What Toyota models can be flat towed?
Very few Toyota models are officially flat-towable (four wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome in current guidance. Most modern Toyotas require towing with a dolly or another setup. Always verify with the owner's manual and Toyota's towing guidelines for your exact year and market.
Understanding four-down towing and Toyota's stance
Flat towing, or four-down towing, means towing a vehicle with all four wheels resting on the road while the engine remains off. Toyota’s published guidelines are conservative, and for most of today’s lineup, four-down towing is not approved. The risk of transmission damage or other drivetrain issues makes it essential to consult the official towing chart for your specific model year and country before attempting any four-down towing.
Models historically approved for four-down towing (older generations)
Below are examples of Toyota models that have shown four-down towability in various guides or owner communities for older generations. These are not current model-year recommendations, and even among older years, towing rules can vary by market and exact transmission configuration. Always verify with official Toyota documentation for your year.
- Toyota Corolla (manual transmission versions in certain older generations)
- Toyota Matrix (manual transmission)
- Toyota MR2 Spyder (manual transmission)
- Toyota Celica (manual transmission in older generations)
The list above reflects historical documentation and owner guidance for older Toyotas. It does not indicate that these models are currently approved for flat towing in modern markets. Always consult your year-specific Toyota towing guide and owner’s manual before attempting any four-down tow.
What to do if you plan to tow a Toyota behind a motorhome today
If four-down towing is not approved for your Toyota, or you’re unsure, consider safer alternatives and a clear plan. The steps below outline a practical approach to confirm towing suitability and explore options.
To guide your planning, consider the following steps:
- Check the owner’s manual and Toyota’s official towing guide for your exact model year and market to confirm whether four-down towing is approved.
- Review any special transmission requirements, such as neutral position, engine shutdown procedures, or mandatory lubrication/neutrality steps, if four-down towing is permitted.
- If four-down towing isn’t approved, plan to tow with a front-wheel-dolly (tow dolly) or use a trailer. This method is widely accepted for most modern Toyotas behind a motorhome.
- Consult a certified RV technician or towing professional to install the correct baseplates, tow bar, and any required transmission or driveline adaptations, ensuring compliance with both Toyota and RV manufacturer guidelines.
With today’s lineup, many RVers choose a tow dolly or trailer to tow Toyota models safely. However, if you are considering a four-down setup, confirm all model-year specifics with Toyota and rely on trained technicians for installation and procedure.
Bottom line for RVers
For most current Toyota models, four-down (flat) towing is not approved. If you require flat towing, you will typically need to use a tow dolly or trailer, after confirming with official documentation for your exact year and market. When in doubt, defer to the manual and consult a Toyota dealer or RV towing specialist to avoid drivetrain damage.
Summary
In today’s market, flat towing Toyota vehicles behind a motorhome is limited and largely confined to older, manual-transmission models. The majority of current Toyotas require towing with a dolly or trailer. Always verify with the vehicle’s owner’s manual and Toyota’s official towing guides for your specific year and region, and seek professional advice before attempting any four-down towing.
Are 4Runners flat towable?
No, most Toyota 4Runners cannot be flat towed without modifications, as many have transmissions that require the engine to be running for lubrication and can be severely damaged if towed with all four wheels on the ground. To flat tow one, you must have a manual-shift transfer case with a "neutral" position and accept that Toyota does not certify this method, or you will need to install a driveshaft disconnect to prevent driveline damage. Newer 4Runners (2020 and newer) are specifically excluded by Toyota from all flat towing methods.
Flat towing requirements
- Manual transfer case with a "neutral" position: Some older models with a manual-shift transfer case can be flat towed, but only if the transfer case has a neutral position, which is not available on all 4Runner models.
- Driveshaft disconnect: This is the most reliable method. It involves a device or a manual process to disconnect the rear driveshaft, which prevents the transmission from being damaged by the spinning output shaft when the engine is off.
- Accept the risks: Toyota does not certify any of its vehicles for flat towing, and doing so may void your warranty.
This video explains how to prepare a 4Runner for flat towing: 59sStuff and ThingsYouTube · Nov 15, 2022
Risks of flat towing
- Transmission and drivetrain damage: If you flat tow a 4Runner with a non-manual transfer case or without a driveshaft disconnect, the transmission and drivetrain can be severely damaged due to a lack of lubrication.
- Speed and distance limitations: Even with the correct setup, long-distance towing can cause wear on the transfer case and other components, so it's essential to observe speed and distance limits.
Can you flat tow a Toyota Highlander?
