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Towing with a RAV4?

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SteveR View Drop Down
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    Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 12:33pm
Hello, I'm new member and have not yet purchased an r-pod but may well. My concern is towing. I've got a 2008 RAV4, 6 cylinder with towing package. Toyota says 3500 pounds and 350 tongue, so it appears those stats should be ok with even the heaviest r-pod.  

My concern is that the wheelbase is narrow, about 104 in. So my question, is it prudent to tow an r-pod, even with a sway bar, with my car? Does it seem right that the 3500 and 350 are ok for even the heaviest r-pod. Is the wheelbase ok?

Thanks. This group looks great.

Steve, near Seattle


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Butterfly_Lee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Butterfly_Lee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 12:48pm
Steve did a search  RAV (advanced any date).  Come up with this post, you might what to PM linda.
 
Originally posted by Linda Faust Linda Faust wrote:

We have a 6 cyl. RAV 4 with all wheel drive.  We have a sway bar and have no problem.  We tried towing at 65 or 70 and it was too hard on the car.  We cut down to 55 to 60 and we don't get speeding tickets.  I like that speed because it is relaxing.  The car does very well as the capacity is around 3500 lbs.  Our gas milage went up to around 12 to 13 mpg.  We also don't use cruise control and put it in drive 4 rather than the overdrive 4.  My husband likes to drive 60 to 65 but it is too fast for the car.  Linda 
 
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dogipod View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dogipod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 2010 at 6:12pm
Hi Steve,

We tow our 177 with a 2010 rav4 v6 with tow package and sway bar and it is just fine for us.  Even on steep hills, the engine isn't really taxing.  I would agree with everything Linda says in her post above.  Mileage is 11-14mpg depending on the road.  We have gone up to 65 without problems.  However, if the road surface is uneven, we can feel it and slow down.  We don't have the weight distribution hitch but it is something we consider getting when we take the pod to the shop one of these days, just for peace of mind.  We did get the Toyota OEM hitch receiver as it has additional connections to the body of the Rav4 for supposedly added support, but this is a personal decision.  Other hitches apparently work fine too.  We had some concerns at first towing with the Rav4 since we are new to towing, but are very comfortable with our set up now.



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YakDriver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote YakDriver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 2:24pm
We towed ours with a Mazda Tribute. Similar specs. That said, I would have added an equalizer hitch as it would have helped distribute more weight back to the front wheel drive. The only problem I ever encountered was during wet weather. The lack of weight on the drive wheels could cause it to get a bit squirrely.
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Rpod View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 1:39pm
We have a '11 RAV 4 Sport which we started out as a TV.  The 2nd trip out, we encountered 40 MPH head winds, slowed down to 50 MPH, and mileage dropped to 8/mpg. Living in Eastern Colorado, winds like this are not uncommon, and I was Leary about the strain on the RAV. We ended up opting for a Ram 1500 to tow with. We do a lot of towing in the Rocky Mountains, and bought the Pod to get into back mountain country. Wasn't sure the RAV would handle the challenge.  

The RAV is a great vehicle, and, as others here are using it as a TV, I didn't want to take the risk of damaging the power train towing the Pod for thousands of miles over and thru the Rockies. 

I think the RAV would be a suitable TV in most settings, but the difference towing with a full sized pickup is night and day.  The PU toes it like it's not there.  With the RAV, you could definitely feel it behind you, and EQ hitch with Sway control would be the only way I'd recommend using a RAV.

Hope this helps someone down the road, if the RAV V6 is your only option then it will work, just take the right precautions and drive modestly. (Mine came with the factory tow package, I'd recommend that.  Extra tranny cooling)

Ray

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote headcold Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2013 at 2:28pm
I second Rpod's opinion, regarding towing in headwinds and passes.  I tow my 172 with a 202 six-cylinder Toyota 4-runner (3 liter engine) throughout my home state of Montana, over hills, dales, and passes, as well as across the Great Plains and SW deserts.  On the flat and moderate passes, it tows fine.  But on steep passes and in headwinds, I find myself dropping down into second gear to keep the RPMs up.  The problem has to do with not only horsepower but also torque.  I currently am looking into an 8 cylinder 4-runner, which Toyota no longer makes, but which reputedly has better torque and horsepower.
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