Anyone tow with one of the newer (2005 ish) Toyota RAV-4? (also in CR)

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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 that 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
 
I can't answer ypur question I'm afraid, but can i ask how the Freelander copes towing? Is it rubbish and that's why you're after an alternative?
 
We had a Rav 4 & it struggled with an old lighter trailer - upgraded trailer to a 505 & it didn't like pulling it empty !! Have changed car now as well much to partners dismay x
 
Blitzen said:
I can't answer ypur question I'm afraid, but can i ask how the Freelander copes towing? Is it rubbish and that's why you're after an alternative?
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Freelander tows my trailer and horse fine (combined weight of about 1270KG), it's everything else about it that makes it a huge pile of ****.

The amount of money I've spent on that car is painful to think about, and I've had enough.
 
Yes. We towed it with the older model Ifor single which was good and then I got my own trailer which was an old bahill double trailer which weighed the same as the single Ifor. Towed fine, we done motorways and steep hills to forests.
 
Lovescobs said:
I do! 2011 rav 4 so I can use it as main car (does about 40mpg) cheval trailer (750kg) and 400kg or 500kg horse. Not had a problem (though not been in mud when towing) have had to emergency stop (doing about 25mph though) and coped fine (horse wasn't happy and neither was I!)
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This is quite reassuring :)

I need to change cars... I just don't know what to get. Choices I think are:

Honda CR-V (any age within budget)
Nissan X-Trail (any age within budget)
Toyota RAV4 (2005 on, think this is newer model!)
Susuki Grand Vitara (2006 on)
 
Blitzen said:
Oh dear!

What about a Nissan xtrail?
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Yeah they're still on my list of possibilities... like I said I'm trying to find an economical option without compromising ponios travel and without going to big so my licence can't cope.

X-Trails are generally pretty good but they have more common faults than other cars (though the Freelander has more faults than all other cars put together :p)
 
Nosey said:
My mechanic is full of praise about any Toyotas....& he's normally a cynical ******!
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I've had mixed opinions... one former mech said very reliable... one current mech curled his nose up and said 'he wouldn't want one'.

I'm trying to find the best option because the last thing I want is to be stuck with another money eating piece of junk...

Saying that... i know other people who love their Freelanders, I may have just been unlucky!
 
Certainly my Ohs Rav was excellent in every way. Never had any problems, just the usual servicing and things need replaced/ fixed due to wear. What worries me is that he sold it and bought a brand new freelander!
 
holeymoley said:
Certainly my Ohs Rav was excellent in every way. Never had any problems, just the usual servicing and things need replaced/ fixed due to wear. What worries me is that he sold it and bought a brand new freelander!
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;) good luck with that!!!

Though if it's a Freelander 2 I think they're meant to be better all round. They're just too heavy for my licence + trailer combo. I don't think I'd have the confidence to buy another LR though... been too put off.
 
I'm not a car expert but I'm pretty sure Toyota are more reputable in terms of having less issues than Landrover (who I thought had a bad reputation for niggles when new etc, but a good reputation for sorting them for you if that makes sense) the reviews of the rav 4's I looked at did say it has a notchy (not sure if that's a word lol) gearbox and I agree it has which can be quite annoying. Other than that I love it and have has no problems with it (other than the fact it's not self cleaning inside and out....)
However if changing again in the next couple of years if look at the Kia's and the freelanders and the Honda :-)
 
Very reliable car mine's an 05 plate old shape model and had a three door version before that. Agree that the gearbox is a bit notchy. However, it really really lacks the gumption for towing. We had a two small ponies, probably combined weight of 500kg in an Ifor 505 and it burnt the clutch out doing a hill start; had to unload to get it up the hill. We don't use it for towing now; have a much thirstier Jeep - but have the peace of mind that we won't be getting stuck anywhere!
 
No idea re towing capability but my mum had one a few years back and had all sorts of problems with it and it seemed they were renowned for issues. However, I think hers was a 02/03 reg so maybe things have changed.

Not sure how it compares towing capability wise to the Suzuki Vitara (i have seen someone towing an Ifor with one horse in with a Vitara) but I would say the Vitara has much better 4WD capability. I loved my 3 door I had (only had to change it due to finances), the low and high ratio gear box was a godsend in poor ground/ice/snow. I don't think (unless things have changed) that the Rav4 has the same. I think The Nissan X-Trail may also have a high/low gearbox?

A lot of people tow with the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorrento though - they have more capability and are cheaper to buy, plue you get 5 year warranty with both makes. My friend tows with a Santa Fe and loves it.
 
I have a Santa Fe and it has been fine for towing, obviously not in the same league as a LR Disco/Defender or Mitsubishi Shogun but then price and fuel economy is much better. Have you considered Mitsubishi Outlander as they are more economical but I don't know how many years they've been out if you are looking for second-hand.
 
chestnuttyy said:
Yeah they're still on my list of possibilities... like I said I'm trying to find an economical option without compromising ponios travel and without going to big so my licence can't cope.

X-Trails are generally pretty good but they have more common faults than other cars (though the Freelander has more faults than all other cars put together :p)
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I second that about Freelanders having faults, I have an 51 plate auto and its plus point is that it tows as well as a 2 litre can, had no problems going all over everywhere with it, I use it as my main car and ok on fuel if you are not too heavy footed, dreadful if you are! Its minus points are that just about everything electrical has packed up or fell off. Central locking doesnt work on the passenger side, sunroof has packed up one side, door mirror facing on the inside fell off pulling the wiring off as well and now the drivers door doesnt open from the inside intermittently so I have to open the window and open the door using the outside handle. Having said all that its a lovely car to drive and has high mileage and starts on the button everytime even through the cold weather. The radio had broken so had a different one fitted so the steering column controls dont work either! Its worth absolutely nothing so no point in replacing it while it still starts and goes! Probably wouldnt have another one, would go for the x-trail.
 
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