dakodamemphis

Hey All. Im just wondering if anyone can tell me if they are having the same issue. I am finding that the fuel light will come on at least 17 liters prior to being empty. At approx 12-13 liters the needle says she's empty, yet when I fill her full I work out that I still have at least 12-10 liters in the tank. That equates to another 100kms in some cases. I am finding this very frustrating with the new Rav. Yes I know Im sure it for a good cause, yet 12 liters is a lot of unused kms for me. Thanks in advance Get out and about, Enjoy.

Hi David. Sorry for the very delayed reply. If you would still like some info please let me know. We are just about to head to Brisbane from Geelong. Cant wait! Will take lots of pics and post them as we go. Get out and about, Enjoy.

Hey All. Having a major melt down over the rear passenger seat belts. They obviously have the locking thing that stops them being pulled out quickly, however my kids can't even put their belts on as they lock as soon as they start pulling them down. Heading in for a service on Tuesday and will be getting them fixed or replaced with different ones. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Or had this problem resolved? Happy RAVing

Well, as a Rav 4 owner for 7 years having just upgrading to the new AWD GX I'm very happy with the towing. 1500kg cap with the Haymen stabilising system I have no problems. I tow a Jayco Swan around NSW, VIC and SA no problems. As long as you take your time and don't over work the engine you should have no problems. However, I have been stopped once on the way back through NSW and have had my tow ball weight measured. I was well under so no problems. So I believe it is actually a legal requirment. I would check that out as well.

Hi Cruiser. If i had my time again and I had some decent money.... I would deffinatly purchase a my Rav4 and my Jayco Swan they are great items, I would however make some mods to my Rav, and i will in the next couple of months. I plan to look at putting a larger fuel tank in, as big as will fit. (If I were you I would at least carry another 20ltr jerrycan.) I will be fitting a custom exsaust to let the engine breath a little easyier. I have fitted a custom air intake that has help her take in air much much easier as well as a K&N Air filter. If I had the resources I would be putting a turbo on her just to give the engine a little bit more kick. But at the moment I am just about to have a mod chip put to increase and stable out the rpms. I am so very happy with the set-up I have, We are a young family and it suits us perfectly. Im not a mad rush rush get to the destination. I like to take my time and drive as to how the road will let me. If i have to slow up to 80-90 I dont care, Im not busting my bum to go fast. Its a holiday why rush. As for the Kluger, my understanding of it was.... It has the same motor as the Rav. Maybe Im wrong... but whats the point of having a heavier car with the same motor. The Rav will tow 1500 but its the motor that holds it make. (in my oppinion only) I may be wrong. Well I hope this helps. And I plan to do the round trip of Australia in 2012 so please keep us informed. Get out and about, Enjoy.

I also got ride of the rubbish bridgstones that were factory fitted and have replaced with Hankook Dynapro Hps. They seem to run well and are meant to be good for fuel.

Hi All. Rorlflet, glad you liked my post. Im sure you were going to post something on it, so make sure you get around to it. Enjoy all forms of critisum. Well update time.. Have just gor back from a huge trip up north, up the Melbourne to Sydney highway, down through Canberra, down one of the biggest steepest decents Ive nearly ever done,(towing a caravan) to Batemnas Bay. What a beautiful place it is. Warm weather, nice beaches, nice restaurants and good caravan parks. Took us nearly 10 hours to get there, and the Rav never missed a beat. Yes it did cost a good price in petrol but, what are you going to do. All up cost about $300 for 3200kms. Not bad for a small SUV. We did some great driving, anyone that has been over The Great Divide from Canberra to Batemans Bay knows how incredible it is. We have some awesome counrty around us. I highly recomend going up North and checking it out. We headed home down through Bega, Merimbula stopping at Eden for a couple of nights. Who! Eden is small and quant and beautiful. Whales everywhere this time of year. We saw 7 pods scattered all over the open ocean, after we had driven 35kms through Ben Boud National Park. Limstone kind of disty roads. But easy kind of drive. You really need to watch out for on coming traffic as its a windy narrow road. Well, the Rav did wonderfully. If your looking to thrash around and go hell for leather, then this might not be the right car for you to tow a caravan with. But out on its own, not much for the price would beat it. Looking forward to hearing some other stories. What has everyone eles been doing? Well hope the next post will come from WA. Fingers crossed. Get out and about, Enjoy.