No, you cannot flat tow a Toyota Highlander. Doing so can cause serious transmission and drivetrain damage because the vehicle is not designed for all-wheel-down towing. The approved methods are using a flatbed trailer or a tow dolly that lifts all four wheels off the ground.
This video explains how to use a tow dolly to safely tow a Toyota Highlander: 56sU-Haul Trailer Hitches And TowingYouTube · Nov 16, 2021
Why flat towing is not recommended
- Transmission and drivetrain damage: Attempting to flat tow with the wheels on the ground can cause severe damage to the transmission and other drivetrain components.
- Hybrid systems: This is especially true for hybrid models, where flat towing can lead to hybrid battery system damage.
- Manual override: You should always disengage the parking brake before towing, regardless of the method used.
Approved towing methods
- Flatbed trailer: The most recommended method is to load the entire vehicle onto a flatbed trailer.
- Tow dolly: If a flatbed is not available, a tow dolly is an acceptable alternative, as long as it lifts all four wheels off the ground.
This video explains the equipment needed for flat towing, including tow bars and base plates: 55sRV Inspection And CareYouTube · May 8, 2024
How to ensure safe towing
- Consult the owner's manual: Always check your vehicle's owner's manual for specific towing instructions and limitations for your model year and trim.
- Verify all-wheel drive (AWD) vs. two-wheel drive (2WD): Be aware that towing guidelines can vary depending on whether your vehicle is AWD or 2WD.
- Double-check after securing: Make sure the steering wheel is locked and the parking brake is off.
Can a Toyota Tacoma be towed behind an RV?
No, a Tacoma cannot be flat towed behind an RV according to Toyota's official guidelines, as this can cause serious transmission damage. However, some owners tow them using workarounds like disconnecting the driveshaft, but this voids the warranty and comes with risks.
This video explains the basics of flat towing and what equipment you need: 1mDeb's RV ServicesYouTube · Jan 30, 2025
Why it's not recommended
- Transmission damage: According to Toyota, flat towing a Tacoma (with four wheels on the ground) can cause the transmission to burn up due to lack of lubrication.
- Warranty void: Attempting to flat tow a Tacoma against manufacturer recommendations will likely void your warranty.
Workarounds used by some owners
- Driveshaft disconnect: The most common workaround for both 2WD and 4WD models involves disconnecting the rear driveshaft from the differential. This prevents the transmission from being turned while the vehicle is being towed.
- Transfer case neutral: For 4WD models, some owners have put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in Park, but this is not officially supported and carries risk.
You can watch this video to see an example of a Tacoma owner explaining their experience with flat towing: 58sMuscle AmericanYouTube · Jul 9, 2024
Alternatives to flat towing
- Use a car hauler trailer: This is a safer and recommended method, as all four wheels are off the ground.
- Use a tow dolly: For 2WD models, a tow dolly can be used to lift the front wheels off the ground. However, many Tacomas are not compatible with dollies.
Is a Toyota Land Cruiser flat towable?
No, you cannot flat tow a Toyota Land Cruiser (or any modern Land Cruiser) because it is not designed for it and doing so can cause serious transmission damage. The owner's manual explicitly states the vehicle is not designed for "dinghy towing" with all four wheels on the ground.
You can watch this video to see the new Toyota Land Cruiser being towed with a trailer: 54sThe Fast Lane TruckYouTube · Aug 25, 2024
Why flat towing is not recommended
- Transmission damage: Many four-wheel-drive vehicles, including the Land Cruiser, need continuous lubrication to the transmission when being towed, and this doesn't happen if the wheels are on the ground.
- Owner's manual warning: The official owner's manual for the 2024 Land Cruiser says it is "not designed to be dinghy towed (with all 4 wheels on the ground)".
- Transfer case issues: Putting the transfer case in neutral does not solve the problem because the gears are splash-lubricated. The gears will not turn, and the splash lubrication will not occur, leading to damage.
Alternative towing options
- Car hauler trailer: The safest way to transport your Land Cruiser is on a car hauler trailer.
- Tow dolly: This is another option for towing, but check the owner's manual and manufacturer recommendations for your specific model year to ensure it's approved. Some older Land Cruiser models or specific configurations might have different requirements.
Important considerations
- Always check the owner's manual: Before towing any vehicle, always consult the owner's manual for specific instructions and restrictions for your model year and drivetrain.
- Warranty concerns: Even if you try to find a way to flat tow, be aware that doing so may void your warranty, especially since the manufacturer has explicitly stated that the vehicle is not designed for this purpose.
