2 Door Towing Experiences

[Leodanger]

Hi there...

My wife and I have a Rav4 NRG VVT-I, manual 2lt 2door, and are considering a caravan (sorry to clog up the roads, but it seems the ideal solution for holidays with our young daughter and labrador).

Does anyone have any useful experience of towing with the 2door petrol 2lt, and should we expect it to be capable? Also, is there anything we should know about getting a tow bar fitted?

The alternative is my 100,000 mile 2lt BMW 318is, but I feel that, while a little lighter, the Rav would be the better bet.

We don't want to get caught out on Cornish and Scottish hills, so please tell us if this is a no-go!

Thanks all...

[El Bee]

Hi, can't comment on the specifics of your particular flavour of RAVs towing ability but as a general rule check the kerbweight of your car and don't try to tow anything with a loaded weight of more than 80% of that, it saves the "tail wagging the dog" situation that can end in tears.

Try ringing around a reputable local tow bar specialist, I used to live in Hertfordshire and used GT Towing at Potters Bar, they will certainly give you plenty of good advice for the price of a phone call, modern caravans need a double socket electrical supply, one socket does the road lights, the second does the caravan's internal services while you're towing, ie charges the caravan's Battery and runs the fridge on 12v.

Plenty of info and advice on caravans and towing at the Caravan Club's website.

Lee B

[IanXT4]

Do a search for tow bars there has been loads posted previously.

Key thing to note is that there are two tow bar heights possible for your RAV.

Low height (just on the legal minimum) allows the door to open with the ball attached (fixed or removable versions exist)

Normal height stops the door opening and the bar is removable.

I have a low height bar and while its ok for trailers I think it would be unsuitable for a caravan. (very nose down)

Your decision on the most suitable car probably depends on the size of the caravan. However, having seen a 2 door tow a very large trailer I would probably opt for the Beemer.

[bothwell_buyer]

As I have posted before, I have used one of my 3 door RAVs to tow preet heavy trailers. One was a twin axle caravan witha lighting mast stuck out the roof and a large generator inside, together with all the training kit for a rugby team. It managed fine...and the caravan and gear must have weighed the best part of 2 tons. Of course i kept the speed down, but on grass or mud, it was amazing and managed no problem where the van we also used couldn't manage.

For towing a caravan longer distances, defo get a stabiliser bar fitted. The RAV will happily handle it, but just be aware of your speed as the RAV is a short wheelbase.

The benefits willcome when you are pulling the caravan on soft ground or grass.

I wouldn't bother even trying with the BMW. Rear wheel drive and mud etc is a complete no-no.... witness the recent snow and ice!

The RAV was designed for mild off-roading hence first gear is set for handling difficult conditions. The power to weight raitio for the RAV is also, I think, better than that of the BMW.

[Leodanger]

Thanks all... We got stuck in the BMW this winter, trying to get up a steep hill in the snow. I think we'll definitely go for the Rav after that.

Looking at no more than about 1300Kg laden weight - the manual says a max of 1500 for the 2.0l petrol, so should be okay. Now it's finding the right van...

[bothwell_buyer]

Thanks all... We got stuck in the BMW this winter, trying to get up a steep hill in the snow. I think we'll definitely go for the Rav after that.

Looking at no more than about 1300Kg laden weight - the manual says a max of 1500 for the 2.0l petrol, so should be okay. Now it's finding the right van...

I see in the general discussions section that the council is looking to evict travellers from a site. If the community feeling is getting that way, keep away from the chromed caravan jobs!

[Jason Mongue]

I have a '97 two door Rav4 as well and am on a similar quest... how big (or small) a 13' caravan (or travel trailer as they're called here in the US) can my little car pull without being a danger to myself or others.

I found this-

http://www.bolerama.org/vegetarium.html

And emailed her. She reported having no troubles at all towing her (very light) Boler.

[bothwell_buyer]

Welcome to the forum Jason Mongue....

I'd seriously look at fitting a stabiliser bar for the car to trailer connection. It reduces the sway between the two. And also watch the speed - I think its about 50-60 mph here.