Hi And towing question

[RA Ras]

Hello everyone!

I'm RA. The two of us bought a '95 Scamp 16' in the fall from a couple who filled the trailer with love and care. It's been in storage since then.

We've got our summer trip all planned out. Now we just need to buy a towing vehicle. It looks like it will be either the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (towing capacity 3,500) or the Toyota Rav4 Prime (towing capacity 2,500). Has anyone towed with these and would have words of wisdom other than what I found already in the threads? We are environmentally and cost conscious.

We're so happy to be a part of this community.

[Campingbliss]

I tow with a Highlander Hybrid 6 cyl and love it. No problem going up and over passes. 23 mpg. I would definitely choose 3500# tow capacity over 2500#, it’s just easier on the vehicle for a 16 footer that loaded could weigh @2300lbs on average depending on what you bring.

[ShelbyM]

Welcome! An emphatic "no" for anything rated to tow only 2500#. Check this thread for actual weights. https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...rld-43010.html

[Wayne Collins]

Highlander, or equivalnt : either hybrid or standard.
We've had both - no problems.

[Jon in AZ]

Definitely the Highlander. The average 16’ Scamp weights around 2600# loaded for travel, and tow ratings assume an essentially empty tow vehicle. Not much margin for extra gear and/or severe towing conditions (mountains, elevation, temperatures, wind).

In fact, if you can find one in this crazy market, I’d suggest a used 2019 or earlier Highlander hybrid with a V6 gas engine. Starting 2020, it has the same 4-banger as the RAV4. The tow rating is unchanged, but I doubt it will perform as well as the V6 on a long grade in the mountains.

[RA Ras]

Thanks for the replies!

[Nick Loy]

I have towned my Scamp with three different cars. A Subaru Forester, a Subaru Outback, and my present car, a Chrysler Pacifica. All three cars towed the Scamp without any engine or drive train issues. However there is a problem with the two Subaru's. Namely weight. They were not much heavier than the Scamp and at high speed (over 55 or a down hill) the Scamp could start to sway you have to be careful. The Pacifica is a heavier car and sway issues are almost completely gone.

Whatever car you get, do purchase an anti-sway bar and get proportional brakes.

I hope this helps.

[Wayne Collins]

trailer sway is more a function of weight distribution than weight of the TV.
it can be aggravated by a loose hitch and too much steering wheel motion by the driver.
Load the trailer to keep 10 - 15 % of the trailer weight on the hitch. Adjust hitch ball height to keep the trailer level, or slightly lower in front.
Try to have the hitch ball as close to the rear bumper as possible. And snug.

[RA Ras]

We have gotten a lot of good information from Andy Thomson at Can-Am RV Centre. He has answered our questions that we emailed.
https://www.canamrv.ca/blog/category/hitch-hints/

This seminar video helped us a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0nr1SiiW4

The towing hardware and set up seem to be key, as you said, Wayne.