If towing becomes necessary, Toyota recommends having the Toyota Tacoma transported by your Toyota dealer or a professional towing service using a wheel-lift type truck or a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment helps reduce the risk of damage to the drivetrain, steering, suspension, and body.
Always use an appropriate safety chain system during towing and follow all applicable state, provincial, and local laws governing vehicle recovery and transport.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Certain symptoms may indicate a transmission or drivetrain problem that requires professional attention before the vehicle is moved.
Contact your Toyota dealer or a commercial towing service before attempting to tow the vehicle if either of the following conditions is present:
- The engine is running normally, but the vehicle does not move when a drive position is selected.
- An unusual or abnormal sound is heard from the vehicle or drivetrain.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front
When the Toyota Tacoma is lifted from the front, place a towing dolly beneath the rear wheels so they do not remain in contact with the road.
From the rear
When the vehicle is lifted from the rear, support the front wheels with a towing dolly before transportation begins.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions whenever the vehicle is being towed or transported.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in loss of vehicle control, component damage, death, or serious injury.
When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Transport the vehicle with all four wheels raised completely off the ground. Towing with any tires in contact with the road may damage the drivetrain or related components and could also cause the vehicle to change direction unexpectedly, creating a risk of an accident.
4WD models
Transport 4WD models with all four wheels raised off the road surface. Allowing the tires to remain in contact with the ground while towing can damage the drivetrain or related components and may cause the vehicle to become unstable or move unexpectedly on the towing equipment.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
- Do not tow the vehicle from the rear with the engine switch off. The steering lock mechanism is not designed to hold the front wheels straight while the vehicle is being towed.
- When one end of the vehicle is raised, make sure sufficient ground clearance remains at the opposite end. Inadequate clearance can allow the body, bumper, underbody, or other components to contact the road and become damaged during transport.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not use a sling-type tow truck. Supporting the vehicle in this manner can damage the body and exterior components.
Using a flatbed truck
When transporting the vehicle on a flatbed truck, secure the tires with proper tire-strapping belts. Follow the flatbed truck manufacturer's instructions for the correct positioning and use of the straps.
To limit vehicle movement while it is being transported, apply the parking brake and turn the engine switch off after the vehicle has been positioned and secured on the flatbed.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck cannot be obtained during an emergency, the vehicle may be towed temporarily using cables or chains attached securely to the designated emergency towing eyelets. Emergency towing should be limited to hard-surfaced roads, for no more than 50 miles (80 km), and at a speed below 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must remain inside the towed vehicle to control the steering and operate the brakes throughout the towing procedure.
Before emergency towing begins, confirm that the wheels, drivetrain, axles, steering system, and brakes are all in suitable operating condition.
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, only the front towing eyelets may be used for this emergency towing procedure.
Emergency towing procedure
1. Attach the towing cables or chains securely to the designated towing hook or hooks.
Route and position the towing equipment carefully so that the cable or chain does not rub against or damage the vehicle body.
Type A
Type B
2. Enter the vehicle that will be towed and start the engine before towing begins.
If the engine cannot be started, turn the engine switch to ON so that the required vehicle systems can operate as intended during towing.
3. 4WD models: Set the front-wheel drive control switch to "2H" before the vehicle is pulled.
4. Move the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off before towing.
While towing
If the engine is not running, power assistance for both the steering and braking systems will be unavailable. The steering wheel will require more effort to turn, and greater pedal force will be needed to slow or stop the vehicle.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions throughout the emergency towing procedure.
Failure to follow these precautions may cause towing equipment to fail or the vehicle to become uncontrollable, resulting in death or serious injury.
While towing
- When towing with cables or chains, accelerate smoothly and avoid sudden starts or abrupt pulling forces.
Sharp loads can place excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables, and chains. If any of these components breaks, detached or broken pieces could strike nearby people or cause serious vehicle damage and personal injury.
- Do not turn the engine switch off while the vehicle is being towed. Doing so may allow the steering wheel to lock, preventing the driver from steering the vehicle safely.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Never attach towing cables or chains to suspension components. Use only the designated towing attachment points specified for the vehicle.
Rear recovery points (if equipped)
WARNING
The rear recovery points are intended only for recovering a vehicle that has become stranded in off-road terrain or on a slippery surface. Do not use these recovery points to tow trailers or other objects behind the vehicle, and do not use them for normal on-road towing.
While towing
- Position the recovery vehicle in line with the stranded vehicle so that the recovery strap pulls straight toward the rear rather than applying a substantial sideways load to the recovery points.
- Do not apply a pulling load to the recovery points that exceeds the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
- Before beginning the recovery pull, remove slack from the recovery strap so that the load is applied in a controlled manner rather than as a sudden impact.
- Keep all bystanders well away from the recovery path and maintain a safe distance from both vehicles and the tensioned recovery strap while the operation is underway.
