Get Starting and driving -> Trailer towing Guide for Toyota Rav4 SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

Trailer towing

Your vehicle is designed primarily as a

passenger−carrying vehicle. Towing

CAUTION

a

trailer will have an adverse effect on

handling, performance, braking, durability

and driving economy (fuel consumption,

etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend

on the proper use of correct equipment

and cautious driving habits. For your

safety and the safety of others, you must

not overload your vehicle or trailer. Toyota

warranties do not apply to damage or

malfunction caused by towing a trailer for

commercial purposes. Ask your local

Toyota dealer for further details before

towing.

D The total trailer weight (trailer

weight plus its cargo load) must

not exceed 680 kg (1500 lb.).

D The gross combination weight (sum

of your vehicle weight plus its load

and the total trailer weight) must

not exceed the following.

Two−wheel drive models

2468 kg (5441 lb.)

Four−wheel drive models

2489 kg (5487 lb.)

NOTICE

WEIGHT LIMITS

Do not tow your vehicle from the

rear. This may cause serious damage

to your vehicle.

Before towing, make sure the total trail-

er weight, gross combination weight,

gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight

and trailer tongue load are all within

the limits.

The total trailer weight and tongue load

can be measured with platform scales

found at a highway weighing station, build-

ing supply company, trucking company,

junk yard, etc.

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D The gross vehicle weight must not

Total trailer weight

Tongue load

exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating (GVWR) indicated on the

Certification Label. The gross ve-

hicle weight is the sum of weights

of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-

sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer

tongue load. It also includes the

weight of any special equipment

installed on your vehicle.

Tongue load

100 = 9 to 11%

D The load on either the front or rear

axle resulting from distribution of

the gross vehicle weight on both

axles must not exceed the Gross

Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed

on the Certification Label.

Total trailer weight

D Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-

ent weight capacities established by

the hitch manufacturer. Even though

the vehicle may be physically capa-

ble of towing a higher weight, the

operator must determine the maxi-

mum weight rating of the particular

hitch assembly and never exceed

the maximum weight rating speci-

fied for the trailer−hitch. Exceeding

the maximum weight rating set by

the trailer hitch manufacturer can

cause an accident resulting in seri-

ous personal injuries.

D The trailer cargo load should be

distributed so that the tongue load

is

9

to 11% of the total trailer

weight, not exceeding 68 kg (150

lb.).

Never load the trailer with more

weight in the back than in the

front. About 60% of the trailer load

should be in the front half of the

trailer and the remaining 40% in the

rear.

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HITCHES

BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS

D Never tow a trailer without using a

safety chain securely attached to

both the trailer and the vehicle. If

damage occurs to the coupling unit

or hitch ball, there is danger of the

trailer wandering over into another

lane.

D Use only

a

weight carrying hitch

D Toyota recommends trailers with

brakes that conform to any applica-

ble federal and state/provincial regu-

lations.

designed for the total trailer weight.

Toyota does not recommend using a

weight distribution (load equalizing)

hitch.

D A safety chain must always be used

between the towing vehicle and the

trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the

chain for turns. The chain should

cross under the trailer tongue to

prevent the tongue from dropping to

the ground in case it becomes dam-

aged or separated. For correct safety

chain procedures, follow the hitch or

trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-

tions.

D The hitch must be bolted securely to

the vehicle frame and installed accord-

ing to the hitch manufacturer’s instruc-

tions.

TIRES

D Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are

D The hitch ball should have a light coat

properly inflated. See page 233 Section

of grease.

7−2 and page 258 in Section

instructions.

8

for

D Toyota recommends that the trailer

hitch be removed when not towing to

prevent injury and/or damage by the

hitch in event of a rear end collision.

After removing the hitch, the installa-

tion area should be sealed to prevent

entry of exhaust fumes and mud.

D The trailer tires should be inflated to

the pressure recommended by the trail-

er manufacturer in respect to the total

trailer weight.

CAUTION

TRAILER LIGHTS

D If the total trailer weight exceeds

272 kg (600 lb.), trailer brakes are

required.

D Trailer lights must comply with federal,

state/provincial and local regulations.

See your local recreational vehicle

dealer or rental agency for the correct

type of wiring and relays for your trail-

er. Check for correct operation of the

turn signals and stop lights each time

you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-

age your vehicle’s electrical system

and cause a malfunction of your lights.

NOTICE

Do not use an axle−mounting hitch as

it may cause damage to the axle

housing, wheel bearings, wheels and/

or tires.

D Never tap into your vehicle’s hy-

draulic system as it would lower its

braking effectiveness.

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BREAK−IN SCHEDULE

D Check that your rear view mirrors con-

D Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera-

tion. If your vehicle has manual

form to any applicable federal, state/

provincial or local regulations. If not,

install the rear view mirrors required

for towing purpose.

a

D Toyota recommends that you do not

tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a

vehicle with any new power train com-

ponent (engine, transmission, differen-

tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first

800 km (500 miles) of driving.

transmission, prevent excessive clutch

slippage by keeping engine rpm low

and not racing the engine. Always start

out in first gear.

TRAILER TOWING TIPS

D Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns.

The trailer could hit your vehicle in a

tight turn. Slow down before making a

turn to avoid the necessity of sudden

braking.

When towing a trailer, your vehicle will

handle differently than when not tow-

ing. The three main causes of vehicle−

trailer accidents are driver error, exces-

sive speed and improper trailer loading.

Keep these in mind when towing:

MAINTENANCE

D If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will

require more frequent maintenance due

to the additional load. For this informa-

tion, please refer to the scheduled

maintenance information in the “Sched-

uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s

Manual Supplement”.

