Mine is a base 8’ pop up, rated trailer GVWR of 1495 lbs. no fridge furnace stove etc but space for 6. My RAV is a 2012 base 2.5 FWD, and has no problem getting going with the trailer. Towing fuel consumption is (by dashboard) about 10.8 L/100km, at freeway speeds. I am not happy with the braking performance and the trailer doesn’t have brakes, so I will upgrade to the front brakes of the 3rd row seat models. Will also add the rear springs from the same model, along with an external transmission cooler.

In town I’ll haul a yard of gravel/soil if needed but I try to do half at a time.

You want to see towing, check IkeCarlson, that guy’s nuts!

 

Yes your RAV4 can tow it but as Foryota says, can it stop it?
I agree, Ike is nuts - and proud of it!

 

I have a 2011 Rav 4, No rear tire sport appearance package. 4 cyl.

Look in your manual for the maximum tow rating. I think that, for all the 4 cyl ones, it is 1500 lbs.
The V6 models have the base towing at 2000lbs and, with towing package option, 3500lbs.

Toyota RAV4: Driving information - When driving - Toyota RAV4 3rd Gen Owner's Manual

Toyota RAV4. Toyota RAV4 3rd Gen Owner's Manual. When driving. Driving information

www.c-suvs.com

Personally I would add a small transmission cooler if I ever decide to tow with my RAV4 (summers here can be very hot).

 

By the way Magic, please fill in the rest of your profile. Advice for Ontario, CA is different than for Ontario, CAN [emoji846]

The towing weights listed above are what I go by, and I don’t know if a 4-cyl Sport Appearance pack vehicle would have the larger front brakes, but you likely don’t have the third row, which would definitely get the larger brakes.

Best bet, stick with a lightweight trailer and pack accordingly. And add an external transmission cooler.

 

I have a teardrop camper that was built on a 5x8 foot trailer as the base. It probably weighs close to what Foryota's weighs. I have the V6, and it's easy to pull. I added trailer brakes, and the improvement in stopping was well worth it, even with the larger front brakes and rotors.

Foryota, I also put the beefier 3rd row springs on, and now there's no perceptible sagging in the rear (of the car).

A transmission cooler is highly recommended. Keeps temps 25-30 degrees F cooler on mine.

I like Ike. He may be a little nuts, but in a good way. Who else can plow snow with their Rav4?? And he helped me with doing those rear coil springs, not in person but by consultation here. Thanks again, Ike.

 

I have a teardrop camper that was built on a 5x8 foot trailer as the base. It probably weighs close to what Foryota's weighs. I have the V6, and it's easy to pull. I added trailer brakes, and the improvement in stopping was well worth it, even with the larger front brakes and rotors.

Foryota, I also put the beefier 3rd row springs on, and now there's no perceptible sagging in the rear (of the car).

A transmission cooler is highly recommended. Keeps temps 25-30 degrees F cooler on mine.

I like Ike. He may be a little nuts, but in a good way. Who else can plow snow with their Rav4?? And he helped me with doing those rear coil springs, not in person but by consultation here. Thanks again, Ike.

That’s my goal, no sagging in the back. I’m only FWD, so reducing sag is even more important for me. That said I load my trailers about 45% rear to 55% front (about the trailer axle) to balance the load. I don’t like the North American tongue bias forced by the axle being so far rearward, but don’t want to go full-euro, loosey-goosey either. Gotta keep some tongue weight for stability!

And my comment about Ike is that I admire his level of “nuts.” Definitely in a good way.

 

The rav will tow a lot more than they give it credit for. Tongue weight is your biggest issue. It has to be light enough to not squat the rear end, but heavy enough to keep things stable. 100-150 lbs is a good ballpark.

The trailer itself matters as far as alignment and suspension. I have pulled some trailers that were so beat up, worn out, out of alignment, or just built wrong, that it scared me just to hook up to them. Keep it in good shape and keep an eye on your alignment. You want zero toe or just a hair of toe in. Toe out will make it wander.

If you will be towing on a regular basis or on a long trip, get the third row springs. They make a world of difference.

Yes, get a big transmission cooler. Stock transmission temps are 210 or more without a trailer. Ours have dropped to ~140 with the cooler.

