Toyota Rav4

[Harvey9]

Just wondering if anyone tows with a Rav4? I'm looking at both the 4 and 6 cylinder, I don't want to be underpowered. I realize the 4 cyl would be much better on fuel. I'm towing a 72 Trillium.

Thanks
Harvey

[Jon Vermilye]

I tow an Escape 17B (3000 lbs. loaded) with a 2010 RAV4 (V6 & tow package). I've made a number of posts - if you do a search for "RAV4" you will find mine as well as others.

[honda03842]

I recently read a Consumer Reports evaluation of the RAV 4. They really like it. They said the V6 only gets 1 mpg less than the V4. Every one I know that's owned a Rav 4 has been pleased with it.

We tow a Scamp 16 with a Honda CRv 4 cylinder, a siimlar rating to the Rav 4's 4 cylinder. Our trailer weighs 2400 lbs including a 200 lb tongue weight. We just went over the hump to Pahrump, NV, a 7 mile 6-7% grade without issue.

As well on I-10 we were passed by a small fifth wheel being towed by a large truck on the 6% - 10 mile grade because we were obeying the speed limits. Shortly there after we passed him going up thatsame hill because we could maintain the speed limit and he could not.

A 4 cylinder has been enough for us with our trailer though we never drive beyond 60 mph and do not exceed speed limits, posted or of our tires. Today was a rather windy day and if weren't a little behind schedule may not have driven, yet the Honda and trailer did not feel like they were being pushed around at all.

[fusedlight]

We got a 2008 Rav4 V6 about a month ago. Our first trip out west, 4,021 miles total, had us between 18 to 24 MPG. No trailer that trip...but soon...soon...a renovated 16' Scamp should be behind us! We love Ravi!

[honda03842]

Not a competition but perspective because I really like the Rav4, when driving cross country without our trailer we get between 28 and 30 mpg with our CRV. Unless you have a giant tow vehicle I expect it's reasonable to expect a 5-7 mpg drop in fuel mileage and while driving slower speeds.

Ithink the RAV 4 with V6 is a particularly good vehicle for a Casita 16 or possibly 17.

[fusedlight]

I just emailed my dealer and gave him my VIN. He verified that I DO have the tow package. 3,500 pounds on my Rav4 V6! If you are unsure about your Rav4, just pass the VIN on to a Toyota dealer and they can tell you if you have the extra transmission cooler installed.

[Bobbie Mayer]

It was pointed out to me in an earlier thread that the Rav4 tow package does not include a hitch or any wiring, so you might want to keep that in mind when comparing.

[fusedlight]

...to continue with Rav4 questions.

I do have a Toyota-installed receiver and 4-prong electrical plug. I am wondering, though, should I get a load-balancing hitch? I'll be pulling a 16' Scamp.

[Greg H]

Rav 4's are not that big, you may need a WDH to pull a 16'er.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by fusedlight

...to continue with Rav4 questions.

I do have a Toyota-installed receiver and 4-prong electrical plug. I am wondering, though, should I get a load-balancing hitch? I'll be pulling a 16' Scamp.

Make sure both Toyota, the hitch manufacturer, and the trailer manufacturer approve WDH before using one. They transfer a lot of torque through the chassis of the vehicle (and trailer), and are not recommended on many unibody vehicles.

[Mike Magee]

Gary, you'll probably need trailer brakes with the 16' Scamp, which means a 7 prong plug. As for WD hitches, if your tongue weight is pretty close to the 350 lb. limit, it may sag your back end quite a bit. Air bags might be a possibility, not sure. I think the best candidate for a WD hitch for the Rav might be the new Anderson No Sway Hitch, because it has pliable bushings (on the ends of the WD chains) that can 'give' and can take some of the sudden shocks out of bumps and things. Such a system would be better than using, say, an Equal-i-zer hitch with its solid, non-giving square bars, and possibly better than a spring bar type hitch.

[honda03842]

Harvey,

WHat does your Trillium weigh? WHat's its tongue weight?

[Daniel V.]

Originally Posted by Harvey9

I realize the 4 cyl would be much better on fuel.

...only while not towing, and in city driving. I have owned both an older underpowered 4-cyl RAV and a V6 RAV and ended up doing similar gas mileage with both while towing because the 4-cyl works harder and fuel consumption increases more.

The V6 has a lot of power for its size (269 hp), very nice to have while towing - do a test drive and you'll understand.

Also be careful of not comparing different tow vehicle models strictly based on number of cylinders. There are very capable 4-cyl's out there.

[MCDenny]

I've got a 2007 RAV4 v6 with tow pkg. It pulls my 2500# boat just fine. Mileage about 22 without tow, 15 or 16 with.

The owners manual says not to use WD hitch.

On mileage figures, they reflect on the driver as much as the car. Check fuelly.org for vehicles you are interested in. Note the spread of mpg reports for the same car?

[fusedlight]

@McDenny - thanks for that -

Woot - We just told a seller we're going to buy his used Scamp! Woot! Woot! Woot!

[Mike Magee]

Now you've gone and done it. You're going to have tons of fun!

[Harvey9]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Harvey,

WHat does your Trillium weigh? WHat's its tongue weight?

Norm

The Trillium weighs 1300 lbs, tongue weight 150 lbs, according to the spec sheet. I suspect it goes more than, plus the regular stuff that goes in a trailer. I know you have a CRV, I tried one and it felt underpowered, maybe it was that vehicle. Anyway I'm in no hurry and will keep looking.

Harvey

[Mike Magee]

Well in that case, Harvey, I'd suggest the V6. It's the same engine as in my Highlander, and it is very good for towing.

I had a V6 in a Ford Windstar, it didn't have much oomph but got the job done towing. Went to a Mercury Mountaineer with V8, thought it was much more powerful. But when I got the '08 Highlander with 270HP V6, it put the Merc V8 to shame. That Toyota V6 with 5 speed auto is great for towing.