Towing and wind 17B Rav4

[Chapitre]

This past Feb/Mar we travelled from Nova Scotia to Florida with the above setup. It was 3200 kms x2 (return) = 7200kms.

Although the RAV towed well (WDH) the biggest issue was the wind. There was no problem with the big rigs passing, but when the wind was up anything over 16 mph - side winds , which Florida has lots of......it was no longer a "fun" drive. When the trailer was being pushed by the wind, so too was the vehicle.

a.We also lost the fridge door ( RM2354) along the travels.
b.Fridge wouldn't work on propane

My questions for everyone out there towing a 17b - :

What are you towing with?
What is your experience with the wind & your vehicle?


I've also read some info on the door- by the way we had nothing stored on the door and only light stuff inside. Roads are very bumpy and rough from here to Florida and back

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chapi

[ksitte]

Hi, Chapi,

We tow our 17B, SittEscape, with a Honda Pilot. We don't use a WDH. We have had absolutely no problems with wind while towing. Sure, we receive the typical buffeting by a cross wind, but no sway, swagger or wagging. And in Montana we get some pretty decent crosswinds!

K&KSitte

[btroxell]

I towed a 17B with a RAV4 (with WDH) for a year before I switched to a Tacoma and never had a problem with the RAV4’s setup. I went through some strong winds and never felt unconfident with its handling. It did move around a little with big gusts but got ‘back in line’. I don’t use the WDH on the Tacoma since I don’t like how it limits ground clearance and WDH’s bars hit a few times on dirt roads.
As for the fridge’s door, check out this link.

Ben

[gbaglo]

Same. I have 17B and RAV. No issues with wind or semis. Highway #1 out to Chilliwack is notorious for crosswind, but not a problem.
If you don't have a Sherline tongue scale, I recommend you get one to ensure that you have the appropriate tongue weight ( 320 ish pounds ).

[Vermilye]

I'm with gbaglo - I don't feel it is a wind or semi buffeting problem - the RAV4 is a front wheel drive vehicle. Unless you do something to get the 300+ lbs of tongue weight back towards the front wheels, you are likely to have traction, steering & braking problems that the WDH helps solve.

[lorrie]

We tow our 17B with a 2005 Toyota Sienna AWD and have come over many hills and valleys and hardly know the trailer is behind us. The winds have never created a problem.

[Brian B-P]

I don't have an Escape, but I have a Boler of similar length and greater weight. We tow with a 2004 Toyota Sienna - front-wheel-drive and with no WDH but using air bags in the rear coils - and have no issues with wind in any direction (although of course a headwind takes more power). The difference in wheelbase between the RAV4 and Sienna is likely very significant in this matter.

[ddevin]

We towed our 17B with a Honda Odyssey (OK), and now a Highlander (perfect), both with a weight distribution hitch. No problems at all with the wind. Sounds like you need to see how your weight is distributed. W.R.T. the fridge door, yes, we have had issues! Now we use a bunny strap, and relax!

[skeena]

We tow with a 3/4 Ton GMC, full size van. Our first trip out was light on the hitch weight and that little 17A had no problem pushing me around in the wind. Increased the tongue weight and all was well. The tow vehicle size is not as critical as a well balanced load.