09 RAV4 unstable

[MC1]

Hummmm. Torque steer has nothing to do with your situation.

Some of the Toyota 4 Runners have soft suspension and it appears to affect their performance. Could your Rav has the same dilemma ???

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by MC1

Hummmm. Torque steer has nothing to do with your situation.

Some of the Toyota 4 Runners have soft suspension and it appears to affect their performance. Could your Rav has the same dilemma ???

It could be the cobble stones on the Yellow Brick Road.
More likely it is RAV4 Limited soft suspension and torque steer ( as stated ).
A buddy was general manager of a Toyota dealership and told me that they had many customers opt for the four-cylinder because the quickness of the RAV4 V6 scared them. It you stomp on the accelerator while in a curve, it might just get away from you. I've experienced that and take it easy.

[Ken in Pa]

I don't buy that reason. My wife has a RAVA v6 limited. I is fast I give you that . Its very stable at any speed towing or not. We only tow a teardrop with it but loaded down with bikes and ect. we pull about 1600 lb. Does a real nice job but what do I know. Oh 2012
Ken

[redbarron55]

You might want to upgrade the shocks and struts for less than the cost of trading.
Bilstein shocks are usually stiffer and have better ride quality.
Bilstein Touring Struts & Shocks Reviews & Best Price- Bilstein Touring Class Shock Absorbers
Perhaps add airbags for the rear and other bits and pieces.
2009 Toyota RAV4 Performance Suspension | Shocks, Springs, Struts
I would look for stiffer shocks, air bag for the rear coils and larger anti roll bars.
Stiffer shocks would do most of the work.
I would also look into pulyurethane bushings for the anti-roll bars etc.
The RAV4 should be cheaper to upgrade than trade.

[Glenn Baglo]

Mine is Sport model, which I believe has a stiffer suspension than other models of RAV4. Also has 18 inch wheels. I use a WDH. Tows my 17B easily, without sway and I can boot the RAV and tow up to 65 mph on a short highway access ramp, to merge safely.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

The RAV4 should be cheaper to upgrade than trade.

Absolutely! also consider talking with a towing specialist (we have one here in Canada) who knows the ins and outs of towing issues like yours Melissa. You have a great vehicle. Hate to see you spend a pile of money for nothing.

[Bob Miller]

One Towing Specialist: quote:... "also consider talking with a towing specialist (we have one here in Canada)"

OK, now I understand, you are telling us that you only have one towing specialist in all of Canada and that's why your advice always seems to come from that one source.

Fortunately, in the lower 48 providences, there is a wider selection to choose from. LOL

As my Grandmother (Canadian - PEI) might have said, "When you only have one pony with a trick, you better stay with that one". LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Fortunately, in the lower 48 providences, there is a wider selection to choose from.

That's great news Bob. In the common interest of helping out Melissa with her towing issues could you post a short list of the more highly rated ones. Thnxs for your valued contribution.

[Mike Magee]

Having the stiffer suspension components installed might be relatively affordable (versus what you'd lose on trade). They should be readily available. There might even be aftermarket springs, shocks, struts, or whatever, that are stiffer than Toyota's.

[melissab]

Yes I have been mulling over upgrading the suspension. Just aggravating when you spend $24k on a vehicle I shouldn't have too

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by melissab

Yes I have been mulling over upgrading the suspension. Just aggravating when you spend $24k on a vehicle I shouldn't have too

And, you wouldn't have to if you bought the model that is equipped with stiffer suspension ( Sport V6 ).
Those buying Limited are likely looking for leather and a Caddy ride.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by MC1

That's great news Bob. In the common interest of helping out Melissa with her towing issues could you post a short list of the more highly rated ones. Thnxs for your valued contribution.

Well, for one there's is Riverside Hitch & Trailer on Indiana Ave in Riverside, CA, and Ballews Hitch Truck and RV Services on "M" Street in Tacoma, WA, both of which have fabricated custom hitches for me in the past with excellent results.
BTW: Both also show 5 star ratings, but I am sure that means nothing other than that they have happy customers.

