Flat towing a manual 95 series Prado behind motorhome

[keiran537 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close keiran537]

Hi all,

We've got a 2001 Prado (95 series) that we were planning to tow behind our 40 foot bus motorhome (with a Pro-Tow Predator a-frame). I assumed that we'd just be able to put the manual transfer case into neutral and we'd be good to tow. But I've read a few posts about the Toyota transfer case, which suggest that this may not be possible without disconnecting the output shafts (due to a particular design of the Toyota transfer case and needing the driveshaft to turn for the transfer case to be lubricated). Does anyone know if the output shafts and transfer case will get lubrication if the transfer case is in neutral and the engine turned off? Would the spinning output shafts fling enough oil around in the transfer case and keep everything lubricated?

Note: I have tried contacting Toyota for advice, but their standard recommendation is to simply not flat tow. If it's not possible to flat tow, then no worries, we'll buy a tandem trailer to transport the Prado behind our bus. But flat towing is our first option, as it's often tricky to find the room in caravan parks to park a 40 foot bus, a car and a tandem trailer . Flat towing is legal in Queensland and the Pro-Tow Predator a-frame is ADR certified and rated to 3500kg.

Thanks,

Keiran

[Guest Close Guest]

A gearbox exploded parts diagram would answer this better. I personally would think the neutral disconnection would be further up the drivetrain line, and as thus driveshafts turning = transfer case turning.. Maybe a gearbox rebuilder could offer some more insight.

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

Hi all,

We've got a 2001 Prado (95 series) that we were planning to tow behind our 40 foot bus motorhome (with a Pro-Tow Predator a-frame). I assumed that we'd just be able to put the manual transfer case into neutral and we'd be good to tow. But I've read a few posts about the Toyota transfer case, which suggest that this may not be possible without disconnecting the output shafts (due to a particular design of the Toyota transfer case and needing the driveshaft to turn for the transfer case to be lubricated). Does anyone know if the output shafts and transfer case will get lubrication if the transfer case is in neutral and the engine turned off? Would the spinning output shafts fling enough oil around in the transfer case and keep everything lubricated?

Note: I have tried contacting Toyota for advice, but their standard recommendation is to simply not flat tow. If it's not possible to flat tow, then no worries, we'll buy a tandem trailer to transport the Prado behind our bus. But flat towing is our first option, as it's often tricky to find the room in caravan parks to park a 40 foot bus, a car and a tandem trailer . Flat towing is legal in Queensland and the Pro-Tow Predator a-frame is ADR certified and rated to 3500kg.

Thanks,

Keiran

The transfer case oil pump runs off the input shaft from the gearbox, if you put the transfer in neutral and flat tow, the pump won't be turning.