Yes, I think so. Something that will change the gear change levels to a better ratio

Hi All Can anyone tell me if there is a Mod Chip out there to increse or change the Revs/Power output. I find that the Revs over the 3rd gear, revs to high and the 4th gear just kick in when its to low. I would like to level out the Revs and make them a bit smoother. If anyone knows of such a chip, that would be great. Brand: Price type: Where to buy: Easy of Install: Thanks All

Jap, I agree but that is NOT what I have been saying. I have been through Gail force winds with my set up and I had to slow yes. If your an idiot who has no experience what so even and does stupid things, and buys a van that I to big for your car, then you may get hurt. Agreed, but this forum is about discussing those points and issues. If you have had experience with a Rav4 towing a caravan then by all means add you post. 2.4 to V8 turbo, if your going into gail force winds, up sand dune, over cliffs your going to have to slow down and you should have some experience. If you don't have experience then you do what most people do and get onto a forum and ask other peoples opinions, good and bad so you can get a basic understanding and then go and try for yourself. I only post FIRST hand experience, in a Rav. If you have the same and have had bad experience then add your post I'd love to hear and learn from you. Get out and about, Enjoy

Hi All Sorry haven't posted in a while. Well have just come back from a big trip down through Mt gambier to Robe South Australia. Firstly the Rav didn't miss a beat, with two adults, two children and two 30kg dogs she did brilliantly. She pulled a Jayco swan fully loaded and I barely new it was there. Ok ok get to the part everyone wants to know, Fuel. I did just on 1000 kms some with the caravan off, but mostly on and I spent $200 on fuel. Stoked. It was a fantasic trip, quite cold but brilliant. I also did some beach driving... Yes beach driving. It was great, the Rav did so well. We went up and down huge sand dunes, across soft beach, over rottenly rough road and the Rav did it, easily. I can NOT fault this car, it is the best car I've ever had. Next big trip is up to Eden in Nsw, can't wait. Anyone eles be doing any caravanning or Off roading.

Hi rolfet, yes I have found it possible. But as they say, just do it. I have a 2007 cv and it pulls my swan PERFECTLY. It just depends were u plan to go, and if you plan to be in a mad rush or happy to take your time. I get around 350kms per tank with van on. Without van I get about 500kms. I say yes go for it. But you need to make your own informed discussion. Hope this helps. Get out and about, Enjoy.

Hi Sandshoe Glad to hear your looking at some other options. There really are some nice vans around. Glad to hear your not looking at upgrading your Rav. Have just come back from a trip to Yarrawonga. The Rav did really well. It was quite hilly as you know you go up over the Great divide. I didnt use cruise ever thought it would push her to much. Was just happy to let her ease up on the hills. In saying that we sat on 110 and we made it to Yarrawonga on one tank of fuel, roughly 350kms. Mind you I did fill up with Shell Optimax. I have been using that recently and have found the Rav is running so well, good fuel consumption and feels nice and smooth. Sandshoe I will send you a message with what I have dont to the rav to try and improve Fuel consumption, it has most deffinatly worked. I am very impressed with what has helped and as you can see I am getting good mileage. I will not post it on here as there are a lot of well lets just say (f*#$*) that dont like other peoples help and opinions. Anyways, am planning a trip down to Robe in couple of weeks. Have planned to do the beach trip from Robe to Beachport. Have been told to allow a full day and to take some special equipment ect. But cant wait. AM not excpecting the Rav to have any problems. You can clearly see the track on Google Earth and it looks great. Will let you know how it goes. Get out and about, Enjoy.

