RAV4 Adventure as TV

WABetty

Hi there,
Is anyone towing with the 2018 RAV4 Adventure model? I read all the discussions on TV. I am looking for someone having an actual experience with this specific model. I'm aware that other models are rated at only 1500lbs. Since it just came out in 2018, I am having a hard time finding any real life info. 
Thanks!

TerryV6

Well, we had a 2016 Rav4 v6 and it worked fine..

pthomas745

Welcome to the Forums, and have some RAV 4 threads. Some of these will be for older models, of course.

https://www.google.com/search?ei=UYzgW6b8Df2y0PEPi9e1gAY&q=rav4++site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&oq=rav4++site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2676.7334..7851...1.0..0.115.1302.19j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.KGNEn1qacMM

MuttonChops

@WABetty ;  welcome to the forum

Appears the RAV4 Adventure AWD increased it's maximum tow rating by adding extra fluids cooling while the engine remains 2.5-liter four-cylinder with  176-horsepower.

One online Test Drive Report notes . . . "it has no problem keeping up with traffic, I found the acceleration to be a bit sluggish". . . and that is with just the driver, no gear in RAV4 and no trailer.  https://www.carprousa.com/2018-toyota-rav4-adventure-awd-test-drive

I'm with the crowd that feel a comfortable towing experience happens when the TV is not being pushed to it's limits and personally would not tow a T@B with the RAV4 Adventure, would consider towing a T@G.

My TV has a 3.6L V6 rated at 7,000# towing and tows a fully loaded T@B 320 fine.  The same TV with the 2.5L 4-Cyl is rated at 3,500# towing and I won't wish to tow with it.

rkj__

pthomas745 said:

Welcome to the Forums, and have some RAV 4 threads. Some of these will be for older models, of course.

https://www.google.com/search?ei=UYzgW6b8Df2y0PEPi9e1gAY&q=rav4++site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&oq=rav4++site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2676.7334..7851...1.0..0.115.1302.19j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.KGNEn1qacMM

I chimed in with my thoughts in the first thread those search results pull up.

The short version of my thoughts is that the power is on the low side for towing a T@b comfortably.  I don't have experience behind the wheel of the Rav4 though. 

WABetty

thank you everyone!

MuttonChops

@WABetty,

Just for fun I did a more detailed look at possible real-world towing conditions and the use of 3,500# rated tow vehicles . . . using your RAV4 Adventure as the example . . .

Real World Factors:

Factory stated maximum tow rating is based on only a driver in the TV.  As people/cargo are added to the TV it's tow capacity drops = = pound for pound = = Add 110# of cargo to TV, reduce tow rating by 100#

Increased altitude also reduces gasoline engine power.  Vehicle manufactures say reduce the tow rating 3-4% every 1,000 feet of elevation.

End result is you cannot really carry any gear with a 3,500# rated TV and expect reasonable performance . . . acceleration, power reserve, or MPG . . . Having the TV only 50% loaded (by weight) and the T@B 50% loaded puts the ready for camping T@B at the maximum TV towing capacity.

ChanW

If the RAV has increased it's tow capacity rating this year, at least they figure it's brakes and cooling system are up to the task.

As for power, our observations: (we have the 2011 4cyl Tacoma with the 2.5L, 176HP engine)

We've pulled the Tab in the mountains (east and west), and found it to be sufficient for towing, if you apply a little patience... A few climbs would take us down to 50mph, and a couple we dropped to 45 (very few).

Generally however, it was easy to keep it at our normal cruising speed of 55-65.

If I had a choice, I'd get the six cylinder Tacoma now, although it's load rating is lower than the 4cyl, I think it's tow rating is higher. But we've been very happy with our Taco.

Sally6

I have the new Rav 4 Adventure, and it seems fine. It' s pulled my T@b in the Smoky Mountains, but I haven't tried it in higher elevations. I'm very happy with it.