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01-13-2013, 05:43 PM
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#121
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Senior Member
Name: Jared
Trailer: 1984 19' scamp
Kansas
Posts: 1,610
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The issue is that while the vehicle is capable of towing the weight, if the suspension was stiff enough to handle max tongue weight, 95% of the owners (that will never pull a trailer), will bitch about how "harsh" the ride is. Sadly, even pickups are heading this route, as most are being used to get the groceries and haul a bicycle, rather than heavy hauling/towing.
Air bags help the vehicle handle the max capacity better. That's why I recommend people do that first with soft suspension, otherwise a wd hitch is putting excessive weight on your trailer and front axle.
One thing that annoys me, often you can't get the factory tow package with the base model, but the stripped base model can handle the most weight. I had this problem with my pickup, because the tow package includes electric adjustable mirrors, so I would have had to jump up a model, and an interior package to get it. I went aftermarket.
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01-13-2013, 05:52 PM
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#122
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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I do understand the "soft ride" thing- that's exactly why I have adjustable air shocks on my 1965 Falcon station wagon. I'll bet you can't even BUY those for these rigs...I s'pose that air bags are considered the improvement in that department.
My only beef here is the claim of hitch capacity to be achieved with a "tow package" that does not include the suspension upfits necessary to achieve it.
Back to work now!
Francesca
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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01-13-2013, 06:16 PM
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#123
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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The hitch is at the other end.
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01-13-2013, 07:07 PM
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#124
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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She is changing the oil. In my book she gets big points for that.
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01-13-2013, 09:06 PM
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#125
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles
My only beef here is the claim of hitch capacity to be achieved with a "tow package" that does not include the suspension upfits necessary to achieve it.
Francesca
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Well Francesca as Toyota is no long offering it, it would seem Toyota agrees with you
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01-13-2013, 09:30 PM
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#126
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Senior Member
Name: deryk
Trailer: 2012 Parkliner 2010 V6 Nissan Frontier 4x4
New Jersey
Posts: 2,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carol H
Well Francesca as Toyota is no long offering it, it would seem Toyota agrees with you
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Makes ya wonder huh?
deryk
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01-13-2013, 09:34 PM
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#127
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Toyota is no longer offering it because they no longer offer the V6 as an option on the RAV4. The market for the RAV4 is mainly those looking for fuel efficient small SUVs. That and CAFE are setting the standards. Those of us who tow are a very low priority.
In a few years, you may find that you have no choice but to buy a pick-up truck if you need a new tow vehicle. And, it may drive itself, avoiding gravel roads...
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01-13-2013, 09:39 PM
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#128
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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01-13-2013, 10:37 PM
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#129
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Senior Member
Name: deryk
Trailer: 2012 Parkliner 2010 V6 Nissan Frontier 4x4
New Jersey
Posts: 2,085
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Thoroughly disgusting, I skimmed through it because some of it was greek to me lol but what about the rv industry? I dont want a big truck to haul my ParkLiner with lol... because to get the high mpg they are looking for its gonna be smaller engines, not geared for towing... maybe time to buy something and keep it for 20 years lol
deryk
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01-13-2013, 10:48 PM
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#130
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Senior Member
Name: Jared
Trailer: 1984 19' scamp
Kansas
Posts: 1,610
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I'm sure the gas savings will be more than offset by the gain in cost for each vehicle. It's going to be clown cars, or 3/4 ton pickups. You can forget all wheel drive, Subaru better start engineering front wheel drives.
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01-13-2013, 10:51 PM
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#131
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Senior Member
Name: deryk
Trailer: 2012 Parkliner 2010 V6 Nissan Frontier 4x4
New Jersey
Posts: 2,085
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They could just switch over to all diesel vehicles... better mpg and higher towing ability
deryk
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01-13-2013, 11:01 PM
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#132
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Senior Member
Name: Jared
Trailer: 1984 19' scamp
Kansas
Posts: 1,610
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deryk
They could just switch over to all diesel vehicles... better mpg and higher towing ability
deryk
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epa says they're too dirty. I wish they would, look at what europe has.
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01-14-2013, 06:51 AM
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#133
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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This is key info from a towing guru which really cuts to the chase regarding this WDH subject on lightweight vehicles and camper. The info will suprise most.
Can-Am RV :: HH 37-2
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01-14-2013, 11:51 AM
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#134
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MC1
The info will suprise most.
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Surprise most? Seriously? they do after all install and sell high end hitches for a living.
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01-14-2013, 12:09 PM
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#135
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Doesn't surprise me as the article reflects my experience with my RAV4 and WDH. Would you rather put your faith in somebody who doesn't sell hitches?
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01-14-2013, 12:36 PM
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#136
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,075
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Deryk,
My owners manual shows how many inches from the center rear wheels to where the ball should be. Does yours show that? We haven't got our hitch yet. I am really hoping that with our lighter trailer with the coupler lower to the ground we will have no need for WDH or air help. If we do I see a new transmission for our Honda.
Is there not a better rise you could use that does not put the weight so far from the car?
Nancy
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01-14-2013, 12:39 PM
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#137
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 1,578
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Doesn't surprise me either, the canamrv.ca links and videos have been tossed around for a number of years now.
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01-14-2013, 12:43 PM
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#138
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Senior Member
Name: jim
Trailer: 2022 Escape19 pulled by 2014 Dodge Ram Hemi Sport
Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,710
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared J
epa says they're too dirty. I wish they would, look at what europe has.
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Gee, I wonder what the trucks and buses and trains use, clean diesel fuel? I doubt it!!!
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01-14-2013, 12:59 PM
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#139
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,075
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Wow, I guess it has been a while since we bought a draw bar. I thought they were cheap. We have a couple sitting in the garage, too bad you can't borrow different ones from people to see which would work best for you.
our Scamp has always been up close to our tow vehicle with a short draw bar. Noticed parked to another same size Scamp their draw bar was further back. Never gave it much though until now. When I looked at the variety of draw bars it is obvious that we have a short one.
Will be interesting to see how this all works out for you.
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01-14-2013, 01:01 PM
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#140
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler (B1700RGH) 1979
Posts: 5,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye
Well, Toyota did solve the problem - the 2013 RAV4 is no longer available with the V6 and according to the new Trailer Life "Guide to Towing" no longer has a tow rating at all.
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One thing about the Trailer Life list that is certain is that it is incomplete. It's a good place to start, but authoritative information comes from the manufacturer.
In this case Toyota USA appears to be offering only preview information. Toyota Canada specs show a towing capacity of 1500 pounds, which doesn't surprise me for the engine and vehicle type. That's not enough for most of our trailers, but a trailer which does fit will not likely have enough tongue weight to be a problem needing a WD system fix.
__________________
1979 Boler B1700RGH, pulled by 2004 Toyota Sienna LE 2WD
Information is good. Lack of information is not so good, but misinformation is much worse. Check facts, and apply common sense liberally.
STATUS: No longer active in forum.
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