Can you flat tow a Toyota Yaris? Read To Find If the Answer is Yes!

Can you flat tow a Toyota Yaris? Not knowing the answer may affect your towing plans and vehicle choice. Our article provides a clear, straightforward explanation. Read on to ensure your towing approach aligns with the Yaris’s capabilities.

Usually, smaller vehicles are ideal for flat towing. Since they’re lighter and smaller, they can help you move about once you reach your destination. 

The answer to “Can you flat tow a Toyota Yaris?” is yes, depending on the year. 

According to Toyota, you cannot flat tow a Toyota Yaris produced after 2020 due to the transmission’s design. Older Toyota Yaris can be flat towed. 

Is it possible to flat tow a Toyota Yaris?

Yes, it is possible to flat tow a Toyota Yaris with your motorhome. But, it would help if you considered some factors. 

The Yaris has existed in the North American market since 2003 under the name “Echo.” Then, it changed to Yaris in 2007, both as a hatchback and sedan. 

Thanks to its optional manual transmission, the Yaris is known as cheap and reliable.  

A manual transmission is essential for flat towing because it fully disengages the clutch. So, you can flat tow a Toyota Yaris as long as it’s a manual. 

If you want more technical data on the Yaris, you can look it up as the Vitz, the international name. 

Flat towing vs. other towing methods

The Toyota Yaris (or the older Echo models) are excellent options to tow on all four wheels because they’re light. You can flat tow them if they’re a manual transmission and produced before 2020. 

If this isn’t the case, there are other options you can have if you want to tow a car. The first choice is a tow dolly. 

Tow dollies are an excellent alternative to flat towing. This way, the vehicle doesn’t have four wheels on the ground; instead, it has two. 

In the case of front-wheel-drive vehicles, such as the Toyota Yaris, this is ideal. This way, the transmission doesn’t suffer any unnecessary damage.  

The vehicles that you can flat tow are fewer. Few manufacturers allow dinghy towing because the towed vehicle could suffer damage. 

So, another alternative is trailer towing. However, this is a bit more cumbersome, as you have to look after the trailer once you arrive. 

Do you need a manual transmission or four-wheel drive?

Besides “Can you flat tow a Toyota Yaris?” many others ask whether you need a manual transmission or four-wheel drive. The answer is, more often than not, yes!

A manual transmission is essential for flat towing because it allows you to disengage the drivetrain. 

Rear-wheel drive vehicles can be flat towed, but some might need an extra step in disengaging the drive shaft. Finally, those with four-wheel drive need a transfer case. 

A transfer case acts as a link between the front and rear driveshafts. So, while you can engage 2WD and 4WD thanks to the transfer case, the benefit is that you can also disengage them entirely, allowing you to flat tow a vehicle. 

However, that doesn’t mean you can flat tow all vehicles with a transfer case and a manual transmission. Toyota advises that you don’t flat tow the 4Runner or Tacoma.

Most Toyota vehicles require either a tow dolly or a flatbed trailer. Some models you can flat tow include the Rav4 with a manual transmission, from 2001 to 2005, as long as you don’t exceed 55 mph. 

Implications for the Yaris hatchback

The Toyota Yaris hatchback produced between 2007 and 2018 is ideal for flat towing. To do so, you need a small amount of equipment and accessories, which include an adequate tow bar and base plate. 

However, it’s important to note that you can’t flat tow vehicles for extremely long distances. It’s ideal to drive them occasionally to allow for adequate movement of the steering components. 

According to Toyota, you cannot flat tow a Toyota Yaris with an automatic transmission, regardless of its production year. Doing so could lead to extensive damage to the drivetrain.

Towing capacity of an RV

The Toyota Yaris doesn’t weigh a lot. At most, it will weigh 2,500 lbs, which is a light load for most RVs and motorhomes. 

There are several motorhome classes, and choosing the right one can be critical to having the best towing experience. 

Class A motorhomes are usually the biggest you can find. They’re more luxurious and powerful, though extremely thirsty. 

Given their size, Class A motorhomes can tow anywhere from 5,000 lbs to 10,000 lbs. So, they can make easy work of a Toyota Yaris. 

Class B motorhomes are smaller and have the best economy. However, they have less power and can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

Finally, Class C motorhomes are larger than Class B and can tow a small vehicle, as their towing capacity ranges from 3,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs.

Insights on dinghy towing

Dinghy towing is a popular activity. It allows people to have an extra vehicle more maneuverable than an RV or motorhome. 

However, it’s a practice that can seriously damage your tow vehicle, affectionately known as “toad,” if you don’t do it right. So, there are some insights that you can consider. 

Some tow vehicles might require you to keep their engine running. This condition is due to lubrication. 

Some engines provide the necessary lubrication for vital components in the transmission. For this to happen, it needs to be running. 

Another aspect to consider is the top speed. Most manufacturers, including Toyota, set the speed limit at 55 mph. 

It’s best to read the driver’s manual to ensure you comply with the top speed. 

Finally, you might need aftermarket driveshaft decouplers and transmission lubrication pumps. These accessories are primarily for four-wheel-drive vehicles. 

These extras could be vital in keeping your vehicle safe when flat towing. 

Conclusion to Can You Flat Tow a Toyota Yaris?

The Toyota Yaris is a popular flat-tow vehicle because it is light and cheap. So, once you reach your destination, you have an excellent car to move about town. 

Can you flat tow a Toyota Yaris? Yes, as long as it’s produced before 2019 and has a manual transmission. If you have this vehicle, then you don’t need any modifications. 

A manual transmission is vital as it allows you to disconnect the transmission entirely. This way, you will ensure it doesn’t get damaged. 

You can flat tow other vehicles, but it’s vital to check the manufacturer’s guidelines. In the meantime, now you know you can flat tow a Toyota Yaris, and what are the conditions to do so?