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07 Rav4 towing review.
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Author:  mkperceptions [ Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:30 am ]
Post subject:  07 Rav4 towing review.
Ok we all know a towing review isn't as good as you actually testing it. So how do you go about testing out a car that is revamped and hasn't been out long enough for all your friends to have one? Well you can rent one and throw a hitch on it and hope the rental company doesn't find out. Or you find one super cool dealer that has one set up and will let you test it. That is just what I did. I towed my boat down to the dealer with my tacoma hooked up the boat to the Rav and away I went. Drove it up the steepest pass we have down here or that I will probably ever tow it up, put on the ac and it didn't even bat an eye. Got to the delta and launched the boat on the steepest launch ramp I have ever used. No problems there. Went to pull the boat out after a short day of fishing put it in 4wd and it pulled up the ramp extremely easy. Braking was great and the trailer with trailer brakes made it feel like it wasn't even there. I did have to make one panic stop and man it stopped fast. Handling was just like with the tacoma and I didn't even notice the boat was there. The transmission felt rock solid and the car didn't even skip a beat. My boat is the heaviest I would tow with this vehicle, but none the less it was a great tow vehicle for the small bowrider with trailerbrakes. Oh yea and I was loaned the v6 269hp awd. Only problem now is I want to buy one hahaha
Author:  Brett248Vista [ Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 07 Rav4 towing review.
mkperceptions wrote:
Ok we all know a towing review isn't as good as you actually testing it. So how do you go about testing out a car that is revamped and hasn't been out long enough for all your friends to have one? Well you can rent one and throw a hitch on it and hope the rental company doesn't find out. Or you find one super cool dealer that has one set up and will let you test it. That is just what I did. I towed my boat down to the dealer with my tacoma hooked up the boat to the Rav and away I went. Drove it up the steepest pass we have down here or that I will probably ever tow it up, put on the ac and it didn't even bat an eye. Got to the delta and launched the boat on the steepest launch ramp I have ever used. No problems there. Went to pull the boat out after a short day of fishing put it in 4wd and it pulled up the ramp extremely easy. Braking was great and the trailer with trailer brakes made it feel like it wasn't even there. I did have to make one panic stop and man it stopped fast. Handling was just like with the tacoma and I didn't even notice the boat was there. The transmission felt rock solid and the car didn't even skip a beat. My boat is the heaviest I would tow with this vehicle, but none the less it was a great tow vehicle for the small bowrider with trailerbrakes. Oh yea and I was loaned the v6 269hp awd. Only problem now is I want to buy one hahaha



Wow they (Toyota) must have REALLY stepped up the game on the Rav4. The one my Mother had was the most gutless sorry POS in the world (and she agreed!) but it was also the first year the Rav's came out.. She got a lot of service out of it but man was it a turd! Now she has a 4-Runner and is happy as can be, and every time they go on vaca and I house sit I get to drive it for a week and I really dig the 4 Runner!
Author:  Architectdave [ Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Great info thanks. Im thinking of replacing my 97 pathfinder but not sure what to get. I like the 4 door tacoma whole bunch but the rav4 might be the one to check out to.
Author:  230 Mike [ Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:57 am ]
Post subject: 
That's a terrific report! I have a hard time imagining the Rav standing up to long term towing over the course of many years, but that may just be my "preconceived notions."
Author:  mkperceptions [ Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
mike, the farthest I tow is 120 miles one way normally just for short jaunts to the delta 45 miles. Tow package comes with the upgraded cooler etc. We will see how long it holds up hahaha.
Author:  Architectdave [ Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:23 am ]
Post subject: 
I noticed on the toyota site they are only rated to to 3500 lbs. Im not sure if my pathfinder is rated for more or less but it pulls my H190 great.
Author:  mkperceptions [ Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
I believe your pathfinder is rated to 5000
Author:  Architectdave [ Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I stopped by the toyota dealer this weekend and I have to say Im skeptical the Rav4 could tow my boat well. They also don't have a class 3 hitch according to the dealer.... its the smaller hitch and that makes me uneasy..... :?
Author:  davemac [ Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
not sure if this interests you, but the new Toyota Highlander (due out any day, if not already) is rated to tow 5000 lbs w/ the tow pkg (in non-hybrid form).
I just picked up a new 4Runner (6cyl) and am pleased at how it pulls my boat (better than the Honda Pilot it replaced).
Author:  Architectdave [ Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:04 am ]
Post subject: 
I love the 4 runner and the highlander they are more like the pathfinder I have than the crappy new stupid plasic looking ones. We are looking for gas milage though but im discovering that you either get a truck or you get milage... :roll:
Author:  davemac [ Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Architectdave wrote:
We are looking for gas milage though but im discovering that you either get a truck or you get milage... :roll:


So True... When not towing, we always got around 20mpg in Pilot. I haven't checked 4Runner yet (still breaking in), but it is also around 20. On my first highway trip towing boat w/ 4Runner loaded w/ gear & family, the onboard computer showed average of 15mpg...which is quite impressive if accurate. Again, I have the 6cyl.

BTW, are you using your boat in fresh water or ocean?
Author:  Architectdave [ Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
The boat stays in the lake in front of our camp all summer except for when I have to pull it for service etc. So Now that the 20 hr is done i see it coming out in october going to the dealer then back again in the spring - wash rinse repeat. :lol:

Im sure my path used to get 19 like the factory says, but with 250+K miles its probably more like 15 and less now....

Im considering a toyota tacoma 4door but not sure.
Author:  felipe.toscano [ Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Whooo! Go 4Runner!
Author:  mkperceptions [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
The new highlander uses the same engine and trans as the rav 4. I just installed a class 3 toyota dealer hitch the other day. The trans on the rav does not hunt when in 4 not OD. But I have never let any of my transmissions hunt I just put it in the lower gear and roll with it untill it gets less steep
Author:  Architectdave [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:09 am ]
Post subject: 
what did you end up buying?
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