D Backing with a trailer is difficult and

requires practice. Grip the bottom of

the steering wheel and move your hand

to the left to move the trailer to the

left. Move your hand to the right to

move the trailer to the right. (This pro-

cedure is generally opposite to that

when backing without a trailer.) Also,

just turn the steering wheel a little at

D Before starting out, check operation of

the lights and all vehicle−trailer connec-

tions. After driving

a

short distance,

stop and recheck the lights and con-

nections. Before actually towing a trail-

er, practice turning, stopping and back-

ing with a trailer in an area away from

traffic until you learn the feel.

D Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing

ball and bracket after approximately

1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.

PRE−TOWING SAFETY CHECK

a

time, avoiding sharp or prolonged

D Check that your vehicle remains level

when a loaded or unloaded trailer is

hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has

an abnormal nose−up or nose−down

condition, and check for improper

tongue load, overload, worn suspension

or other possible causes.

D Because stopping distance may be in-

turning. Have someone guide you when

backing to reduce the risk of an acci-

dent.

creased, vehicle−to−vehicle distance

should be increased when towing

a

trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of

speed, allow at least one vehicle and

trailer length between you and the ve-

hicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as

you may skid, resulting in jackknifing

and loss of control. This is especially

true on wet or slippery surfaces.

D Remember that when making a turn,

the trailer wheels will be closer than

the vehicle wheels to the inside of the

turn. Therefore, compensate for this by

D Make sure the trailer cargo is securely

making

a

larger than normal turning

loaded so that it cannot shift.

radius with your vehicle.

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D Crosswinds and rough roads will ad-

versely affect handling of your vehicle

and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention

to the rear from time to time to pre-

pare yourself for being passed by large

trucks or buses, which may cause your

vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying

happens, firmly grip the steering wheel

and reduce speed immediately but

gradually. Never increase speed. Steer

straight ahead. If you make no extreme

correction with the steering or brakes,

the vehicle and trailer will stabilize.

D Because of the added load of the trail-

When restarting out after parking on a

slope:

er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat

on hot days (at temperatures over

30_C [85_F]) when going up a long or

steep grade with a trailer. If the engine

coolant temperature gauge indicates

overheating, immediately turn off the air

conditioning (if in use), pull off the road

and stop in a safe spot. Refer to “If

your vehicle overheats” on page 188 in

Section 4.

1. With the transmission in “P” position

(automatic) or the clutch pedal de-

pressed (manual), start the engine.

(With an automatic transmission, be

sure to keep the brake pedal de-

pressed.)

2. Shift into gear.

3. Release the parking brake (also foot

brake on automatic transmission ve-

hicles) and slowly pull or back away

from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply

your brakes.

D Always place wheel blocks under both

the vehicle and trailer wheels when

parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.

Put the transmission in “P” (automatic)

or in first or reverse (manual). Avoid

parking on a slope with a trailer, but

if it cannot be avoided, do so only

after performing the following:

D Be careful when passing other ve-

hicles. Passing requires considerable

distance. After passing a vehicle, do

not forget the length of your trailer and

be sure you have plenty of room be-

fore changing lanes.

4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.

CAUTION

D Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or

the posted towing speed limit,

whichever is lower. Because insta-

bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle−

D In order to maintain engine braking effi-

ciency, do not use fifth gear (manual

transmission) or overdrive (automatic

transmission).

1. Apply the brakes and hold.

2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-

der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.

3. When the wheel blocks are in place,

release your brakes slowly until the

blocks absorb the load.

trailer

combination

usually

in-

creases as the speed increases, ex-

ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may

cause loss of control.

4. Apply the parking brake firmly.

5. Shift into first or reverse (manual) or

“P” (automatic) and turn off the engine.

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’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

How to save fuel and make

your vehicle last longer

Improving fuel economy is easy—just take

it easy. It will help make your vehicle last

longer, too. Here are some specific tips

on how to save money on both fuel and

repairs:

D Avoid long engine idling. If you have

a long wait and you are not in traffic,

it is better to turn off the engine and

start again later.

D Slow down and downshift before

descending steep or long downhill

grades. Do not make sudden down-

shifts.

D Avoid engine lugging or over−rev-

ving. Use a gear position suitable for

the road on which you are travelling.

D Avoid holding the brake pedal down

too long or too frequently. This

could cause the brakes to overheat

and result in reduced braking effi-

ciency.

D Keep your tires inflated at the cor-

rect pressure. Underinflation causes

tire wear and wastes fuel. See page

233 in Section 7−2 for instructions.

D Avoid continuous speeding up and

slowing down. Stop−and−go driving

wastes fuel.

D Do not carry unneeded weight in

your vehicle. Excess weight puts

heavier load on the engine, causing

greater fuel consumption.

a

D Avoid unnecessary stopping and

braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try

to time the traffic signals so you only

need to stop as little as possible or

take advantage of through streets to

avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-

tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-

den braking. This will also reduce wear

on your brakes.

D Avoid lengthy warm−up idling. Once

the engine is running smoothly, begin

driving—but gently. Remember, howev-

er, that on cold winter days this may

take a little longer.

D Keep the automatic transmission

overdrive turned on when engine

braking is not required. Driving with

the overdrive off will reduce the fuel

economy. (For details, see “Automatic

transmission” on page 101 in Section

1−6.)

D Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams

whenever possible.

D Do not rest your foot on the clutch

or brake pedal. This causes premature

wear, overheating and poor fuel econo-

my.

D Accelerate slowly and smoothly.

Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high

gear as quickly as possible.

D Maintain a moderate speed on high-

ways. The faster you drive, the greater

the fuel consumption. By reducing your

speed, you will cut down on fuel con-

sumption.

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Starting and driving -> Trailer towing for Your Toyota Rav4 SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

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