiple times since las April without a problem. I was
stopped recently with the truck hooked to the BB, and a guy came
running over to me asking me how I towed it. He wanted to tow his
Tacoma but had been afraid of damage due to Toyota's stand on towing.
I let him borrow my Raytek and he spent a few minutes taking temps of
everything. when done, he said he was going to try towing his.

Disclaimer: There are many variations of the Toyota driveline: manual
hubs, push button transfer case, auto trans, etc. I only know this
works for my truck.

Steve Harrie
''86 PT38 with "01 Tacoma 4x4 Toad
St. George, UT