Hi I am new to the forum and am strongly considering picking up a Tab. We currently own 2016 Forester and I would be trading it in to pick up the new 2018 Rav Adventure which has the towing capacity of 3,500. It has an upgraded radiator and a supplemental engine cooler and transmission fluid cooler. It still has the standard 2.5 Rav four cylinder engine. The Tab's that I am interested in seem to have a weight of between 1,600 to 1,800 dry and was wondering what forum felt about using the 4 cylinder engine for such a large load. We really like to own cars that get great mileage. I would be making this trade solely due to the towing capacity of the new Rav Adventure. We love the Forester but the towing level is up to 1,450. Would this arrangement work? Thanks bob
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I towed a ~1400lb trailer/motorcycle combo with my 2.4L I-4 Nissan Frontier rated at 3500lbs towing capacity. It was okay--I got from point A to point B--but I decided if I was ever going to tow something that size with any regularity, something bigger was in order. I now have a 4.0L V-6 Frontier that tows the T@B with ease. So...
Will a properly equipped and rated 4-cylinder tow a T@B? Yes.
Will it win any races doing so? No.
Will you care? I don't know.
Is more power worth the hit in gas mileage when you are not towing? That's up to you.
Just my $0.02. There are lots of variables, and plenty of people here who tow with 4-cylinders and like it just fine! YMMV.
2001 Toyota Tacoma 4WD New Mexico
Horsepower (Net @ RPM): 176 @ 6000; Torque (Net @ RPM): 172 @ 4100
That's definitely at the low end for vehicles rated to tow 3,500 lb.
So, since the T@b fits comfortably within the lated tow limit, you certainly can do it. But, strong head winds may have the engine revving pretty high to maintain speed. That means more noise, and worse fuel economy. On steep highway grades, you will likely not be able to maintain the speed limit.
So, like ScottG says, you have to decide what unloaded / towing performance figures are most important to you.
Personally, I tow with a truck rated to tow 5,500 lb, with 242 HP and 242 ft.lb. For most situations, it is more power than needed. But, sometimes I put my foot to the floor, and ask for all the available power. Most often, that is when I am trying to merge into traffic which is traveling at or above the speed limit. The extra power makes those situations less stressful. One time after a fuel stop, the ramp I was trying to merge on was up hill. Accelerating a load up hill requires a lot of power.
Happy shopping.
You’re really the only one who can answer if that will work for you.
How are are you planning to use the trailer (monthlong trips or just weekend jaunts to a nearby state park)?
How much gear do you carry (bikes, kayaks, outdoor kitchen)?
Just yourself or spouse, kids, and dogs?
People use these trailers in a lot of different ways so it’s hard to answer your question.
2013 CS-S us@gi
Battered but trusty 3.5l V6 Hyundai Santa Fe
2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
Now, you can have any engine you want, as long as it is a 4cyl.
I've also owned high mileage vehicles with highway MPG in the 40-50 range in the past. So while shopping for a trailer towing vehicle how it will (hopefully) be used was a major factor in vehicle selection. For me the towing capacity and power margin of a V6 engine won over 4-cyl non-towing gas mileage as my plan is for frequent and long road trips.
Keep in mind:
- RAV Adventure gas mileage at 22/28/25 is not so wonderful to start with
many V6 vehicles are near that range
- RAV Adventure tow package does not appear to include 7-pin (or even 4-pin) wiring.
there is also no reference to it being "pre-wired" for a electric brake controller (ask dealer)
- RAV literature shows them towing a T@G not a larger frontal area trailer like a T@B
- RAV Adventure payload is ~ 1,000#. Deduct two people, full gas tank, trailer tongue weight
and you are down to 400# or so. Risk of overloading RAV axles will be greater.
Suggest you stop by a dealer and look at the DOT label for GVWR and Axle Ratings
Again, as others have said - - - Yes it will tow, only you can decide if it's a positive experience.
TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
Adventures: 51 Nights: 322 Towing Miles 41,200+
Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
2017 T@b 320 S
2017 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
That said, the instructions for the wiring harness were fabulous. Plug and play behind the driver's side kick plate and wires run underneath the molding. There's even a hole to run the wires outside to the 7-pin.
If I recall, my "tow pkg" did NOT come with the hitch. I had to purchase my own. I did not go aftermarket, but found a Toyota dealer online that would ship it at a price that was close to an OEM hitch. The bonus was that the holes in the brand name hitch fit the receiving holes in the bottom of car. BTW, installing a hitch is a 2-person job unless you have a few stand jacks. That sucker is heavy.
2018 320S Outback
But I cheat, it's a diesel. 200 hp, 369 torque.
To me, torque is the key for towing. While hp helps, in gas engines - high hp, the torque is there when running at high rpm. It is not the number of cylinders.
Some manufactures offer turbo charge or supercharge on 4/6 cylinders which offer the needed torque to pull and get good mileage.
Of course the transmisson and chassis has to match the tow rating needed.
Lots of homework to find the right TV for your needs.
Utah Driven
2019 T@B 400 (Ex 2018 400)
2015 MB GLK 250 Diesel
2018 GMC Canyon Denali Duramax CCSB
Not Fair, High Torque Diesels don't Count
p.s. really miss my (pre-cheating) VW Jetta Diesel, very fun to drive.
TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
Adventures: 51 Nights: 322 Towing Miles 41,200+