[Climbitnow]

I’m taking my 2010 RAV4, V6, 4WD Limited on a 3,000+ highway mile trip to Colorado soon. Cargo includes: skinny runt me, two fellow hikers, both 200 pounders, and a lot of hiking stuff (backpacks, boots, groceries, laptops, suitcases full of clothes for 12+ nights, etc.). This will be the most the RAV has been loaded so far (7,500 mi on the odometer).

The recommended tire pressure for the 225 65R17, Bridgestone Dueler H/T 687s is 32 psi. I have always run them at 34 psi since new. Tires have been rotated once to date.

The ‘Tire and Loading’ placard on the door frame says the ‘Combined load of passengers and cargo should never exceed 825 lbs.’ The placard does not mention any change in tire pressure, from 32psi, for any change in loading. I would estimate our total load for this trip at about 650 lbs. (650/825 = 79% of max load). The tire sidewall information says, “Max load: 1,819 lbs @ 44 psi”.

The Bridgestone Tire Maintenance, Safety and Warranty Manual only says to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for tire pressure. (lawyer talk).

Considering the load I will be carrying, would it be advantageous, to get the best mpg possible, to increase the tire pressure for this trip? Air temperature on the trip out and back will be in the mid 80s at least, and for almost two weeks at our destination the daily highs will only be in the low to mid 70s.

Thanks for any advice.

Tom

 

[Climbitnow]

I'd run 40 psi cold for a good compromise of mileage and ride quality. I'd inflate with nitrogen if possible. You can find it in Indiana, race car country.
Don't put any of your gear on the roof, it'll kill mileage. Run 70 mph max even tho you may hit speeds limits of 75 out west. My brother-in-law who was driving back to AK from CT, a 6000 mile trip, had his mileage drop from 28 to 17 going thru Montana at 75mph with some extra cargo he picked up on the roof rack. The V6 ran so effortlessly he didn't notice until the next fillup. After that he slowed down, stuffed the gear into the car and got the mileage back.

Sounds good. I removed the roof rack crossbars a couple of months ago, wind noise dropped appreciably. Almost all of the speed limits will be 70mph so that is where I will set the cruise control. When it gets mountainous, west of Denver, I will kill the cruise and deftly manage the big grades by speeding up somewhat going down and letting the speed drain off going up.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Climbitnow]

Climbitnow, this is a bit off topic but I have to ask. You are planning on taking lots of pictures and sharing them with us, correct? :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

It would be great to see Colorado from another person's perspective

Definitely! I love taking pictures of the mountains and my RAV4 and you will see them for sure!

This is my second hiking trip to CO but I did not have my RAV on the first trip.


I liked your pictures of some of those rough roads that you wisely avoided, I will do the same. The other car in our group is a 2005 GMC Envoy 4WD and loaded with all the options. He has a real super low gear set up for real 4 wheeling. Like last year, we won't be getting too adventurous with our SUV investments as long as our legs keep working.....

 

[Climbitnow]

One thing to note: when you get to CO, your tire pressures will be at least 2 psi higher than what you fill them to in OH. I have the same tires on my RAV and just completed round trips from Denver to Vegas and Denver to Omaha; I ran 35 psi on both trips. I touched 28 mpg a couple of times, but mostly high 23 to high 25 mpg. I drive posted +5 mph, so in UT there is a place posted for 80 mph (a test the sign says). Most of the driving was at 75 mph - 80 mph as I want to get to where I am going! So, given my speeds the mileage is respectable.

I have found that if one can keep the speeds below 70 mph, one will see higher mileage. I use the cruise control extensively but have found that my foot actually does a better job for higher mileage. Go figure. But I don't slow down behind big rigs!

For some reason I get some of my best mileage in the mountains here - going uphill. This baby likes to run at 4000 rpms! The Grand Junction to Denver leg was slightly over 28 mpg.

So, have fun with your trip and possible experiment a little with the pressure and driving technique/speeds. Remember, you are going to be moderately+ loaded going uphill ALL the way here once you hit KS. Happy hiking!

We will be staying at ski condos at about 10,000 feet above sea level. Then we drive UP to trailheads every day at 11,000 to 12,500 feet. I'm thinking 37 psi would be good compromise. I'll be tracking every gallon of gas.

It's kind of odd arriving in the mile-high city of Denver and realizing we have 4,000 more feet of climbing heading west.

Thanks for the tip.