It’s time to launch our “empty nest projects!” We want to get our first travel trailer and after going through hell with the local vendors looking at the various lightweight options, we stumbled onto Scamp campers. We immediately fell in love with them. I have a very serious question and I hope someone out there can help. We just bought a 2012 RAV4 Limited, 6cyl, 3.5ltr, 269HP with after -market towing package on it. We are the second owners. We bought this car to pull a small lightweight trailer. It has a 3500lb. towing capacity. We plan to at least add a transmission cooler. We also want the best weight distribution for the trailer. My wife is very small and this car fit her best. We want to get a new Scamp 16 Standard. So far, all of the towing specs work out for us. Prior to finding the scamp, friends told us that we should not pull any of the 2800lb., 17-foot trailers that we were looking at. They thought it was a disaster waiting to happen. We have the engine, but with a short wheel base, they all thought that it would be difficult for my wife to handle in a strong crosswind or when tractor trailers pass by on the throughways. Does anyone out there have any experience towing a Scamp 16 with the same RAV4? We’re on the edge of our seats. We are so close. We’ve had a lot of disappointments with this project. We’re hoping for some good news, so we can move ahead and get a Scamp. Thank you in advance. My email is tmartin6@rochester.rr.com.
Sun, 04/05/2015 - 22:34
#1
Towing a Scamp 16 Standard with a 2012 RAV4 6cyl. with towing
As long as you have verified with the Manufacturer that your vehicle has a 3,500 lb towing capacity you (or your wife) should have no problems towing a 2,600 lb Scamp 16.
As far as the size of your wife vs her ability to control the Tow Vehicle and Scamp I think your friends are under estimating your wife. There is no genetic advantage or "Towing" gene that is given to men but withheld from women. Towing is a Skill, it can be learned equally by both men and women. Driving in a Crosswind or being passed by a Semi is a matter of skill and confidence.
If you or your wife have not towed before I would not recommend you plan a trip across Wyoming in a windstorm for your first trip, but, after some time behind the wheel of your rig your confidence will build and you and your wife should have no problems crossing Wyoming or "Hanging" with the 18 Wheelers as they pass you.
I recommend that you get a Weight Distribution hitch with Sway Control to help ease your concerns.
You also mention adding a Transmission Cooler to your Rav4, this indicates to me, that a "Full Tow Package" may not have been installed, but only the trailer wiring and hitch were installed. This also brings your 3,500 Lb Towing Capacity into question as you may be looking at the specifications for the Rav4 with the Factory installed Towing Package instead of a Rav4 with a hitch and trailer wiring.
A factory installed Tow Package can include: heavy duty springs and shocks, transmission cooler, larger radiator, heavy duty alternator, all items that, added together, make up the enhanced towing capacity for the vehicle with the factory Tow Package. These items may not be included in an "After Market" Tow Package which would not actually increase your towing capacity above the standard Rav4 without the Factory Tow Package.
Bottom Line: once you verify your "Actual" towing capacity, and if it is higher than the weight of your Scamp (plus water, propane and the items you will be packing into the Scamp) you and your wife should be safe towing your new Scamp with the Rav4.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thank you very much! This is very helpful information. It is not a manufacturer towing package. The towing package was put on at the time of the sale. We are the second owner. The service manager at the place where it was first put into use, an official Toyota dealer and service center, insisted that it would tow 3500lbs even though it was not a manufacturer towing package. I’m not comfortable with his response after reading all of the posts. Yes, I want to put on the transmission cooler and I want the high-end weight distribution equipment. We are looking at a 16’ Scamp Standard decked out at about 2,000lbs. No, we aren’t ready for going across Wyoming , hahaha! We’ll tackle the Northeast first. Thank you so very much.
When we were looking for a used tow vehicle this year, I would look at everything that might be a possibility in the area and then check towing limits on the internet. What was irritating was that they often showed a larger number but in the small print, it said that for that limit, say 3,500 lbs, you had to have the factory installed tow package and otherwise, it was 2,000 lbs. I, also, thought and luckily learned before purchase that all vehicles cannot have a tow package added aftermarket. Ifs, ands and buts always make things so much harder.
Cathy
That sounds about what we've been getting Cathy! Thank you so much.
I have the 2012 Rav4 factory/tow pkg, V6. It tows very good. I picked my new 2014 Scamp 16` up in Bakus MN. and drove her home to PA. Via all the turnpikes with all kinds semi`s passing us in heavy rain and wind in early Oct. of last year, nary a problem, no sway. On off highways with great pickup to merge into traffic. No WDH or stablelizers, travel at speeds of just under 60/62 mph. In 4th gear mode. Good luck, Carl
What exactly is in the factory installed towing package for your RAV4. The original dealer said that it was an after market install. He said no problem for towing 3500lbs for our car. After reading the posts and listening to others, I definitely want to install a transmission cooler and the high-end weight distribution equipment. I wish we could upgrade the car besides just a cooler. I have no idea why the original owner did not get the towing package when he got it. We are looking at a Scamp 16 Standard decked out at about 2,000lbs., dry weight. Thank you!
Another resource to check is "Trailer Weights in the Real World". This was the determining factor for me when anguishing over what size Scamp to pull with my Outback. Real world weights and factory weights differ greatly when we start loading our campers with travel supplies. I opted to size down in trailer so I didn't have to worry about damage to my vehicle.
Just a suggestion. Good luck in your search and have fun when you make your final purchase - you'll love whichever Scamp you end up with. The next step will be checking the mods made by other owners.
MarilynB
2013 Subaru Outback & 2004 13' Scamp
That sounds like a great resource. Thank you!
Standard values for the RAV4 are 1500 lbs for the I4, 2000 lbs for the V6 & 3500 lbs for the V6 with factory tow package.
I tow an Escape 17B (3010 lbs trailer weight & 345 lbs tongue weight loaded for a trip) with a 2010 RAV4 Sport (V6 & Factory tow package). According to Toyota, the only changes the tow package makes is the addition of a receptacle under the dash for a 4 pin trailer connector harness, a larger alternator, and an improved fan coupler. I've towed the Escape 56,000 miles over the last 4 years, using a weight distribution hitch. No problems with sway or passing trucks, buses or RVs. I do most of my towing on secondary roads at 57 - 60MPH.
As to a Scamp 16, I towed a friend's 16 from Canada to home (about 200 miles) without weight distribution, also with no problems. A bit better gas mileage (15.8 vs 15MPG) and definately could feel the weight difference.
My Daily Travel Blog
My Photo & RV Website
Thank you! That's great information. Just what we are looking for.
Pages