But in as much as the O.P. is some 3000+ miles east of them, they just are not very convenient. I am sure, with a modicum of searching and asking here for recommendations, that she will be able to find a professional hitch fabricator/installer in her area.

I'm sure that it is a lot more difficult setting up to tow over specification, but we aren't talking about that here, and U.S. shops usually won't touch it anyway.

But, as complicated as that must be, maybe some of the out of work Rocket Scientists near Cape Canaveral will move into that field. LOL

[floyd]

One common problem not mentioned is a broken sway bar end or even the loss of a wheel weight.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by melissab

Yes I have been mulling over upgrading the suspension. Just aggravating when you spend $24k on a vehicle I shouldn't have too

Your vehicle is a top rated, reliable vehicle. The cost of trading vehicles on average is $5,000. and that does not include the cost of the upgrade to whatever vehicle you choose. Heavy duty shocks would be a small fraction of the cost and you are good to go.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

And, you wouldn't have to if you bought the model that is equipped with stiffer suspension ( Sport V6 ).
Those buying Limited are likely looking for leather and a Caddy ride.

Doesn't the Caddy have to ride in a golf cart ...or does he drive?

[MCDenny]

I put 100,000 miles on an 07 Limited V6 RAV. Good driving, very reliable vehicle.

I think the "soft suspension makes it unstable at highway speed" notion is ridiculous. If that were true all identical models would have the problem. 50,000 miles isn't that much either.

My two cents: have you gotten the carfax report? Maybe there was an accident that damaged the front suspension? Maybe there is something amiss with the differential causing engine torque to be improperly applied? You really need a good mechanic and a Toyota dealer that acknowledges there is a problem. Has a dealer mechanic driven the car at speed with you there to point out the problem?

Good luck.


Denny Wolfe
Wanderingourway.wordpress.com

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

And, you wouldn't have to if you bought the model that is equipped with stiffer suspension ( Sport V6 ).
Those buying Limited are likely looking for leather and a Caddy ride.

Those big old Caddy's from the past were soft and cushy rides but the newer ones are anything but. I have driven a couple and they now have a very Euro, tight ride which surprised me. There are a couple vids and photo's out there showing the late model Caddy's "showing their stuff" towing a trailer. very impressive.

[Andrew Gibbens]

Originally Posted by melissab

... the softer suspension found only on the limited ...

So in this context, Limited refers to the towing abilities?

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by MCDenny

I put 100,000 miles on an 07 Limited V6 RAV. Good driving, very reliable vehicle.

I think the "soft suspension makes it unstable at highway speed" notion is ridiculous. If that were true all identical models would have the problem. 50,000 miles isn't that much either.

My two cents: have you gotten the carfax report? Maybe there was an accident that damaged the front suspension? Maybe there is something amiss with the differential causing engine torque to be improperly applied? You really need a good mechanic and a Toyota dealer that acknowledges there is a problem. Has a dealer mechanic driven the car at speed with you there to point out the problem?

Good luck.


Denny Wolfe
Wanderingourway.wordpress.com

The problem with Carfax is you can not count on them to actually have all the repairs the vehicle may have had done on it. Even big ones. If someone does not put the cost of repairs through their insurance company and instead pays their good buddy down at the auto repair shop to do the work & that good buddy does not actually report the repairs it will not show up on a Carfax. Sad but true. A lesson a member of my family learned the hard way.

In regards to the RAV4 is it just me but have we not had several members report here previously that they have had to add air bags to the rear of their RAV4's due to the soft rear end & the amount it drops when trailer connected?

[Bob Miller]

CarFax... Don't shoot the messenger.....


CarFax report information will vary based on the states in which the vehicle is/was located. At the very least, "some" accident reports are listed from "some" states and it's hit and miss, but if you don't look, you will never know.


I always get a carfax on anything I am even slightly interested in buying because the History can be somewhat telling, even without accident reports.


Some clues: too many owners in a short period of time, sudden movements across states between owners, extended periods with low mileages recorded, multiple registrations for a "One Owner" vehicle and, of course, suspicious odometer issues/errors.


When I bought my 10 y.o. uber-lo miles Blazer I asked for a CarFax before making an offer, and it proved everything to be on the up and up.


Gotta say, it's not always that way....