tow vehicles

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I feel bad for you, but you made the smart and proper decision. You live in the Pacific Northwest, and no trailer can safely be towed in our area with a marginal tow vehicle. There would be many situations (i.e. passes and foothills of the Cascades and winds of the coast and Columbia Gorge) that would make towing even with the RAV v/6 a questionable decision. The wheelbase of the RAV is just too short to tow steadily/ wherever/whenever you want in our region. Lots of us have made the wrong decision and not chosen our tow rigs wisely. Take it from me, it ain't enjoyable, and it does become expensive. The only real reason for RVing is to have fun, and that combination would not have let you do that. Hopefully some day you can happily join us.  

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Kickstart Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Location: Ocean Shores, W Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Topic: tow vehicles Posted: 08 Jul 2012 at 2:27am
	I feel bad for you, but you made the smart and proper decision. You live in the Pacific Northwest, and no trailer can safely be towed in our area with a marginal tow vehicle. There would be many situations (i.e. passes and foothills of the Cascades and winds of the coast and Columbia Gorge) that would make towing even with the RAV v/6 a questionable decision. The wheelbase of the RAV is just too short to tow steadily/ wherever/whenever you want in our region. Lots of us have made the wrong decision and not chosen our tow rigs wisely. Take it from me, it ain't enjoyable, and it does become expensive. The only real reason for RVing is to have fun, and that combination would not have let you do that. Hopefully some day you can happily join us.
	'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time!

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002	Posted: 08 Jul 2012 at 1:53am
	You did the right thing. The 177 dryweight is 2418#, that does not include batteries LP tanks AC or microwave. Your rav4 is rated at 1500#, lets say there are 2 people in your TV at 150# each thats 300#, so you only have 1200# towing cap. left. If you travel very,very light your loaded trailer will way at least between 3000 to 3200#. Wise choice.
	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

Dan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Location: Coburg, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 08 Jul 2012 at 1:18am
	I nearly purchased an r-pod 177 yesterday, I loved it, I coveted it, I would loved to consummated the deal.....BUT.....I drive what I feel would be an underpowered tow vehicle for the weight of the trailer (which is approx. 2285 lbs, dry and empty). I drive a 2010 Toyota, 2.5 liter, 4 cylinder RAV4. I love the vehicle and it is perfect for us in all ways, it gets really great mileage and has ample power on the road. However, the maximum tow weight rating for it is 1,500 lbs. The RV dealer made me a great offer, was even going to throw in the cost of installing the towing package on my car (the receiver, the wiring, trailer brakes, load-leveler option and anti-sway control, etc.) for FREE, included in the cost of the trailer. Which only made the already discounted pricing even better. He assured me that I would have no problems towing it with my RAV4. However, my Toyota dealer's service manager, as well as an independent RV service center here where I live, said otherwise. They advised against it, saying it would be too far over the vehicles rated limits. If it were a V-6 instead of a 4 banger, I would not have hesitated. I don't doubt the honesty of the RV dealer and, as he continued to reassure me that my car could do the job with NOOOOOO problems, over and over, I simply felt pushing it nearly 800 lbs (dry and empty) over my vehicles max. limit was NOT a smart thing to do. He continued to guarantee that the towing package would do the job, all by itself. However, I pointed out to him that if my engine were to be damaged, or my transmission and/or rear-end were to go out, they (the RV dealer) sure as heck were not going to fix it or buy me a new car. I did not doubt their workmanship on the tow package installation one bit. That was not the issue to me. My having to back out of what was (considering everything aside from the tow vehicle issue) a really great deal, was very disappointing. My wife's been depressed all day(!). My question to you folks is: Did I do the right thing? Or, COULD my RAV4 have pulled it with no problems (immediately, or more importantly, down the road)? I'd really appreciate a response from anyone out there who has an informed opinion on the matter. Sorry for being so long-winded...... Dan Coburg, Oregon
	Dan