Best 2 Wheel Drive Automatic Trans Trucks to Flat Tow

timmac wrote:
Well I found a really clean 2010 4x4 ford ranger with automatic at a dealer, I also heard the computor has to be reflashed for flat towing.

How old of a 4x4 automatic truck do I have to buy that just flat tows with out dealer work to be done..

What does the owners manualsay

dicknellen wrote:
Bassically you need to find a 4x4 with a transfer case that can be shiffted into netural manually not electronic. Most Chev & GMC's still had this when Ford went electronic.

Not quite sure what year models of Chevy and GMC you're referencing but, ours is an '11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended cab and, it's got electronic T/C shifting. Rotate the shift knob all the way counter clockwise and hold it, and "N" will appear. Done.
Scott

Fellow moderator over in Toy Haulers flew to Texas from California to save a bunch on a used Truck. He's spoken highly of his experience dealing with these guys. https://www.texasdirectauto.com

Bassically you need to find a 4x4 with a transfer case that can be shiffted into netural manually not electronic. Most Chev & GMC's still had this when Ford went electronic.

timmac wrote:
Thanks for the replies, did not know the driveline disconnects were a pain to maintain, yes a 4x4 would be better but here in Vegas very few used low milage 4x4 midsize/small trucks for sale but many 2 wheel drive is available all day long, right now I know of only 2 good used 4x4 midsize trucks and the dealers want $8,000 more vs a 2 wheel drive.

Local driveline shop will do the work for $1400..

Also I understand some newer 4x4's cant be flat towed, is that correct..

Well that's gonna happen. Yes, you'll be paying a bit more for 4WD models but, as has been explained numerous times, the bennies FAR outweigh the costs, at least in my opinion. Besides, don't limit yourself to local dealers. ESPECIALLY IN VEGAS!!!!!!! For us, it becomes hunt or a mission. If we want something specific, year/make/model/color/engine/trans etc. and it's not found on Craigslist close to us, guess what, we expand the search.

We've gone to other states to purchase cars/trucks/motorcycles and even our motorhome. Now some, don't want to go through so much bother. They look and simply make due with what they find near them. That's fine, do what makes you happy. We just make road trips from this sort of thing and, we get WHAT WE WANT, and quite often, it's at a phenomenally reduced price 'cause many sellers will sort of "reward" you for traveling the distance.

Scott

Well I found a really clean 2010 4x4 ford ranger with automatic at a dealer, I also heard the computor has to be reflashed for flat towing.

How old of a 4x4 automatic truck do I have to buy that just flat tows with out dealer work to be done..

Thanks for the replies, did not know the driveline disconnects were a pain to maintain, yes a 4x4 would be better but here in Vegas very few used low milage 4x4 midsize/small trucks for sale but many 2 wheel drive is available all day long, right now I know of only 2 good used 4x4 midsize trucks and the dealers want $8,000 more vs a 2 wheel drive.

Local driveline shop will do the work for $1400..

Also I understand some newer 4x4's cant be flat towed, is that correct..

I also had a drive line disconnet on a 2wd pickup and had problems with it and would never do again. Since then every car, suv or pu we have owned has been towable 4 down without modifications. I have checked and the 2019 ford ranger 4x4 is towable 4 down w/at.

georgelesley wrote:
We had a automatic trans truck we pulled when we full timed for three years. I would not suggest a driveline disconnect. I spent too much time under the truck getting it to work. Get a 4x4 that has a transfer case that can be put into neutral.

BTW, I had ours installed by a local mechanic, and finally took it to the factory where it was made and they reinstalled it and the problems persisted.

IMHO drive line disconnects suck and had a similar experience. get a 4x4
bumpy

When I was Rving with a Motor Home I was flat towing a 2010 Ford Ranger, 2 wheel drive, manual tranny. I installed the base plate, extra lights in the tail light enclosures, and a ready brake system. The only way to flat tow it is to install a driveline disconnect. So a Tacoma 4x4 I'm not sure about, I'd have to get the owners manual out do some reading. Not sure about the new Rangers, or Chevs.