Towing a 16' Sport

[Big Air]

Hi. We are close to a purchase of the 16 Sport. We want to know if anyone has pulled one with a Rav 4. We have the tow package on the car and it has a V 6 engine. Would like to know how the car handles and also will we be able to see alright in the mirrors? Was also disappointed that we shouldn't get a bike rack/ bumper on the 16. The dealer said the aftermarket bumper didn't work well. Now we will be stuck with a roof rack.

[Len n Jeanne]

I would check with both Toyota and AS about your RAV4's towing capacity. Our former16' Bambi weighed about 3500 pounds. You don't want to be under-powered or put too much strain on your engine if you live in the mountains-- or plan to camp in them.

You will need to get special extended mirrors for towing a trailer. These slip on and off, so you don't drive with them when you don't have the trailer. You can get them at RV supply stores like an AS dealer or Camping World.

We pulled our sixteener with a V6 Toyota Tacoma (crew cab) and got really good mileage (about 15 mpg) when we kept the speed down to 55 or 60 mph. With a cap (canopy) on the back of the truck, we were able to carry all kinds of camping and canoeing gear: a big asset due to the Bambi's limited storage space.

I don't see why you couldn't get that rear bumper added. The 2005 International that we had (prior to its sad demise in an accident) came with the bumper and stone guards as standard equipment. We didn't carry bikes, but appreciated the extra storage space that it provided. We never had any issues with it. AS no longer makes its 16' Sport with the bumper as standard, but our dealer (Airstream of Spokane) said it would be easy enough to add one on when we contemplated replicating our former Bambi.

Have you got stone guards on your Sport? This was something else we would have wanted to add, also, had we gotten another sixteen footer.

Happy camping!

[Road Ruler]

Big Air. Many of us tow an Airstream with a V6. Power is not an issue.

What you should concentrate on is the connection. Get the right WDH and be sure it is set up right.

We had towing Pro's Can Am here in Ontario set up our car. Works great.

[TCwheels]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Big Air. Many of us tow an Airstream with a V6. Power is not an issue.



What you should concentrate on is the connection. Get the right WDH and be sure it is set up right.



We had towing Pro's Can Am here in Ontario set up our car. Works great.

Exactly! Our FC20 tows great behind our V6 Lexus, all set up by CanAm.

[m.hony]

The rear bumper, bumper storage, and rock guards can be added to a 16' Sport. I would be concerned about the size of the RAV4. It is really small.

[mccoy81]

Yes, i have the V-6 RAV set up with the Sport 16 as you have, and works well, plenty of power. You may need to do something about the mirrors though, as you won't be able to see around the Airstream. I'm happy with my set-up, Good luck!

[LucasS]

Guys I just sawa

[LucasS]

I just saw an ad on either CampingWorld or Adventure RV for an apparatus that attaches to the front a frame on the trailer where you can then install any tow hitch mounted bike rack on. It goes up enough to clear the propane tanks. Looks like it would work on any model travel trailer, even a 16 foot

[m.hony]

That li'l man waving at ya on the sidewall is silly, but I want to see him on every tire. He is a mark of quality.


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