Toyota RAV4 Prime (plug-in hybrid)

[Chuckwagon]

Now that the Rav4 prime has been around for a few years, has anyone tried towing with it? The prime has a tow rating of 2500 pounds. Does this 4 cylinder car have enough power to tow a 560 in the mountains? Any problem getting the wiring and trailer brakes installed?

 

[JohnC]

I'm towing with a Rav4 hybrid which is rated for 1700 lbs. Going uphill is definitely noticeable but for my trips and where I live and drive I don't find it problematic. You would obviously have more power but it would certainly depend on where and how often you tow uphill. If you routinely tow long miles uphill you might want to make sure your vehicle has additional engine and tranny cooling. You're really going to have to do some homework specific to your driving/towing situation.

As for trailer brakes and wiring I'd stick to a shop that is familiar with that type of work. Definitely wouldn't go to a car dealer for any kind of wiring.

 

[Sweeney]

I'm towing with a Rav4 hybrid which is rated for 1700 lbs. Going uphill is definitely noticeable but for my trips and where I live and drive I don't find it problematic. You would obviously have more power but it would certainly depend on where and how often you tow uphill. If you routinely tow long miles uphill you might want to make sure your vehicle has additional engine and tranny cooling. You're really going to have to do some homework specific to your driving/towing situation.

As for trailer brakes and wiring I'd stick to a shop that is familiar with that type of work. Definitely wouldn't go to a car dealer for any kind of wiring.

The Autowbrake makes wiring easy -- it uses just the fact both brake lights came on as an indication its time to brake -- you don't need an onboard brake controller. Just 12 volt to recharage the onboard battery, which is a legal requirement.

I've also got a rav4 hybrid --- its my #3 tow vehicel -- meaning, the otehr 2 have to be 'down' before I'd use it. When I do, I lock the top speed at 60. The trailer feels heavy - I'm right at the 1700 pounds with mine (maybe slightly over? I've never put it on a scale)

I assume the prime has a beefed up braking system, stopping is what feels so squishy to me. I'm a flatlander, so I can't talk about hills. Watch your trailer loading, the hybrid anyway isn't very heavy and gets pushed around a little

 

[JohnC]

The Autowbrake makes wiring easy -- it uses just the fact both brake lights came on as an indication its time to brake -- you don't need an onboard brake controller. Just 12 volt to recharage the onboard battery, which is a legal requirement.

I've also got a rav4 hybrid --- its my #3 tow vehicel -- meaning, the otehr 2 have to be 'down' before I'd use it. When I do, I lock the top speed at 60. The trailer feels heavy - I'm right at the 1700 pounds with mine (maybe slightly over? I've never put it on a scale)

I assume the prime has a beefed up braking system, stopping is what feels so squishy to me. I'm a flatlander, so I can't talk about hills. Watch your trailer loading, the hybrid anyway isn't very heavy and gets pushed around a little

I'm already using the Curt Echo. I'm happy with it. @Chuckwagon wanted to know about the Rav Prime and options.

 

[Sweeney]

I'm already using the Curt Echo. I'm happy with it. @Chuckwagon wanted to know about the Rav Prime and options.

I've seen those --- was curious about them. It would be a very nice alternative to installing a autowbrake that is for sure.

I only have the one trailer at this point, and its equipped so I don't see me adding it anytime soon...

 

[JohnC]

I've seen those --- was curious about them. It would be a very nice alternative to installing a autowbrake that is for sure.

I only have the one trailer at this point, and its equipped so I don't see me adding it anytime soon...

Well, it works pretty good. Only downside is you do have to plug it in and take it out for every trip.

 

[Sweeney]

Well, it works pretty good. Only downside is you do have to plug it in and take it out for every trip.

I can see where these would be highly pilferable at a rest area...not sure I"d be thrilled about that.

 

[JohnC]

I can see where these would be highly pilferable at a rest area...not sure I"d be thrilled about that.

That thought has crossed my mind. I always leave it plugged in on overnights while traveling to a destination and have not had any issues. I will say, I'm not a boondocker who parks in remote places. Most of my overnights are at a Love's or sometimes an actual campground.

I'm also pretty sure people who don't own one don't even know what it is or even notice it.

 

[Sweeney]

That thought has crossed my mind. I always leave it plugged in on overnights while traveling to a destination and have not had any issues. I will say, I'm not a boondocker who parks in remote places. Most of my overnights are at a Love's or sometimes an actual campground.

I'm also pretty sure people who don't own one don't even know what it is or even notice it.

I think you're right. Its one of those things that hides in plain sight. Kind of like the white van with very dark tinted windows with a vent on top, and a curtain separating the drivers area...once you realize what a 'van dweller' looks like you see them all over the place.

I've been really surprised -- I've lot-docked a few times, and gone of campgrounds that were not gated in any way, quite a few times (dispursed camping) and never really had a problem. I'm hesitatnt to see that about BLM, since I havn't dont that yet. I think it is fair to say that our society is far more polite than the media disguised as journalists would want us to believe.

 

[JohnC]

I think you're right. Its one of those things that hides in plain sight. Kind of like the white van with very dark tinted windows with a vent on top, and a curtain separating the drivers area...once you realize what a 'van dweller' looks like you see them all over the place.

I've been really surprised -- I've lot-docked a few times, and gone of campgrounds that were not gated in any way, quite a few times (dispursed camping) and never really had a problem. I'm hesitatnt to see that about BLM, since I havn't dont that yet. I think it is fair to say that our society is far more polite than the media disguised as journalists would want us to believe.

I had never towed anything before buying my 560. It was an experience and an adjustment to deal with everything involved in towing and camping with a trailer rather than a tent. As time has moved on I've gotten more comfortable and much less paranoid about things.

I've also found that my interests tend to lie with visiting locations that aren't remote. My trips are mostly based on wildlife and/or landscape photo ops. Although I tend to be a spring and fall camper I am still around many people when camped. I realize anything can happen anywhere but I'm not the least bit worried somebody will steal my camper out of the campground. Nothing is locked. When I leave during the day I make sure to leave no valuables in the camper and I always leave both doors unlocked. No need making somebody break in only for them to find there's nothing to steal.

I do think I might feel a bit different if I was driving many miles off the main roads to boondock in the wilderness and then be gone most of the day. But that really isn't applicable to my adventures.