FLAT TOW A 200??? ARE YOU CRAZY??? I AM!

[jkilcullen]

All the dolly/trailer mentions are great for occasional use. But when your traveling for months on end and constantly disconnecting to pull into a park or event and then a second party needs to get out and now hook up the dolly or trailer to the rig that was on it is a NIGHTMARE. All of this usually after 8 hours behind the wheel and before you get to a site where you likely have an hour or so of setup to start feeling "at home" flat tow is what works period. Honestly think I'm giving up on the idea of towing my 13 just because I can't even get it into neutral with the 08 instructions. Looks like the 80 is going to have to live forever!!!! And if going to a single destination that makes much more sense to have a 200 will just succumb to either leaving the bus at home and driving the 200 or using the trailer and ditching it somewhere.

 

[Muddy Bean]

You have a sweet tow rig too!!! You and I would probably get along really well lol! Trailers are an even bigger pain. In fact none of the rv resorts I've stayed at yet have a place to park/store a trailer. The dolly is definitely smaller as white stripe said and it usually isn't an issue storing it, but a trailer is a different story. Honestly, I really do think if we end up with a 200, I'm going to at firstborn just let it idle in neutral while we tow and shut it off when we reach our destination. Even driving all day isn't going to put a huge dent in the wallet in terms of idling gas. Next step might be to have manual hubs on the front and maybe somehow rig them for the rear too?

 

[jkilcullen]

You have a sweet tow rig too!!! You and I would probably get along really well lol! Trailers are an even bigger pain. In fact none of the rv resorts I've stayed at yet have a place to park/store a trailer. The dolly is definitely smaller as white stripe said and it usually isn't an issue storing it, but a trailer is a different story. Honestly, I really do think if we end up with a 200, I'm going to at firstborn just let it idle in neutral while we tow and shut it off when we reach our destination. Even driving all day isn't going to put a huge dent in the wallet in terms of idling gas. Next step might be to have manual hubs on the front and maybe somehow rig them for the rear too?

I agree we likely would get along real well and thanks. It's a 2002 Newmar 39' with a Cat 330. Remodeled in 2016, I picked it up for a song Would love that 500 hp tho lol. Are you saying put trans in neutral and leave tcase in high? Or trick t-case into neutral and leave trans in park like assuming you do on your 100?

 

[Muddy Bean]

I'm wondering if I left trans case in HI and trans in neutral and let truck idle so things are being lubed if that would suffice. Scary I know...

 

[jkilcullen]

I'm wondering if I left trans case in HI and trans in neutral and let truck idle so things are being lubed if that would suffice. Scary I know...

well let me know if you end up trying it... :/ Not sure I would

 

[bjowett]

I'm willing to build a system that will use Aisin hubs on all four wheels. The front semi float bearings can be retained, or converted to full float. The rear will probably require a FF conversion. The issue will be price including R&D costs... I can crunch some numbers if there is serious interest.

 

[Muddy Bean]

That would certainly do the trick. Unlock all four hubs and hit the road. Would also give the secondary benefit of turning the Fulltime AWD system into a part time system if desired. I'd be very interested in your number crunching. I'm active on the 100 forum and there's going to definitely be a slow but steady migration of 100 owners to the 200 series and I know a system like this would interest many of them.

 

[linuxgod]

I wonder if the cost would ever pay for itself in gas mileage by using it to run the LC in RWD-only mode?

 

[tabraha]

Man, you guys get a 200 flat towable and I'd consider moving from my big 5th wheel setup to a motorhome then.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Linux,

This was discussed at length in the 100 forum. The consensus was no, it would take forever to recoup the costs with the minor fuel mpg savings. This would solely be for personal preference, fun factor, and flat towability which has value to me.

 

[1MAC]

Can it be done with driveshaft disconnects installed?

Drive Shaft Coupling

 

[Muddy Bean]

Probably, but I'm not 100% sure I want all that hardware and cables under there because I will Trail ride my 200.

 

[jkilcullen]

I'm willing to build a system that will use Aisin hubs on all four wheels. The front semi float bearings can be retained, or converted to full float. The rear will probably require a FF conversion. The issue will be price including R&D costs... I can crunch some numbers if there is serious interest.

I have interest in the lock-out concept...Not sure how serious my interest would be until I know a rough estimate of cost but if it meant easily flat towing the 200, a slight MPG gain around town driving and the ability to get off the trail with a broken CV... I'd be very tempted!

 

[jkilcullen]

OK!!!! Been a little while here... @Muddy Bean did you end up trying anything crazy yet, sell the 100? Planning to be in the Chicago area anytime soon, maybe a meet and greet to motivate this movement

@bjowett I am ready for the kit! Sold my 80, still cant get the my 2013 into transfer case neutral to try and launch it into a million pieces and don't like what I am finding available in the 100 series market. If we can devise this system I will trade in my '13 on an '18 and stay a 2 vehicle family for a while. Which would be a great change of pace.

