RAV 4 Hybrid

[Lisa95945]

Is anyone out there using a RAV 4 Hybrid to tow a teardrop? We're wondering how it does on Western mountain freeway driving and what sort of mileage you are getting in general. Our TD weighs about 1200 lbs.

 

[catinmoon]

I don't have an answer but hope someone replies to this as I am in the market

 

[QueticoBill]

Me too.

I am disappointed they dropped the 6 cylinder option - which is what I have now. Trying to decide if it will go to 300,000 miles - which hopefully would be all I'd ever need. Even the hybrid which is a little better at acceleration than the basic 4 cylinder is still a bit if a dog.

 

[catinmoon]

I've been trying to find one of the 6 cylinder ones that is still in good shape. I believe 2012 was the last year they made them.

 

[Tony Latham]

What's the tow weight rating?

Tony

 

[catinmoon]

towing capacity for rav4 v6 2010 is 1500-2000#. I'm not sure why the range, maybe the lower refers to the 4 cylinder

 

[John61CT-TNT]

I've been trying to find one of the 6 cylinder ones that is still in good shape. I believe 2012 was the last year they made them.

A hybrid electric?

 

[catinmoon]

no i meant I have been looking for a 6 cylinder rav4 instead of the 4 cylinder ones that are the norm.

 

[jondbar628]

We have an Avalon hybrid. Don't know if it is the same 4 cyl. in the RAV4 hybrid. It's an Atkinson cycle engine (sort of) for efficiency. It is not rated for towing - Toyota actively discourages towing for this vehicle. I think the lack of towing capability has more to do with the CVT than the hybrid drive. It is set up to maximize MPGs. As I said, I don't know if the RAV4 has the same setup...........jd

 

[QueticoBill]

My manual - 2007 RAV4 - says 3500 pounds and 350 tongue weight. I'd be surprised if that changed for the V6 before the new model in 2013 but anything is possible

 

[ferbal]

I have not done a ton of towing with my 2017 RAV4 but I have towed with it. Its not a hybrid but it is the 4 cylinder. I found that leaving it in sport mode while towing gives decent performance but I never go over 55 while towing. I once severely overloaded it for a short haul, a semi water logged 22 foot sail boat, braking was the biggest issue. But other than that it tows fine as long as you keep it under 3k in weight.

 

[hybridfan-TNT]

Hi Lisa
I’ll be using a 2019 Rav4 hybrid to tow my build. It has a 1750 lb tow rating. I’ve pulled a HF 4x8 loaded with furniture and it did great. Looking forward to seeing how it does with my squaredrop build.

 

[TearDrop]

I bought a 2019 Rav4 Hybrid to tow my teardrop. 1700 lbs loaded with gear and 170 lbs tongue weight. It tows beautifully. Often get 40mpg without the trailer. Drops to about 30mpg with the trailer. Barely notice the trailer is back there. I've towed from the west coast to Michigan and beyond 4 times now and I love my tow vehicle teardrop combo. Up and down mountains. Into headwinds on the plains. Through summer downpours and winter storms. They do well together.