tow a rwd car on a tow dolly

[Butch50]

Has anyone here towed a rear wheel drive car with the rear wheels on a tow dolly? I have a rear drive that I would like to start towing but it is not rated for four down. I would make it so front wheels would be unable to turn from side to side.

Thanks

[Butch50]

Well trailer it is. I'll be pickup an Aluma 7816 tandem axle trailer tomorrow. It is rated for 7000# GVWR. I could not find a base plate to fit the FRS so this made it the answer for me

Thanks for all the replies.

[lryrob9301]

Being a retired powertrain systems engineer for Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA, I can assure you Toyota puts a blanket statement in ALL their owner's manuals that states their vehicles cannot be flat towed behind a motorhome, and have done so for the last several years.

If it is a manual transmission, 2WD, FWD or RWD it can be towed 4down. I do not recommend towing it on a dolly with the rear wheels on the ground since the vehicle will be at enough of an angle as to pool the transmission lubricant toward the rear of the transmission leading to a possible lack of lubricant being splash circulated to the front bearings on the main shaft and auxiliary shaft. It can be towed 4down if you can find a base plate from a quality manufacturer to fit the car.

[time2roll]

Butch50 wrote:
It is a 2013 Scion FRS manual, it says it can't be flat towed.

While the Scion is probably great... I would focus on trading or acquiring a vehicle that can be flat towed.
Will save a lot of headaches.

[Y-Guy]

Both the 2013 & 2013 online owners manuals say "Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground) behind a motor home." So I would check your actual owners manual. Then you know where Toyota stands, if you choose to skip that then you also know your on the hook for any damages. If Ed_Gee is right and others are doing it without issue that's great, just know the facts to make up your mind.

[enblethen]

Trailer only option for your Scion!

[RetiredRealtorR]

Take it from a guy who's been in the car business 30+ years -- DO NOT tow a RWD car backwards on a tow dolly.

If you've got to take it with you, use a full trailer.

[Ed_Gee]

If you Google search around on this issue, you'll probably find out that this is a Lawyer created issue, not a technical issue, and that many RVers are successfully flat towing the Scion.... the 2013 FRS included.
PS: the 2014 Flat Tow guide shows it as flat towable.....

[Grit_dog]

If it’s rwd and it says no towing 4 down then that is due to the trans not being able to handle it (generally from a lubrication standpoint). So your only options are driveshaft disconnect which isn’t viable or trailer it.

[Butch50]

rjstractor wrote:
From seeing your other post it seems to be a pretty cool little car with very low miles. I suppose you could tow it backwards on a dolly, but two potential problems I see are low ground clearance- smacking the air dam on the ground, etc, and that car might have directional tires that are designed to spin in only one direction. I would trailer a car like that.

That is what I'm thinking. I just didn't want hassle of stowing a trailer at a campground. I have no problem handling a trailer after towing 5ers for years.

[rjstractor]

From seeing your other post it seems to be a pretty cool little car with very low miles. I suppose you could tow it backwards on a dolly, but two potential problems I see are low ground clearance- smacking the air dam on the ground, etc, and that car might have directional tires that are designed to spin in only one direction. I would trailer a car like that.

[Butch50]

enblethen wrote:
What is make, model and type of transmission?

It is a 2013 Scion FRS manual, it says it can't be flat towed.

[CA_Traveler]

Search here including the archives and you should find related posts.

[enblethen]

What is make, model and type of transmission?