Hi All Firstly let me say to sandshoe, Wow I hope you have a fat wallet. Secondly, My caravan is here. Jayco Swan, it is brilliant. It tows perfectly, up hills it drops down a gear but nothing major. Took her down the Great Ocean Road, not a problem. Caravan pulled realy well, no swaying not over heating nothing. I got the Hayman Reese intermediate system and it levels out the car just perfectly. Fuel: I always track my fuel every fill. Prior to getting the van I average around 10.2L/100kms, average.I normaly get aroung 460+kms out of the tank before fuel light comes on. The trip down the coast 12.5L/100kms. Planning a bigger trip over to Robe and up to Adelaide latter in year so im looking forward to seeing how she goes. Planning to head up to Yarrawonga for a long long weekend in couple of weeks so Im sure that will give me so more good info. Glad to hear that there are some more keen caravaners with there Rav's other than me. Get out and about.. Enjoy.

Hey Potter. I have been looking through some catalogues and notice that ARB do some roof racks. They actually do quite a bit for the RAV4 you should have a look. Kind Regards

Hi All. Well three weeks to go till I get my caravan, so know the mods on the Rav4 start. Am booked in for Hayman Reese Heavy duty towbar on the 14th, and for my Tekonshi P3 breaking system to be installed. I had a couple of quotes, one I thought was great price at $1200 so I booked it in. Thought I'd give one more place a call and the quoted me $590 with my own Brake controller. Picked one up on good old ebay, for $180. Stoked. Needless to say I have booked it in with these guys. Won't say names. But they are in the center of Geelong. Will let you know on workmen ****. I also got a quote from Prestige Jayco for a Hayman Reese weight system for $350. Cant go wrong. So now it is getting exciting. Well keep you all posted.

Hey Potter, We are also planning a trip from Geelong to Perth on June July for a month, cant wait. I have been researching Google Earth to check out most of the stops ie petrol stations and distances. There isnt much more than 400kms max between stops. I will be towing a Jayso Swan and am expecting to get maybe 400kms max from a tank. But it is so hard to tell. I have been thinking about extra fuel, I beleive an extra fuel tank is quite expensive. So I am just going to get a jerry can 20ltrs and tuck it away some where. Should need much more than that I wouldnt think. Please let me now where you are going I am very interested to see how you go.

Hi Mate. Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into the intercooler. I will be very interested to hear about how you go. I have just purchased my Swan Outback. Stoked! Don't get it till april but thats ok. Keep the advice coming though. All the Best

Have an update for everyone. Have been researching and have found that Pedders do a full setup. They've advised me that some new springs for the rear wheels, and as I don't yet have a tow bar that's the most important. This was quoted at $950.00. For a heavy duty towbar rated to 1900 this is perfect. I also asked regarding a weight management system they said to see how I go with the springs otherwise it's $745.00 for that. I have aslo been looking into some engine mods, will let u know how I go. I didn't relise the expandas are rated to 1300. Jayco sale on starting the 6th of Jan. So I'm finaly going to get our van.

Hi All. Sorry for the absence, I have still not yet purchased my Jayco. Bummer. The Rav4 is such a wonderful car. I can not fault it, besides its not the best car for towing. I made a very interesting observation the other day. I was out a Jayco watching a New Outback Dove being hitched to a Patrol. I was shocked to see the Patrols back end sink so much. My thought was that if the Patrols suspension couldnt take a small van my Rav's suspension defiantly coudnt take it. In conclusion, Now I am debating what stance to take: Sell the Rav4 and get a look at a Sports wagon or a Kluger. Or Spend some cash on the Ravs suspension and motor and hope that will help. Dilemma. What to do, what to do.

Thanks Berneic I have been told the toyota tow bar is rated to 1550kg and the hayman reece 1900kgs. So I think I have decided on the Hayman. For price and they are the best. Caravan only weighs 1310 so even fully loaded should be fine. Will just suck the fuel witch i am prepared for.

Can anyone offer any advice on Caravan toweing with the Rav4. What they have towed. How they went. What kind of Rav4. Thankyou

I have just found this site it is great. I am looking around for a Towbar for my Rav4 2007. I have been quote from toyota $970 for theres. I have spoken to a Hayman Reece fitter and they have quoted me $510. Now Hayman has been making them for how long and they are the best in the world. Why is toyotas so expecive and what makes it so good. I am planning to tow a caravan over to Perth a Jayco Expander tow weight 1310. Has anyone done any towing. If so any advie.