Toyota RAV 4-V6 pull 16-ft Bambi?

[Skye Nomad]

Hello, Thanks to anyone who can give us advice. We have a 2007 Toyota RAV 4 with a V-6 engine, and 4WD capacity up to 25 mph. We're hoping to pull 16-ft Bambi. I just read lots of answers to a man's question about pulling a 19-ft Bambi with his Toyota FJ. I understand we'd be getting close to the maximum capability. The RAV GVWR is 3500 lb. We're looking at buying an older Bambi that is 2700 lb dry weight. Would we have enough power to go nearly 60 mph? Would we be safe, regarding wheelbase and sway? (I think the RAV clearance is 8.5 inches.) We'd rather not have to get a tent trailer. We'd plan on dropping the trailer at a base camp before ascending on dirt FS roads. Skye

[Hensley Ron]

We've got a few customers pulling with that vehicle, it seems to do very well. Take care of the sway and take it slow going uphill. I had a Chevy truck with a V-6 (4.3L) and regularly towed a 24' Starcraft with it.

[Kajtek1]

I used to tow over 4000 lb (loaded) travel trailer with V6 Mercedes ML rated at 5000 towing.
My friend following me in Honda sedan had a hard time to keep up.
The 215 HP was good for towing 5000 + lb flat trailer over 10,000' elevations.
SUV generally makes perfect TV due to short overhang and stiff suspension. Towing several different and heavy trailers I never had a need for weight distribution or anti-sway devices. It tracked just perfectly.

[Janet H]

the rav 4 would not be my first choice....

I have towed with a similarly equipped explorer and a lighter trailer 2400 lbs.

It can be done, but it's really a comforting experience. And... you will accelerate engine and tranny wear on your tow vehichle.

What is the tow rating on this car? Read your door jam.
Don't forget to include the weight of the stuff in the vehicle and people when running numbers.

[urbanfood]

could you pull it with a rav 4? maybe.

would i pull it with a rav 4? no way.

short wheel base, not enough power are just a few reasons that come to mind.

you can read all the info on the forums here, but in this case, common sense should prevail.

[moosetags]

The combination that you are decribing is not within my towing comfort zone, but to each his (or her) own. For short distances, it may be OK.

[Kajtek1]

For real life experience about light vehicle towing one might go to Europe.
It is really amazing how much of travel trailer can Europeans tow with BMW 318, or 4-cylinder Volvo wagon. Sure the Alps are pretty high.

[urbanfood]

Originally Posted by Kajtek1

For real life experience about light vehicle towing one might go to Europe.
It is really amazing how much of travel trailer can Europeans tow with BMW 318, or 4-cylinder Volvo wagon. Sure the Alps are pretty high.

you mean like this?

YouTube - The Little Car That Couldn't

sorry, i couldn't resist. this video has been on the forums before, it's definately one of the funnier ones i've seen, enjoy

[azflycaster]

In the original post you stated that the dry weight was 2770 pounds, in fact the 62/63 Bambi has a dry weight of only 1875 pounds with 200 pounds on the hitch.

[CanoeStream]

Whoa -- this was strangely familiar from earlier today. Read from here and my response 2 posts later. Get the Airstream you can really fall in love with (maybe tow it home empty?) and only then match it to an adequate tow vehicle for your adventures ... at least for the subsequent 2, 3 or 4 years.

[Kajtek1]

Originally Posted by urbanfood

you mean like this?

sorry, i couldn't resist. this video has been on the forums before, it's definately one of the funnier ones i've seen, enjoy

Have seen that video about 200 times and it is always funny.
But.. you've got it wrong. The car on the video is 2-cylinder Fiat.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Hensley Ron

We've got a few customers pulling with that vehicle, it seems to do very well.

Pretty much sums it up! Its amazing how well some combinations work when set up optimally.

Note over 90% of the rigs on the roads today are not connected optimally and for those folks towing with these less than ideal connections we would expect negative comments and experiences.

Originally Posted by [B

Kajtek1[/b]]
For real life experience about light vehicle towing one might go to Europe.
It is really amazing how much of travel trailer can Europeans tow with BMW 318, or 4-cylinder Volvo wagon. Sure the Alps are pretty high.

Yes.. I have seen BMW 318's and Volvo's towing Airstreams. The owners were happy with their combo's.