Anyone else have anything additional to add here? It's looking like this happens or a good chance I am leaving cruiser community for a bit and buying a Raptor this fall. Not my ideal choice but its a capable rig with specific instructions on how to Flat tow (an easy to use menu option completed through the dash, thanks FORD) Not sure why Toyota can't get this done but it's been years. I mean even the 80, 100 and 120 series were described as unable to flat tow and we know now you can because it's been done by many for many years with no documented failures I can find. Heck I even considered buying the wife a new 4runner trail premium (manual tcase) but even that is being condemned on the respective forums as unable to be towed 4 down. I'm almost willing to chance it on a 4runner, I would if I owned it already that's for sure. The case is probably relatively cheap and available used.

Sorry for the rant, just kind of upset with the lack of options out there and with RV season upon us I am becoming increasingly disappointed in my decision to sell the 80

 

[TeCKis300]

How about the Land Cruiser Prado, aka GX470 with floor shifted transfer case?

I know it's not the big daddy Land Cruiser. But it would compare favorably against an 80-series no? Way cheap in the used market for a cherry one, and no worse than a 4Runner, because it is a 4Runner. With a big motor.

This one done up by Metaltech looks great.

 

[jkilcullen]

How about the Land Cruiser Prado, aka GX470 with floor shifted transfer case?

I know it's not the big daddy Land Cruiser. But it would compare favorably against an 80-series no? Way cheap in the used market for a cherry one, and no worse than a 4Runner, because it is a 4Runner. With a big motor.

This one done up by Metaltech looks great.

Yup GX is on my radar, but honestly just something about them I don't love. I loved my 80, I love my 200. And I really like the idea of a 100 series but want a super clean NON-NAV model and I live in the wrong part of the country to be finding one local and clean. GX just feels cheaper and they are EVERYWHERE which further instills it isn't the rig for us. I really appreciate the help though and if I did see my unicorn GX (green/tan or white/tan, KDSS, NON-NAV) it would be tough to pass up.

But staying on track the goal here is to get the 200 freewheeling in tow. Wonder if any of our foreign friends could help, is towing 4 down a more prevalent activity in other parts of the world?

 

[bjowett]

I'll build you whatever you want, just say the word and give me a down payment.

 

[jkilcullen]

I'll build you whatever you want, just say the word and give me a down payment.

Call me 8157904276

 

[Blake Loggins]

Anyone have any luck figuring out a way to flat tow the 200 series? Has anyone tried the 17 step process to get the transmission in Neutral?

 

[jkilcullen]

Anyone have any luck figuring out a way to flat tow the 200 series? Has anyone tried the 17 step process to get the transmission in Neutral?

Tried to get the 200 into transfer case neutral a about a dozen times with 0 success. Love the truck and have kept it for my wife but bought a Ford Raptor as my daily/to flat tow for vacation and haven't looked back. Love Toyota and the Land Cruiser is my go to zombie apocalypse platform but until Mr T decides to cooperate with a (from the factory) flat towable setup, my 200 will be my last Toyota. I can't vouch for this Ford enough in that respect. Literally a couple presses of buttons on the steering wheel and it's in "flat tow mode" and yes it's a real thing built into the software for the specific purpose of disengaging the trans and transfer case appropriately, unlocking the steering and allowing you to close and lock the doors without any battery disconnects, driveline mods or funny business. This ability is available on all newer full size Ford truck platforms with 4WD. So if an SUV is needed an Expedition could be used in the same fashion. I hate to even bring up a comparison between a land cruiser and an expedition but the reality is for 95% of owners it is a suitable replacement. That said I don't see one reaching 200k miles without major repairs the way my 200 has, but I've also realized the majority of brand new 200 buyers aren't taking their vehicles beyond 100k miles. With 18k driven miles on the Raptor and approx 10k towed miles I can't think of a platform that would work better for my family at this point in our lives. Bonuses I've found for those who consider a Raptor as a 200 replacement, seats are incredibly more supportive, Ford sync still sucks... but is an upgrade to Toyota's 10 year old UI and android auto is great, 450 hp and 16 MPG is a good compromise, I miss the cool box but keep my Indel B installed in the back seat area with the single passenger second row folded and can still comfortably fit 4 adults in cabin, childrens car seats fit better in back row, having a truck bed has come in handy, integrated bed ramps are genius, aftermarket support is incredible. Factory diff lock and tons of drive modes for offroad are a nice touch, I don't trust it the way I have any of Land Cruisers but it hasn't given me reason to not.