fossie
Club Member
Posts: 14
Primary Vehicle: Rav4
Year: 2007
Model Spec/Trim: Xt4
Engine Capacity: 2.0
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: Manual
Drive Type: 4WD/AWD
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Post by fossie on Sept 13, 2019 19:54:41 GMT
New to this RAV 4 malarkey as I posted in the hello section.
I have briefly looked in the search on the site but my question is
When do/ did the series change as in mine is a 2007 2.0 petrol which I assume is a series 3? And what are the normal foibles of the various series .
I ask because my daughter is maybe after one aswell to tow the horse box, but being a groom funds are limited....
towing would normally point to a diesel, but it seems there have been issues, with what series I don't know .....just do I can advise her
( look knowledgable in a bluffing sort of way.)
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Post by phaeton on Sept 14, 2019 7:12:06 GMT
I have a 2007 2.2L diesel, the 130 bhp version, pretty bulletproof engine but I personally don't think they are a particularly good tow car, I've towed a caravan & several trailers with cars on them, but to me the gearing is all wrong. I also used to have a 2.0L Auris as well, which although was technically too small to tow the caravan it pulled it far better than the Rav4. Another issue I find is that towball height is too low so you risk damaging the jockey wheel over speed humps.
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Post by Hoovie on Sept 14, 2019 9:16:30 GMT
a RAV4 from 2007 would indeed be referred to as a RAV4.3 (so 3rd Generation)
Personally I would not buy a Toyota 2.2L Diesel as used in the RAV4 from 2006-2010. The potential for failure, although small, is too high to be acceptable in my opinion. The Diesel models from 2010 onwards, with the 150BHP version of the 2.2L engine are meant to be a lot more reliable.
Don't know about if it pulls well or not, but the comment about the towball height should certainly be taken on board. Because of the rear door opening the towball will either be very low to let the door open and have the issue described; or you can get a detachable one which can be set a big higher but then it fouls the door opening.
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fossie
Club Member
Posts: 14
Primary Vehicle: Rav4
Year: 2007
Model Spec/Trim: Xt4
Engine Capacity: 2.0
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: Manual
Drive Type: 4WD/AWD
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Post by fossie on Sept 14, 2019 16:38:21 GMT
Thanks for the replies, the issue over tow hitch is a valid point, as is the suspicious Diesel engine , armed with the info I can look into the hieght of tow arm etc and know which model she should look for .....at the moment she uses a Suzuki Jimny ..but cracking motor it is towing ain't it's fortay! For now they use a Kia summat.
Her options are Suzuki Vitara ,or RAV 4. Now I can compare for her. Cheers.
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Post by charliefarlie on Sept 14, 2019 17:00:07 GMT
It is very easy to fit a drop or raise plate to the conventional flange type tow bars. Swan necks are easy to adjust.
IMO All the 4.3 Diesel’s are a risk unless the car has had its engine replaced. Member Jamie on here has just had his car scrapped as its engine went and his car was a 2012 with low miles.
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Post by phaeton on Sept 14, 2019 17:32:35 GMT
Swan necks are easy to adjust.
Ours is a detachable swan neck how can it be adjusted?
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Post by charliefarlie on Sept 14, 2019 17:54:10 GMT
Swan necks are easy to adjust.
Ours is a detachable swan neck how can it be adjusted?
Our one has three sets of bolt holes so it can be moved up or down. |
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Post by Hoovie on Sept 15, 2019 13:56:05 GMT
Ours is a detachable swan neck how can it be adjusted?
Our one has three sets of bolt holes so it can be moved up or down. Remember the rear door style on the RAV4.3 though! raise the hitch and stop the door opening! |
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Post by charliefarlie on Sept 15, 2019 15:53:37 GMT
Our one has three sets of bolt holes so it can be moved up or down. Remember the rear door style on the RAV4.3 though! raise the hitch and stop the door opening! Never had a single problem towing with my T180. Awesome tow car. I towed a very heavy goods trailer and a Jetski among others and had zero issues. I don’t think we can advise on ball height without comprehensive information. It’s not possible surely |
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Post by phaeton on Sept 15, 2019 16:07:19 GMT
Here are pictures of my Rav4, I think part of the issue is the overhang & the soft rear springs, if we ever got a caravan again I would look into getting spring assisters
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Post by charliefarlie on Sept 15, 2019 19:32:23 GMT
Here are pictures of my Rav4, I think part of the issue is the overhang & the soft rear springs, if we ever got a caravan again I would look into getting spring assisters
Is there such a thing as air assist ? Like the ones often fitted to motor homes ? |
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Post by charliefarlie on Sept 15, 2019 19:40:33 GMT
Thing is as well is trailers vary ? In fact there are loads of variables that affect ? Nose weight ? How thailer sits etc .......
This 4.4 of ours tows very well. Aided by its automatic gearbox. That really does work well. The van sits dead flat and the car is also dead flat.
Of course like most I would like a Discovery or a Landcruiser for the job but that’s hardly practical for the main when towing is not on the agenda.
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Post by phaeton on Sept 16, 2019 18:53:46 GMT
Is there such a thing as air assist ? Like the ones often fitted to motor homes ?
Not sure but the mates car transporter has something similar so week look into it if we buy again
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