Scamp 13 and RAV4 I4

[Jon Vermilye]

I found it interesting that in the list of additions to my 2010 RAV4 (V6) tow package, it did not include a additional or larger transmission cooler. They increased the alternator size, and the fan coupler. They did not include a hitch or trailer wiring...

[Bob Miller]

To find the real scoop on any Toyota question, contact their corporate customer service. What with law suits and recalls, they are very sensitive about customers getting correct info, which may be part the reason that it's hard to get a straight answer out of anyone at a dealership.

Now, While one would expect the transmission to last at least 150,000+ miles on a new car, towing at or over the limit, even with an added cooler, is sure to shorten that somewhat. Like maybe until just after the 60,000 mile warranty is expired..... Then the Yokes on the customer, as well as the repair bill.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Okay, so adding the cooler would not void the warranty. What about towing over the limit? Of course, that would be harder to prove…

That's true,
While in fleet we had a code instructor from GM relate this story...
A man who bought a new Camaro. He broke the transmission while under warranty.
The onboard computer revealed that he was approaching 115MPH in second gear when the damage occurred. The dealer denied coverage, but corporate paid upon appeal, citing that the warranty language did not specifically deny coverage.

I would never suggest intentional abuse of any product, but a buyer with anything close to reasonable claim will likely be covered.
You would not believe what I have seen covered on fleet trucks with abusive drivers!

One interesting point though...
It is common knowledge (and on the waiver) that both warranty and insurance will be voided if the event happens on a closed circuit race track while participating in a contest of speed against time or other drivers.
Which goes to your point and leaves us with one caveat....

To quote that famous philosopher KingFish ..
"Yes SUH Amos, Ya know da BIG print giveth and da fine print taketh away!"

So don't do this...

Trailer Racing Figure 8 - YouTube

[MarkyVasquez]

Floyd that's how I feel going through some of these major cities! Lol!


Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

What about towing over the limit? Of course, that would be harder to prove…

If you brake down on the highway while towing and call the 1-800 number to get it towed under the warranty your kind of at the mercy of the tow truck driver not to mention the size of the trailer he left sitting on the side of the highway

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Now, While one would expect the transmission to last at least 150,000+ miles on a new car, towing at or over the limit, even with an added cooler, is sure to shorten that somewhat. Like maybe until just after the 60,000 mile warranty is expired..... Then the Yokes on the customer, as well as the repair bill.

Could be true in some cases but amazingly you don't here of many.

In our case we towed a 2,500lb pop up and then a 4,500lb TT for many years with a 93 Nissan mini van. The van had 280,000miles on it with no tranny issues.

Our Infiniti sedan now has 150,000 miles on it and towed our 4,500lb, 23'TT for over 200hrs. The car/tranny works as new with no drive train problems. Still has the original factory universal joints in the IRS rear suspension.

Note... Before towing both vehicles had a technical review by a reputable towing specialist and a tranny cooler installed before towing.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

To find the real scoop on any Toyota question, contact their corporate customer service. What with law suits and recalls, they are very sensitive about customers getting correct info, which may be part the reason that it's hard to get a straight answer out of anyone at a dealership.

Now, While one would expect the transmission to last at least 150,000+ miles on a new car, towing at or over the limit, even with an added cooler, is sure to shorten that somewhat. Like maybe until just after the 60,000 mile warranty is expired..... Then the Yokes on the customer, as well as the repair bill.

We towed with a vehicle and had 225,000 miles on it when we traded it in. It was not an automatic but it never had a driveline failure, actually the clutch was the original. It was North America rated for 1500 lbs and we towed 2600 pound (Scamp 16) just about every where you can go.

I've had big powerful vehicles before we became RVers that never towed and needed a 'transmission cube' (like a flash cube).

We now have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, a Honda Odyssey. The added transmission cooler is huge. Our plan is to own this for 10 years, towing every year, on the road, at least over the past 14 years, for 7 months a year. I would be tremendously disappointed if Honda's transmission did not last 200,000 miles.

I talk to Honda nationally every so often, they know I tow and have never said a negative word about it. If I were them I would consider me and our Scamp an experiment.

I would always suggest a transmission cooler and trailer brakes.

[Bob Miller]

FWIW: In more and more locales, any trailers over 1500 lbs gross weight are required to have some sort of trailer brakes. That said, there are very few FGRV's that wouldn't meet that criteria going down the road.

[jennykatz]

The 2013 rav's and on are all 4 cylinder 2.5 litre I think 175hp there tow rating is 1500lb. Will they tow more probably,but the problem could be stopping ? The older 2012 and before v-6 models 3.5 litre could tow up to 3500lb .There have been a few snoozy owners having the v-6 rav towing 2500lb snoozy's around they get about 15-16 mpg towing .

We have an overkill vehicle a 07 Sequoia with a 4.7 v-8 with a 6500lb tow rating but only gets 14 mpg towing . I would like to get a 4 cylinder tow vehicle to tow my snoozy but my research is showing no such vehicle ??