Don't make the rav work too hard to maintain speed uphill. Get some speed before the hill and let it bleed off on the way up. A lot of people put the pedal to the floor when towing and think it is fine, but very few vehicles can handle that kind of abuse. Even semi trucks can't do that without serious damage.

As has been mentioned, we tow a lot with our rav and we plow snow. We have towed 6,000 lbs and have plowed 4 ft of hard drifted snow.

 

Sport comes in 4 cyl version too. With same low towing as any 4 cyl.
Somebody said that the 3rd row 4 cyl is the same as in the V6: Different coil springs in Rav4 w/3rd row?

What was the measurement? I am curious, so I took a pic of my V6 (TO package). Laying on back on asphalt, phone in one hand, caliper in the other...

 

Sport comes in 4 cyl version too. With same low towing as any 4 cyl.
Somebody said that the 3rd row 4 cyl is the same as in the V6: Different coil springs in Rav4 w/3rd row?

What was the measurement? I am curious, so I took a pic of my V6 (TO package). Laying on back on asphalt, phone in one hand, caliper in the other...

View attachment 153136

I don't remember the measurements, but I know for a fact that the 3rd row springs I put on my car, which has the V6 and tow package, were thicker and heavier than the ones I took off.


I agree with you, Ike, about how to pull a trailer up a hill. The only time I use cruise control when towing is when it's nice and flat like parts of west Texas.

 

So I gather that you don't have a caliper to measure them now?

A member here compares switching from a Sport V6 SAP to third row springs confirms it is stiffer.

 

It's the same spring part number for the 4WD 4 cyl with 3rd seat and for the 4WD V6 Limited without 3rd row seat?

48231-0R050 - Coil Spring 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 | Longo Toyota Parts

Save On Your OEM Coil Spring (482310r050) For Your 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 Vehicle When You Shop With Longo Toyota Online!

parts.longotoyota.com

"4 wheel drive, limited, with 3rd row seat. RAV4.
4wd. 2wd. 2.4l. 2.5l. With third row seat.
4 wheel drive, base, with 3rd row seat, all.
4 wheel drive, base, without 3rd row seat, 3.5l.

Replaces 48231-42220, 48231-42221"

Or this one for 2WD (confusing):

48231-0R040 - Coil Spring 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 | Longo Toyota Parts

Save On Your OEM Coil Spring (482310r040) For Your 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 Vehicle When You Shop With Longo Toyota Online!

parts.longotoyota.com

"2 wheel drive, limited, with 3rd row seat, all. RAV4. 2wd. 4wd. 3.5l. 2.4l. 2.5l. With third row seat. 2 wheel drive, base, with 3rd row seat, all.
Replaces: 8231-42210, 48231-42211"

LE: I have searched for the 2WD V6 Sport and, with the Base 2WD, indeed it seems that it has softer springs than my 4WD Limited with TO package:

48231-0R010 - Coil Spring 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 | Longo Toyota Parts

Save On Your OEM Coil Spring (482310r010) For Your 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 Vehicle When You Shop With Longo Toyota Online!

parts.longotoyota.com

"2 wheel drive, limited, without 3rd row seat, 3.5l. RAV4. All. 2wd. 4wd. Without third row seat. 2 wheel drive, sport, 3.5l. 2 wheel drive, base, without 3rd row seat, 3.5l. 2 wheel drive, base, without 3rd row seat, 2.5l.
Replaces 48231-42170, 48231-42171"

 

Well shocks don't do anything for the sag. They will lower slower, but after 5 seconds they're the same.
To be clear, what model is your RAV4? Mine is the Limited V6 with towing package, per Toyota VIN info:

Toyota VIN Decoder - Find Vehicle Specifications By VIN | Toyota.com

Discover your Toyota's unique history with our VIN decoder. Enter your VIN to access valuable information like the year it was built, color, technical specifications, optional equipment, and more.

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2007 Limited V6 with tow package and 4WD

 

Hmmm. Plot thickens.

 

Well, I only had sag with the trailer attached. Before the new shocks and the stiffer springs, I didn't notice sag without the trailer. Even without the trailer, though, I liked the feel of the car with the new shocks and springs. It's like I could feel the connection with the back end for the first time. Even though I pretty much drive like an old lady, I like a stiffer suspension.