Towing With A Rav4

[debi]

I am impressed with the Rav4 D-4D and am seriously considering buying one but I need to ba able to tow a Compass Ralleye 500/4 caravan with it - loaded it will weigh about 1300kg max. Has anyone any experience towing similar and any views on the Ravs performance?

[stevew]

debi, the RAV D4D is the best engine in the series to tow with. But the kerb weight will mean towing a 1300Kg Compass at just under 100% of kerbweight. The RAV Will pull it ok, but you may have to consider loading up the RAV, and keeping the van light while towing, and certainly fitting a stabiliser. Practical Caravan magazine have towed with the D4D and juggled the loading this way, and they were impressed with theirs. It would be a bit borderline for me to feel safe towing this weight though.

[nickp]

We have a 2004 5 door d4d Rav4 and we tow a Bailey Ranger 470/4 Max Weight 1192kg. The car tows like a dream. The kerb weight for a 4 door is 1490 kg and there is a rule of thumb about not towing more than 85% of the weight of the car. (1490*0.85 = 1266kg) So I think you should be OK. I suggest look at specific caravanning sites for the technicalities e.g. Caravanning Online. We went for a Witter removable towbar but this does mean you can't use a blade type stabiliser.