[Bob Miller]

As there are none on the real weights list, how much does a Lil Snoozy weigh? Axle and tongue weights?
Thanks

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by jennykatz

The 2013 rav's and on are all 4 cylinder 2.5 litre I think 175hp there tow rating is 1500lb. Will they tow more probably,but the problem could be stopping ? The older 2012 and before v-6 models 3.5 litre could tow up to 3500lb .There have been a few snoozy owners having the v-6 rav towing 2500lb snoozy's around they get about 15-16 mpg towing .

We have an overkill vehicle a 07 Sequoia with a 4.7 v-8 with a 6500lb tow rating but only gets 14 mpg towing . I would like to get a 4 cylinder tow vehicle to tow my snoozy but my research is showing no such vehicle ??

I tow a 3010 lb (loaded) Escape 17B with a 2010 RAV4 Sport (V6 + Tow Package). The RAV4 has 101,000 miles on it, 56K towing. 25MPH highway, 15MPG towing. I've been happy with the combination, although I do avoid interstates, and tow at a maximum of 57-60MPH. I've towed both the East & Western mountains; one of the most interesting is going from Red Rock into Ricketts Glen State Park in PA - 2 mile 18% grade.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye

I've towed both the East & Western mountains; one of the most interesting is going from Red Rock into Ricketts Glen State Park in PA - 2 mile 18% grade.

Jon.... You didn't happen to see Brit Floyd when they played at Red Rock? I have the DVD of that concert. It is the best music based DVD I own.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by jennykatz

. I would like to get a 4 cylinder tow vehicle to tow my snoozy but my research is showing no such vehicle ??

Jim..... I too have researched a number of 4 cyl vehicles for towing. The one that stands out is the VW Jetta turbo diesel from a few years ago and the current model Passat. Even a properly set up Golf TD has much potential. You will easily get over 30MPG towing a glass egg with one of those 4 cyl TD's.

I have more data and towing test reports. Let me know if you would like more info.

Originally Posted by jennykatz

The 2013 rav's and on are all 4 cylinder 2.5 litre I think 175hp there tow rating is 1500lb. Will they tow more probably,but the problem could be stopping ?

Stopping is not an issue if your trailer has brakes.

[floyd]

One state has no stated requirement.
Three states have only a required stopping distance.
Thirty-nine states require brakes at or above 3000# (33 at)
Three states require brakes at 2000#
Three states require brakes at 1500#.
There is presently one (1) state which requires brakes at 1000 #

While it may be laudable to obey the law of the land, it is smarter to learn the laws of physics... Educate yourself and be responsible.
Get brakes when needed and drive safely.

Bondage is doing something because it is required.
Freedom is doing something because it is right.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by MC1

Jon.... You didn't happen to see Brit Floyd when they played at Red Rock? I have the DVD of that concert. It is the best music based DVD I own.

A different Red Rock. I believe there is a requirement that every state has a Red Rock, at least I've found a bunch of them running around the country.

The one is in PA is a small town consisting of a motel & general store at the crossroads of PA 118 & PA 487. PA 487 is the road that goes to the park up the 18% grade. There is a sign at the top of the hill warning trucks:

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by floyd

One state has no stated requirement.
Three states have only a required stopping distance.
Thirty-nine states require brakes at or above 3000# (33 at)
Three states require brakes at 2000#
Three states require brakes at 1500#.
There is presently one (1) state which requires brakes at 1000 #

While it may be laudable to obey the law of the land, it is smarter to learn the laws of physics... Educate yourself and be responsible.
Get brakes when needed and drive safely.

Bondage is doing something because it is required.
Freedom is doing something because it is right.

Hurray for NY!

[Bob Miller]

And how is the newbie, without a background in the laws of physics, supposed to know what is right when it come to needing brakes????


The salesman said "You won't even know it's there" and he didn't, as he went through the stop sign at the bottom of the grade and..... film at eleven!


I, and the rest of the Golden State, is happy to go with the 1500 lb figure, and to not allow my life to be put at risk by another's ignorance.


And YES, Hurrah for NY state @ 1000 lbs.
Trailer Brakes | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws

[Mary F]

Originally Posted by MC1

Stopping is not an issue if your trailer has brakes.

Unless they fail or are improperly adjusted. Ask me how I know.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

And how is the newbie, without a background in the laws of physics, supposed to know what is right when it come to needing brakes????

My good friend and benefactor Andrew Carnegie got me started at about age four and provided most of my education as a child.
Heck, nowadays there are so many sources of information that a newbie with a desire to educate himself can move up the ladder to expert in a reasonable amount of time.
Don't underestimate a newbie...
Who knows ? A newbie might start right out with your advice and, with a little effort be able to think for himself in no time!

To paraphrase Corinthians...
With practice we can be made able ministers of the law(requirements), not of the letter, but of the spirit...the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by floyd

One state has no stated requirement.
Three states have only a required stopping distance.
Thirty-nine states require brakes at or above 3000# (33 at)
Three states require brakes at 2000#
Three states require brakes at 1500#.
There is presently one (1) state which requires brakes at 1000 #

In Canada each province also has its own laws regarding when brakes are required on a trailer as well. Most range from trailer weights of 2000lbs to 3000lbs. But may also have another law that states the trailer must have brakes if it exceeds 50% of the tow vehicles GVWR. At least one province is currently looking at dropping that down to 40%.