Flat Tow Setup on 4th Gen Tacoma Done

[Leo319]

Just wanted to share that 4g tacomas can be flat towed with a driveline disconnect. There is NO steering wheel lock on this gen, so there is no need to bypass that at the fuse box. I tested this by leaving the truck off, locked, and on the air overnight, but the steering wheel did not lock. I also had the dealership look into it, and they confirmed that it does not lock (not sure why there’s a “steering lock” fuse either); they checked other units on their lot too. I completed a 500 trip this weekend with no issues.

The other stuff installed for flat tow its pretty generic. Here are some pics. Hope this helps other people, I sure scratched my head a few times getting this to work. Happy it works.

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[CrispyTacoLover]

Just wanted to share that 4g tacomas can be flat towed with a driveline disconnect. There is NO steering wheel lock on this gen, so there is no need to bypass that at the fuse box. I tested this by leaving the truck off, locked, and on the air overnight, but the steering wheel did not lock. I also had the dealership look into it, and they confirmed that it does not lock (not sure why there’s a “steering lock” fuse either); they checked other units on their lot too. I completed a 500 trip this weekend with no issues.

The other stuff installed for flat tow its pretty generic. Here are some pics. Hope this helps other people, I sure scratched my head a few times getting this to work. Happy it works.

What does the red cable do? What brand hitch is that?

 

[TrustButVerify]

What does the red cable do? What brand hitch is that?

That's how the baby truck gets its nutrients from the mother.

 

[RichP64]

Leo319, can you share more details on your setup? It was a significant factor deciding to sell my Jeep that I could connect to my Blue Ox setup in 60-90 seconds and switch to a Tacoma that "can't" be flat towed, I only made the trade because my wife has a Jeep that we can tow. I'd really like to be able to take the Tacoma with us to camping locations where we also include some off-roading.

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

That's how the baby truck gets its nutrients from the mother.

 

[Leo319]

That was funny and true! It provides power to the taillights and, in my particular case, to the battery charger. See it as the electrical cable that anything you would normally tow has..

 

[Leo319]

Leo319, can you share more details on your setup? It was a significant factor deciding to sell my Jeep that I could connect to my Blue Ox setup in 60-90 seconds and switch to a Tacoma that "can't" be flat towed, I only made the trade because my wife has a Jeep that we can tow. I'd really like to be able to take the Tacoma with us to camping locations where we also include some off-roading.

Sure thing. I have a blue Ox tow bar (7500 lbs) and used a Gen Y Hitch to achieve the appropriate height level between the truck and RV. I also added anti-rattle brackets at both places. It's a little overkill everywhere, but that’s me.

I used the front D-Ring shackle kit from Rough Country as baseplates for the Tacoma. It has a super clean look and is efficient.

Disclaimer here. This route isn’t for everyone, as the kit is designed for “recovery purposes” only and not for towing. That freaks people out, but I figured if they rated to be used during recovery, potentially stuck somewhere, and using a winch and other forces to pull/recover the truck; I figured I’d be okay. Nonetheless, I also asked some friends who happen to be engineers and enjoy doing complex math for a living at a company that sends rockets to space. They looked at the mounting locations, the material used, size of hardware, towing angles, and force used while towing and did not see a problem with my application. Again, it is not for everyone, and that is the risk I am taking, I am aware. Oh, super cheap too! $150 instead of $500+ for actual baseplates. I personally hate the look of baseplates, again that's me.

Anyhow, for brakes, I have the RVi breaking system, and I installed their battery charger +. The system works well, and it's neat to see everything on a tablet.

For wiring, I tapped into my taillights at the rear with diodes for variable-voltage LED lights. When I did it, I had to build my kit, but etrailer just came up with a kit that has everything.

I can't think of anything else. As I mentioned in the first message, you don’t have to do anything to your steering, as it doesn’t lock.

The driveshaft disconnect was sourced from a superior driveline in Iowa. I don’t need to say this, but this is the most important thing of the entire set up.

I hope this helps you. Let me know if I can answer anything else. I was almost a victim of selling the Tacoma to get a Jeep, but I'm glad I'm stubborn and made it work. It sucks there is a not tons of info out there in getting Tacomas flat towed, but many people have done it.

 

[bumpskier]

I'm assuming this is not an I-Force Taco? I have the Trailhunter, which is an I-Force, and I'm wondering if it can be flat towed as well? Specifically, I know I would need a driveshaft disconnect, but would I need two disconnects, one for the front and one for the rear driveshaft? Very concerned about the brake regeneration that comes back through the driveshafts.

