Toyota facelifts 09 RAV4

[280Z Turbo]

I, briefly, considered the RAV4 when looking to replace my wife's focus.  However, apart from the unappealing looks, feature for feature it really didn't compare well to many of the others in that category; especially only having a 4spd. auto with the I4 engine whereas others had CVT, 6spd. and 5spd.  Valuewise, it just didn't measure up.

It's a good choice for light duty towing.

You can tow 3500 lbs with the towing package on the V6. The CR-V doesn't offer this, so it's down to the RAV4, Escape/Tribute, or the Vue/Equinox. Of those, I'd say the RAV4 is the best.

[WookieOnRitalin]

It's a good choice for light duty towing.

You can tow 3500 lbs with the towing package on the V6. The CR-V doesn't offer this, so it's down to the RAV4, Escape/Tribute, or the Vue/Equinox. Of those, I'd say the RAV4 is the best.

V6 equipped Suzuki GV can tow up to 3000. Same for Forester I think as well in XT form.

[gasoline]

I gotta hand it to toyota, they took an already barely visible car and made it even more bland.  They really have a talent for such efforts, A+ if that was their goal.

These sell so well you begin to lose faith in humanity.

[Atomic]

Instead of Uglifing it, why didn't they just use the front and rear facias of the JDM Toyota Vanguard? I think they look more classy, if a bit bland.

great idea!

[the Teuton]

Is their version of the car shorter?

[ifcar]

Is their version of the car shorter?

Most of the world has a short wheelbase option. We don't.

[2o6]

Is their version of the car shorter?

The Vanguard is our RAV4. The regular EU and JDM RAV4 is shorter.

[280Z Turbo]

V6 equipped Suzuki GV can tow up to 3000. Same for Forester I think as well in XT form.

3000 is less than 3500, isn't it? What makes the Grand Vitara better than the RAV4? The Forester doesn't even tow 3000...more like 2500 I think.

[Soup DeVille]

3000 is less than 3500, isn't it? What makes the Grand Vitara better than the RAV4? The Forester doesn't even tow 3000...more like 2500 I think.

Tow ratings are just the product of the manufacturer's imagination anyways.

[the Teuton]

Tow ratings are just the product of the manufacturer's imagination anyways.

Look no farther than Josh towing massive boats with old Subarus.

[280Z Turbo]

Tow ratings are just the product of the manufacturer's imagination anyways.

Isn't there some kind of engineering rationale for them?

Besides, the RAV4 has 269 hp, which should make towing a small trailer a breeze.

[Soup DeVille]

Isn't there some kind of engineering rationale for them?

Besides, the RAV4 has 269 hp, which should make towing a small trailer a breeze.

Not that I can tell. Each manufacturer probably has their own standards, but none of them seem comparable to one another.

The Pilot has a towing capacity of 3000 lbs, but 3500 when towing a boat. WTF is that? Pulling a boat out of a launch is one of the more intense towing duties you're likely to do, so why would you be able to carry more boat than camper trailer?

[280Z Turbo]

What make a vehicle able to tow more?

I know the 200 hp Tribute is rated to tow 3500 lbs, but so is the 240 hp one. Shouldn't more power mean more towing capacity?

[Eye of the Tiger]

What make a vehicle able to tow more?

I know the 200 hp Tribute is rated to tow 3500 lbs, but so is the 240 hp one. Shouldn't more power mean more towing capacity?

Towing capacity is limited by the weakest link, which is more likely to be the brakes or transmission.

[Soup DeVille]

What make a vehicle able to tow more?

I know the 200 hp Tribute is rated to tow 3500 lbs, but so is the 240 hp one. Shouldn't more power mean more towing capacity?

The vehicle's weight, plus the tongue weight, should not weigh less than the trailer's weight, minus the tongue weight, and the rear axle load limit with the tonque weight on it should not be exceeded.

Now, that's not an manufacturer's rule, that's not an engineering rule, its a rule from a rigging handbook.

Less power just means you go slower. In Michigan, where hills are tiny, it shouldn;t make much difference. Out west, it will make a lot more.

[Soup DeVille]

Towing capacity is limited by the weakest link, which is more likely to be the brakes or transmission.

For any trailer over about 1000 lbs, the trailer should have its own brakes anyways.

[Eye of the Tiger]

For any trailer over about 1000 lbs, the trailer should have its own brakes anyways.

[280Z Turbo]

For any trailer over about 1000 lbs, the trailer should have its own brakes anyways.

Our 2 car, three axle trailer still does not have working trailer brakes.

[Soup DeVille]

Our 2 car, three axle trailer still does not have working trailer brakes.

"Should."

Not that I've always done what I should either...

[J86]

For any trailer over about 1000 lbs, the trailer should have its own brakes anyways.

hehe...

[280Z Turbo]

hehe...

Someone else is guilty, I take it?

[J86]

Someone else is guilty, I take it?

I need to get a pic of our trimaran behind the sport ute...

[The Pirate]

Not that I can tell. Each manufacturer probably has their own standards, but none of them seem comparable to one another.

The Pilot has a towing capacity of 3000 lbs, but 3500 when towing a boat. WTF is that? Pulling a boat out of a launch is one of the more intense towing duties you're likely to do, so why would you be able to carry more boat than camper trailer?

Vehicle towing capacities are often a bit higher when you're talking about a boat.  Your average ski boat is a much more aerodynamic load then a camper trailer, and that's the reason why.  I can't recall the exact numbers, but it was a similar deal with my dad's old Nissan Pathfinder.  The owners manual explicitly stated there was a higher towing capacity if the object being towed was a boat.

You still have to stay below the GVWR, of course.

[Laconian]

When you opt for the "towing package" on the Tribute you get an upgraded transmission cooler.

[Soup DeVille]

Vehicle towing capacities are often a bit higher when you're talking about a boat.  Your average ski boat is a much more aerodynamic load then a camper trailer, and that's the reason why.  I can't recall the exact numbers, but it was a similar deal with my dad's old Nissan Pathfinder.  The owners manual explicitly stated there was a higher towing capacity if the object being towed was a boat.

You still have to stay below the GVWR, of course.

GCWR you mean.

Anyways, go to a boat launch sometimes, preferably one that gets a lot of traffic from Bayliner owners. Pulling a boat out of a launch is not a light duty towing job, and is probably something you'd never have to do for a camper trailer.

[J86]

Anyways, go to a boat launch sometimes, preferably one that gets a lot of traffic from Bayliner owners.

so true.

[Raza]

Not that I can tell. Each manufacturer probably has their own standards, but none of them seem comparable to one another.

The Pilot has a towing capacity of 3000 lbs, but 3500 when towing a boat. WTF is that? Pulling a boat out of a launch is one of the more intense towing duties you're likely to do, so why would you be able to carry more boat than camper trailer?

Boats are more aerodynamic.

[Soup DeVille]

Boats are more aerodynamic.

Pull one out of a launch sometime and see how much of a difference that makes.

Seriously, does anybody here have any experience towing a boat besides J86 and I?

[Tave]

Do Sea-Doos count?

[Soup DeVille]

Do Sea-Doos count?

Are you towing it with the Aveo? Probably yes then.