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We are planning to buy a car for towing only. I drive approx 400 miles each week to and from work therefore to have a 4x4 to run daily would cost a fortune. 

A colleague at work is selling her RAV4, 3 door, 2 litre, automatic. Is this a good car for towing with it being an automatic? Also, does anyone know what weight the car is capable of towing?

I have tried to look on the Toyota website but can't find any information on the car.  It was registered in 1995 and has the full service history with it.

The price my colleague wants for it is £1000.00 so was also wondering if anyone knew if this was a good price or too high?

Thanks in advance for any information/help that can be given.

To be on the safe side I would ask her to bring the handbook in and check the weights out in the book as it seems the old data on the net is often not terribly accurate having tried to help several people on here recently.

Likewise getting reviews for it are hard as most sites like Honest John have newer versions on them.  Generally Toyotas have a good reputation for reliability though.  I don't think you will find it is a very heavy car though.

Ali

Get hold of this months Practical Caravan - someone has asked about a Rav for towing. It says they are a good tug but quite light so only suitable for lighter vans and it gives the weights.

But a 2 litre automatic of any sort isn't going to be exactly frugal on the juice.

Snowy747 we have looked through the handbook but we could not find any details. 

Bordercaz I will try a newsagent tommorrow.  Thanks for that.

I called into a Toyota garage on my way home from work today and they said it could tow 1500kg but they didn't know what it then breaks down to due to it's age?  The also done a HPI check for free for me.  It's had 6 owners from new in 1995 and no insurance write off's etc.

Hmm, there should be a technical specification section which would tell you weights and things like tyre sizes and pressure etc.

I would try Toyota themselves then, rather than a local garage as they will deffo be able to tell you.

Ali

You need to establish kerb weight, towball loading , max towing weight, max vehicle weight and gross train weight.   Then we can advise you.

We also need to know the MTPLM of your caravan.

Hi,

We tow with a 1999 registered 5 door RAV4 2ltr auto and find it is great.  Quite happily tows our Abbey Vogue GTS and the Sterling Diamond we previously had.

Not sure about the 3 door though, Isn't it smaller & lighter?

Cheers

Paul