 

[jkcerruti]

Leo, thank you for your contribution. I am in the process of converting my 2024 Tacoma Limited to flat tow. My parents converted a 2024 4Runner earlier this year, so I understand the drive line, brake and diode process. Can you share which diode's you bought? When I search for 2024 tacoma on etrailer, they do not offer Variable LED Diodes. I found a 2 Diode Variable LED Diode roadmaster kit on their site, but it says not compatible with my vehicle. I assume we probably have the same taillights. (do you have a power lift gate?)

Sure thing. I have a blue Ox tow bar (7500 lbs) and used a Gen Y Hitch to achieve the appropriate height level between the truck and RV. I also added anti-rattle brackets at both places. It's a little overkill everywhere, but that’s me.

I used the front D-Ring shackle kit from Rough Country as baseplates for the Tacoma. It has a super clean look and is efficient.

Disclaimer here. This route isn’t for everyone, as the kit is designed for “recovery purposes” only and not for towing. That freaks people out, but I figured if they rated to be used during recovery, potentially stuck somewhere, and using a winch and other forces to pull/recover the truck; I figured I’d be okay. Nonetheless, I also asked some friends who happen to be engineers and enjoy doing complex math for a living at a company that sends rockets to space. They looked at the mounting locations, the material used, size of hardware, towing angles, and force used while towing and did not see a problem with my application. Again, it is not for everyone, and that is the risk I am taking, I am aware. Oh, super cheap too! $150 instead of $500+ for actual baseplates. I personally hate the look of baseplates, again that's me.

Anyhow, for brakes, I have the RVi breaking system, and I installed their battery charger +. The system works well, and it's neat to see everything on a tablet.

For wiring, I tapped into my taillights at the rear with diodes for variable-voltage LED lights. When I did it, I had to build my kit, but etrailer just came up with a kit that has everything.

I can't think of anything else. As I mentioned in the first message, you don’t have to do anything to your steering, as it doesn’t lock.

The driveshaft disconnect was sourced from a superior driveline in Iowa. I don’t need to say this, but this is the most important thing of the entire set up.

I hope this helps you. Let me know if I can answer anything else. I was almost a victim of selling the Tacoma to get a Jeep, but I'm glad I'm stubborn and made it work. It sucks there is a not tons of info out there in getting Tacomas flat towed, but many people have done it.

 

[jkcerruti]

@Leo319 I also have a call out to Superior Driveline. Do you know if they sent you a steel or aluminum drive shaft? My 24 Tacoma Limited has an Aluminum driveshaft.

Thanks,

Jaye

 

[Leo319]

Hey

Leo, thank you for your contribution. I am in the process of converting my 2024 Tacoma Limited to flat tow. My parents converted a 2024 4Runner earlier this year, so I understand the drive line, brake and diode process. Can you share which diode's you bought? When I search for 2024 tacoma on etrailer, they do not offer Variable LED Diodes. I found a 2 Diode Variable LED Diode roadmaster kit on their site, but it says not compatible with my vehicle. I assume we probably have the same taillights. (do you have a power lift gate?)

this is what I bought

RM38FR

Roadmaster Smart Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Wiring Kit for Variable Voltage LED Tail Lights

And yes, I have the power lift gate

 

[Leo319]

@Leo319 I also have a call out to Superior Driveline. Do you know if they sent you a steel or aluminum drive shaft? My 24 Tacoma Limited has an Aluminum driveshaft.

Thanks,

Jaye

I ended up with steel shaft, I talked in length with Bill and discussed the differences. He assured steel was as good as aluminum.

I have not read negative reviews on them, but I might be the first. I had issues with them balancing my shaft, when they sent it to me, it was not balanced well and it would vibrate at different speeds. After troubleshooting with Bill, I had to send back the shaft with my own yokes (they would not provide theirs despite giving them the measurements and thoughts of being “included” in it) which took about two weeks without a truck.

My advice is to send them your yokes before you place the order so they can balance the shaft with your yokes on it. Hope that makes sense.

 

[jkcerruti]

thank you @Leo319! did you install the disconnect lever? where did you place it?

 

[Leo319]

thank you @Leo319! did you install the disconnect lever? where did you place it?

I did! It works flawlessly despite of what you read online. Key is taking your time installing the mechanism on the shaft/diff. It is not complicated at all.

I placed it by the front right seat mount. I screwed up the first try, but second try came out good. All sturdy and functional. I’ll try to snap a picture later this week…

 

[Miqie]

Curious, what kind of mileage do you get towing the Tacoma?

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