TOYOTA AND SCION “DINGHY TOWING” GUIDE
Written by gary on January 18th, 2009People often want to know if Toyota cars and trucks can be towed. The answer is both ”Yes” and “No”….
Owners who often travel by motor home or recreational vehicle like to pull a smaller vehicle behind their rig for agile economical transportation once they reach a destination. The smaller vehicle is called a “dinghy“, like a small boat carried on a yacht.
RV and motor home travelers will have an ideal “dinghy” towing a Yaris, Corolla, Scion or Matrix because of their size and weight. The easiest Toyotas to dinghy tow are front-wheel drive vehicles with manual transmission because they can be towed with all four wheels on the ground. The next easiest are front-wheel-drive Toyotas with automatic transmission. To avoid transmission damage only “dinghy tow” these vehicles with the front wheels riding on a dolly (a small, light two-wheel trailer).
Rear-wheel-drive Toyotas and four-wheel-drive Toyotas cannot be “dinghy towed”. This means Toyota trucks, SUV’s, Matrix AWD, and RAV4 4WD are not recommended dinghy vehicles….
Here is a Dinghy Towing Reference Guide:
VEHICLE TOW/MANUAL TRANS. TOW/AUTO.
Avalon N/A w/dolly only
Camry(incl. Solara,Hybrid) Yes w/dolly only
Celica Yes w/dolly only
Corolla Yes w/dolly only
Yaris/Echo Yes w/dolly only
Matrix Yes w/dolly only
Prius N/A w/dolly only
Rav4 Yes w/dolly only
Highlander(incl. Hybrid) N/A w/dolly only
Sienna (2WD) N/A w/dolly only(2WD Only)
Scion(Xd, Xb, &Tc) Yes w/dolly only
Precautions for Dinghy Towing:
- Manual Transmission gear lever must be in Neural for dinghy towing
- Ignition switch turned to ACC position to unlock steering wheel, 4 wheels down
- All accessories off
- Parking brake released
- After towing, start vehicle and let idle for 3 minutes before driving
18
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Can a 2008 2wd sequoia be rear wheel up on tow dolly, towed as a dingy vehicle without damage to drive train?
21
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To Ryan
With Rear Wheels Up On Tow Dolly, You Will Be Fine
Gary @Toyota-Alabama
13
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Great post! I’ll subscribe right now wth my feedreader software!
4
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Hi,
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Just bookmarked this url to my digg Account, will visit again.
Thanks,
Linda Michael
24
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can a 2009 toytota tacoma 4×4 with automatic trans. be towed 4 down?
24
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Towing 4 down is not recommended by Toyota.
23
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Hi, Looking at a 2010 Highlander. Can it be towed 4 down? it is not 4wd.
30
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The 2010 Highlander is not recommended by Toyota for 4 down towing.
23
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Really useful post, thanks man
31
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I have an AWD Sienna. Can it be towed on a dolly? Should the rear drive shaft be disconnected? Do you know if anyone makes a kit? Thanks for the help.
Jack,
There are modifications that would have to be made. For starters the driveline, front and rear would have to be disconnected or another option is installing a auxiliary transmission pump to lubricate the transmission. There are manufactures that make disconnecting axles and driveshafts just for these purposes although I don’t think Toyota recommends. The process requires removing the OEM components and installing new parts. All these options void factory warranties if it hasn’t expired. I wouldn’t recommend any of the above. The easiest option is a car trailer, no messing with the vehicle or future vehicle.
25
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If I get either an axle lock or a transmission pump, can I then tow a 2008 automatic Yaris with 4 wheels down? I really don’t want to hassle with a tow dolly.
26
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Toyota’s official position is that only maual transmission be towed 4 wheels down, otherwise, use a tow dolly.
12
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I currently own a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4X4 5-spd manual which we have towed with our RV for the past five years on a tow-dolly. My oldest son is learning how to drive and 2 of 3 vehicles that we own have manual transmissions. We are looking to replace the Suzuki with a 2008 Toyota RAV4 4X4. Can we tow the RAV4 with two wheels down and NOT have to make any modifications?
17
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Does Toyota allow the Yaris (manual transmission) to be towed 4 wheels down?
18
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Yes, according to the guide manual yaris can be towed 4 down.
19
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I own a 2008 Toyota Yaris it has a standard transmission (stick shift) and I tow it behind my Winnebago with all 4 wheels down. I’ll I do is put the transmission in neutral, parking brake is in off position, and the ignition is on accessary (this unlocks the power steering). I start my car up every time I stop are unhook for 3 minutes to keep the car battery charged. I have a Roadmaster Tow Bar and the front Roadmaster brackets for my Toyota Yaris are hidden, which I like when the tow bar is not hooked up. The Brackets cost me $238.00 from Roadmaster. I’ve had no problems towing my Toyota. John R. Presho
19
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Thank You John
15
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Gary I have a 2008 Highlander with front wheel drive and I believe it has four wheel drive when I push the “snow” button near the shift changer. My question is can i tow it on a tow dolly with the front wheels up and the back down. What other procedure is needed to tow it safely. Great website! Thanks
15
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Hello Bud,
If your Highlander has a 4WD emblem on the tailgate in the lower right corner, it is indeed a 4 wheel drive model. If the emblem is not there, it is most likely a 2 wheel drive.Toyota says you can tow the 2 wheel model with a dolly front wheels up. For the 4 wheel drive, you’re probably not going to like the answer. The only approved way Toyota recognizes for your all wheel drive is to put the vehicle on a car trailer and pull it behind a motor home, etc.,no wheels down.
Visit Toyota-Alabama often, we put interesting news and Tutorials all Toyota daily. Thanks
Gary
17
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Toyota does not recommend it.
20
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Any comments on using a tow bar to pull a manual scion tc?
22
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According to towing guide, should be fine