Flat Towing/ Tow Bar

[SByota]

Whose flat tows their desert truck? I generally drive my Tacoma to trips, but once a year a beg/borrow/steal a trailer to drag it to KOH. I’m too cheap to buy a trailer and store it to use it once a year. Considering going the flat tow route this year.

Tow vehicle, 2003 1500HD Silverado tows the Tacoma on a car trailer just fine.

Desert truck. 1999 Tacoma 4wd on 35’s. Long travel, cage etc. It is an auto, so I will definitely have to un bolt the rear driveline, front should be fine with the t case in neutral.

Any tips or insight? Things you have learned or tow bat recommendations.

Truck in question.

 

[Klever]

I vote drive it LOL. Or just rent a U-haul flatbed once a year. Easier than flat towing it etc.

 

[Motiracer38]

I flat tow the Jeep behind the motorhome, auto trans with manual Tcase in neutral. I can't see it or feel it and only once forgot to unlock the steering wheel and only noticed when the drag marks on the dirt came into view. Make sure you have enough caster and a have decent alignment and it should be fine. Don't try to back up, most I got was 3 feet before the wheels cranked to the side. i never used brakes and hooked up the magnetic lights to look half way legal.

 

[WW_RANGER_X]

It's a loaded situation as far as proper setups and legalities go (i put together flat tow setups at work). Simplest way to go is running a Blue Ox or Roadmaster tow bar (i like the Falcon 2 from Roadmaster) and convert the bar to truck adaptors to their "offroad bumper adaptors", you'd just have to weld on D ring mounts on your toyota bumper somewhere. Just a reminder, In CA, anything heavier than 1500 lbs is required to have a supplementel braking system which could be annoying and exspensive. Most people who flat tow jeeps and small trucks just risk it and opt out of the braking system, but it is a Law. Lighting, you can go with Roadmaster's universal wiring kit (part# 154) which comes with a 4 flat plug and wiring diodes. You could also do what Elliott does and run those magnitized rear tail lights. Harbor Freight sells a bluetooth kit which is kind of nice. I've done about 30 of these setups so far, if you have more questions just ask.

 

[Doubleggregg]

u haul auto hauler trailer ~$55 a day or their new toyhauler trailer ~$85 a day would be my opinion. just sucks having a daily rental for when its just sitting especially if your camping for week

Gregg

 

[desert_steve]

Or get a pair of stock rims/tires and rent a uhaul dolly ($60/day)? Just do the tire swap in the desert.

(VS renting a trailer from uhaul for $100/day)

 

[badlinesgoodtimes]

Flat towing sucks tell your friends....

I've got a falcon tow bar. Both Trucks have tabs off the frame that @the_fablab_ cut and welded on for me... and The mounts on the tow bar are custom.
- hook up tow bar ,
- Tow lights,
-Safety cables.
-pull the drive shaft on the rear
-make sure the hubs are unlocked,
-Key needs to be left on so the steering wheel doesn't lock. So I disconnect the battery. which reminds me need to just install a boat switch.
- put truck in neutral ( for short distance tows to and from storage yard Ill leave DS plugged in)
Flat towing behind Tundra is also fine with out the brake assist but you can feel it back there more than the Motorhome.

Backing up never heard of her. Makes things pretty interesting when choosing gas stations and parking lots.

I have a trailer now too but flat towing makes it pretty simple. Far away Wheeling trips or if I was going to be going far without the motor home I'd prefer trailering.

 

[badlinesgoodtimes]

As for tire wear Ehhhh, I figure I'm gunna stick through the side wall or run over some ones pallet nails before I run out of tread on either of these piles of parts.