Can 2002 Toyota 4Runner be Flat Towed behind Motorhome

Published 07/10/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms

(372)

$499.56

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(397)

$1577.69

Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs

(751)

$882.24

Roadmaster High-Low Adapter - 2" Hitches - 10-1/4" Rise/Drop - 10K GTW, 400 lbs TW

(1572)

$220.74

Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional

(754)

$1175.00

Universal Magnetic Tow Lights - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(200)

$64.30

Question:

I see your reccomendations for dinghy towing this vehicle yet the owners manual says it cannot be dinghy towed. Which information is valid? Do you have a work-around of some sort that makes towing possible? Is the owners manual being too conservative? Need to know so I can decide if I have to buy a new vehicle.

asked by: Pete

Expert Reply:

We've looked into this before and found that if you install a driveshaft disconnect on your 2002 Toyota 4Runner you can flat tow it but this is the only product for your vehicle we don't offer.

For a base plate for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 I suggest the Blue Ox kit # BX3736. This will directly accept their Alpha tow bar # BX7420 which includes the required safety cables, saving you that separate expense. For a lighting kit I suggest inexpensive magnetic lights like # TL21RK which are easy to install. All the available types of lighting/wiring kits are shown on a linked page.

For a braking system for the 4Runner you have several products to choose from, shown on another linked page, but there is not a whole lot of difference in price. Some, like the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO # SM99251, require a fairly involved installation but it is one-time installation. In contrast, a product such as the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR will install simply since it features wireless operation and it can be moved to your next towed vehicle since it is also fully portable. This is the unit I recommend and for the reasons noted above.

The last item you'll need is a high/low hitch adapter like # RM-048-10 which is often required to keep the connected tow bar level. It is important that the tow bar be no more than 3-inches above or below dead-level on either end to ensure it operates without binding.

I know this is a lot to digest so please feel free to send along any other questions or concerns.