Casita Spirit 17 and a Rav4

[deryk]

Hello...

I have a 2008 Rav4 V6 with tow package with towing capacity of 3500lbs, and am seriously contemplating going to look at an 08 Casita Spirit Deluxe!17. now the owner said that the weight was around 2300lbs and when they were packed for along trip the weight was about 3400lbs. Now sadly since I'm still in the working world a week is about my longest time off and with my little gypsy vardo I built, weighed it once for goin away and i had about 150lbs of gear, food, water, chair and table... so I'm thinking it wouldn't be hard keeping the weight under 3k lbs since I'm by myself.

Any thoughts or opinions if this is reasonable?

thanks

deryk

[Francesca Knowles]

I think the road-loaded 08 Spirit can be a bit hefty in the tongue weight department...any idea what that number is on the unit you're looking at as opposed to the tongue weight limit for your RAV 4?

Francesca

[Eddie Longest]

Check out the Casita 17 weights on the spreadsheet.
Eddie
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html

[Steve Hammel]

Looks like you'll be able to handle that weight with no problem.

[deryk]

yeah, according to the sheet they are running high....500+ pounds on one... now the seller said his weighed around 320 tongue weight but that sounds like the basket on the back of the trailer might have had a generator and fuel back there to lessen the tongue weight.... i think he said trailer unpacked tongue weight was around 270. i didn't see in my manual tongue weight except its 10% of the 3500lb tow capacity.

now how heavy do people usually travel for weekend trips?

[Jon Vermilye]

My 2010 RAV 4 (V6 & Tow Package) is rated at 3500/350. I tow an Escape 17B that has a dry weight of 2100 lbs, actual weight loaded for a trip is 3100 lbs & a tongue weight of 340 lbs. I do have to do some planning to keep the tongue weight under 350 lbs...

By the way, if you are thinking about a new RAV4, the good news it the rear door will open up, with the spare under the rear deck. The bad news is they are dropping the V6 - I suspect the tow ratings will take a hit.

[deryk]

Hey John, how does yours handle with the weight? with my small trailer with around 180lb tongue weight my rear drops down a few inches...did you add airbags to the rear springs?

[Jon Vermilye]

I use a weight distribution hitch & no air bags. I've made a couple of short tows without the WDH & wasn't happy!

[deryk]

yeah ive heard they really are a plus when towing, somehow spreads the load to both axles... i guess without it your rear sank a few inches...mine drops about 6 with my little trailer....thats why i thought of the air bags to stiffen it some.

[Glenn Baglo]

I'm running about 315 lbs on the hitch and I use a WDH. My hitch receiver is a Hidden Hitch, which according to them is rated 4,000 lbs towing capacity with the RAV4 V6 Sport. That's 500 lbs. more than Toyota says. But, should note that my RAV manual says WDH is not recommended. However, everything that is important in the manual is highlighted in yellow, and this recommendation is not highlighted.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I'm running about 315 lbs on the hitch and I use a WDH. My hitch receiver is a Hidden Hitch, which according to them is rated 4,000 lbs towing capacity with the RAV4 V6 Sport. That's 500 lbs. more than Toyota says. But, should note that my RAV manual says WDH is not recommended. However, everything that is important in the manual is highlighted in yellow, and this recommendation is not highlighted.

A new high in the rationalization department! You sound just like my husband...

Francesca

[Glenn Baglo]

Ya, well, it's kinda like Jeep recommending that you not drive their vehicle off-road.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Ya, well, it's kinda like Jeep recommending that you not drive their vehicle off-road.

Jeep says that in their owner's manual???

That settles it- I'm sticking with my '97 4 cyl Kia Sportage for all my towing/off roading/overlanding needs.


Francesca

[Glenn Baglo]

Have you read YOUR manual?
I think KIA recommends that you NOT drive the vehicle.

[deryk]

Lol... well im starting to think the 17 is bordering too heavy ...perhaps the 16 would be a better fit. I did read a posting that the concenses was the 17 kinda surpasses most minivans and smaller suv's, and I have 4 more years of my Rav4 till its paid off and hopeing to get a few years of no payments lol

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Have you read YOUR manual?
I think KIA recommends that you NOT drive the vehicle.

Them's fightin' words, Bub!

I double-dog dare you to come over here and say that...that is, if your TOY-yoda can make it that far...

Francesca

[Glenn Baglo]

Oh, it will make it. Have just over 30,000 miles on it ( 2008 ).
Would be interesting to work out the cost per mile, given that it has had every service called for.
KIA has worked on its quality control and reliability over the years. I'll give you that, but not my RAV.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by deryk

Lol... well im starting to think the 17 is bordering too heavy ...perhaps the 16 would be a better fit. I did read a posting that the concenses was the 17 kinda surpasses most minivans and smaller suv's, and I have 4 more years of my Rav4 till its paid off and hopeing to get a few years of no payments lol

the 16 ' or another brand/model of trailer that is not know as being as heavy weight on the tongue might be a wiser choose. I am all for towing with smaller tugs but having done so for a number of years now I know I would personally feel better not having the headache of having to worry to much about overloading the tongue.

[deryk]

Thanks Carol, yeah I luv my Rav4 and dont want to kill it lol. I guess its back to looking again.

thanks

deryk

[Carol H]

Deryk the good news is that there are a number of other trailer options :-) Look at the Trailer Weights in the Real World is always a good place to start to get a good idea as to what ones to look for. Seems to me that when the bathroom is at the front of the trailer the weight appears to go up on the tongue - although I know we have a party here who has suggested it really doesnt. May have to do with all the extra storage space that comes with having a front bath and whether its used or not that makes the difference. A 16' Scamp side bath is often lighter on the tongue than other Scamp 16' layouts. There are also 16' Casita's layouts that are lighter and you might also look at the Escape 17' as its a bit lighter on the tongue than what you were looking at but it may be closing in on your limit as well. But I know there are a far number of folks with RAV4's pulling the Escape 17'.