Flat Towing 1996 Toyota Tacoma 2WD w/ Manual Transmission

Question:

can I flat tow a 1996 Toyota Tacoma 2wd, std. cab with manual transmission?

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

Generally speaking, manual transmission equipped vehicles can usually be flat towed with no problems if they're rear wheel drive. None of my reference materials specifically address the Tacoma before the 2000 model year, so you'll need to consult the owner's manual or Toyota for confirmation.

If you confirm that you can flat tow the vehicle without harming it, you'll need base plates, a tow bar, safety cables a lighting solution and a supplemental braking system as required by law in most States and Canadian Provinces.

I really like the Blue Ox tow bar/base plate combination. I find that the connection system between the two is well thought out and easy to use. For base plates, use part # BX3728 and the # BX7380 Blue Ox Alpha tow bar, which includes the safety cables. For a lighting, I like a magnetic mount kit like the # RM-2120 from Roadmaster. A magnetic mount kit is super easy to install and remove, and won't require cutting or splicing any wiring. For a supplemental braking option, I really like the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. There are other less expensive braking systems available, but they're much more complicated and time consuming to install. The Patriot won't require hours of expensive labor, it's basically a drop in place, plug and play option.

If you click the provided link, you can see some helpful FAQ articles and a product demonstration video.