Anyone tow with one of the newer (2005 ish) RAV-4 4x4?

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chestnuttyy

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Ok before I'm shot down in flames I KNOW the RAV4 is a smaller 4x4, with a smaller GVW/ min kerb weight and all the rest....

However, I have an Ifor Williams 401 (mare and foal) trailer, and a horse than weighs about 480KG... so say 500 KG. I have checked all the weights for the RAV-4 and towing my boy in his trailer is well within it's capability (in fact I have 150KG less weight than it can safely manage).

I was just wondering if anyone had one/ used it to tow with a similar setup?

If I could get a heaver, more powerful vehicle then I would... but I commute over 60 miles a day and my fuel costs would be through the roof. Also only have a B Licence at present.

Currently tow with a Freelander 2.0 TD4 as a comparison.

Thanks :) xx
 
Am I right in saying the max towing weight does also include the occupants of the car and any gear on board? Two adults, tack, water etc will put you well above that 150kg in hand. Personally I wouldn't consider it.

Why not go for a Free Lander 2? They can tow adequate for a single horse and have good fuel efficiency.
 
MegaBeast said:
Am I right in saying the max towing weight does also include the occupants of the car and any gear on board? Two adults, tack, water etc will put you well above that 150kg in hand. Personally I wouldn't consider it.

Why not go for a Free Lander 2? They can tow adequate for a single horse and have good fuel efficiency.
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No, that's not quite right. I'm well within the legal safe weight of the car (ROG just explained all to me in towing clinic).

Freelander 2 is half a tonne too heavy. Plus after my current FL1, I'd never buy one again :(
 
MegaBeast said:
? Are you trying to tow on a B license rather than B+E?

The FL2 has a much better reputation than the FL1 which was shocking according to my local Land Rover specialist.
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Yeah I only have a B licence and taking my test is seemly going to cost a small fortune. Those I've spoken to who took it without having lessons (depsite towing regularly, and well) failed on ridiculous things so I'd rather spend the money on a half decent vehicle! Sadly this does mean vehicle weight is an issue
 
Don't be put off the B+E test, it would simplify things massively and it's not that bad. I did mine nearly exactly four years ago and think it cost £400 including training and the test itself. If you can already reverse a trailer confidently you're more than half way there, I only picked up two minors for being overly cautious - a natural by-product of being used to towing horses!
 
I tow with my Rav 2.2di it's an 06 model. Have absolutely no problems and also did my trailer test with it
 
Ask ROG in the H&H towing thread at the top of the competition riders page.

I have a rav 4, 52 plate. until recently when I moved up to a lorry.

I used a IW 505 as the biggar one was too much to tow with one horse. But the 505 and one horse was fine. Even in and out of fields on grass.
 
Gosh, I really wouldn't tow with my RAV-4. Even if it was legal, I just don't think it's got the weight or the power for a trailer - certainly doesn't feel that way to me anyway.

FWIW the Freelander 2 is an utterly different beast to the Freelander 1 - different chasis, engine and design, and as far as I know they're pretty well rated as tow-ers (more so than a RAV).
 
No, and to be fair I would err on the side of caution when towing - always. I tow a IW 510 using a Shogun SWB 3.2, and usually just one 550 KG horse, occasionaly both of mine (other one is 480 kg) and am happy to keep it that.
 
TheoryX1 said:
No, and to be fair I would err on the side of caution when towing - always. I tow a IW 510 using a Shogun SWB 3.2, and usually just one 550 KG horse, occasionaly both of mine (other one is 480 kg) and am happy to keep it that.
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Yeah... when you do over 14,000 miles a year a guzzler isn't really an option. I can't afford to run 2 vehicles or 1 thirsty one!
 
chestnuttyy said:
Yeah... when you do over 14,000 miles a year a guzzler isn't really an option. I can't afford to run 2 vehicles or 1 thirsty one!
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I totally agree, but what you dont know and I didnt say is that its a fully expensed company car that is used not only for towing the nags, but as my company and family car. Also, I do about 20,000 miles a year, which is both personal and business. Yep, my tax bill for a benefit in kind is not nice, but its far, far cheaper than paying for the diesel, insurance, car tax (£475 a year) etc etc myself.
 
TheoryX1 said:
I totally agree, but what you dont know and I didnt say is that its a fully expensed company car that is used not only for towing the nags, but as my company and family car. Also, I do about 20,000 miles a year, which is both personal and business. Yep, my tax bill for a benefit in kind is not nice, but its far, far cheaper than paying for the diesel, insurance, car tax (£475 a year) etc etc myself.
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Jealous much!!
 
chestnuttyy said:
Jealous much!!
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Please dont be! I have to work 60 plus hours a week in the office, plus put in an additional two hours a night at least. I sometimes dont see my horses from Sunday night until Saturday morning the next week. At least I have a Mini TX to look after our two. I am the only person I know who positively looks forward to spending Saturday morning digging out the banks in my stable and scrubbing out the feed buckets. Total bliss!
 
TheoryX1 said:
Please dont be! I have to work 60 plus hours a week in the office, plus put in an additional two hours a night at least. I sometimes dont see my horses from Sunday night until Saturday morning the next week. At least I have a Mini TX to look after our two. I am the only person I know who positively looks forward to spending Saturday morning digging out the banks in my stable and scrubbing out the feed buckets. Total bliss!
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I don't work quite as long hours.. but a good 40 a week plus 2 hrs a day commuting, it's tough. I also look forward to yard jobs and spending more time with my boy at the weekend :). Lucky having a Mini TX... I don't have a mini, and my partner is non-horsey and works away mon-fri.

Still, it pays the bills and means I can have my ponio... so it's all worth it :). Or at least that's what I tell myself at 5am!
 
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