Towing Escape 17B - which VUS?

[Roberge]

I have a Escape 17B and I have to choose between RAV4 V6 2013 or Subaru Outback H6 3.6R 2013.
Which one is the best?
Any idea?

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Roberge

I have a Escape 17B and I have to choose between RAV4 V6 2013 or Subaru Outback H6 3.6R 2013.
Which one is the best?
Any idea?

Well I got 135,000 miles & 76,703 towing a 3010 lb 17B before trading in my 2010 RAV4 for a Tacoma so you know what I'd suggest...

The biggest hassle for me was the small gas tank & low clearance.

[gbaglo]

What's the tongue limit on the Outback? I believe it is 200 lbs.
The RAV is 350 lbs and a 17B tongue weighs in about 320 lbs.

[rbryan4]

Best is so relative. Depends on how you define best. The Outback is longer, and it's probably more of a midsize vehicle, while the RAV4 is a more compact vehicle. The Outback has a higher towing capacity and more interior space, so that tips the scales for me.

Even though the Outback is heavier, it accelerates more quickly, and has better gas mileage as well. But again, it depends on how you define best.


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[gbaglo]

I'll take on an Outback in acceleration any time. RAV4 V6 is 269 hp.
Goes like stink, even with the trailer attached ( good for highway on-ramps ).

[civi]

The 2013 rav4 is not a v6 from what info i have is they stopped making the v6 in 2012. I may be wrong though. Anyway the 2012 rav v6 is one fast car even when towing. Carl

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Roberge

I have a Escape 17B and I have to choose between RAV4 V6 2013 or Subaru Outback H6 3.6R 2013.

2013 is the first year of the current style of RAV4, which - as Carl mentioned - doesn't come with a V6. There's nothing wrong with that for most purposes, but it makes me wonder about the year... did you mean a 2012? I don't believe any version of this generation (2013 to current) of RAV4 is rated to tow the weight of even a completely empty Escape 17. All good comments about towing with a RAV4 refer to the previous or third generation (2006 to 2012 model years).

I agree that hitch weight capacity is typically a concern for any Subaru, towing almost any travel trailer and certainly any Escape.

If you really are comparing a V6 RAV4 (which has Toyota's 2GR-FE engine) and a six-cylinder Subaru (the fifth-generation Legacy wagon sold as the "Outback")... it's really hard to avoid personal brand preferences, and I'll outright admit that in absence of specific details I would pick Toyota over Subaru every time. Given what I know about these specific vehicles I'm not aware of any reason to pick the Subaru, other than that it is not as unnecessarily tall (I like sensible height station wagons more than the "SUV" or "crossover" versions).

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

The Outback is longer, and it's probably more of a midsize vehicle, while the RAV4 is a more compact vehicle. The Outback has a higher towing capacity and more interior space, so that tips the scales for me.

Even though the Outback is heavier, it accelerates more quickly, and has better gas mileage as well.

The Outback's wheelbase is 81 mm (3.2") longer, and the body length is 180 mm (7") more... not trivial, but not a huge difference. The Outback is a little bit narrower than the 2006-2012 RAV4. With the long Subaru nose, I wouldn't be surprised if the passenger area interior length is no better.

If the Outback has any performance advantage it will be due to less aero drag due to the lower height... which is good when not towing, but will make no difference with a barn door in tow.

[Tworainy]

This is a no-brainer for me: I would take the V6 RAV4 (2006-2012) over the Outback simply by virtue of the towing capacity. RAV4 is 3500 lbs. while the Outback is 3000 lbs. I don't know about you, but once the 17B is loaded up, it would be close or over the Outback's limit. I would feel much safer seeing a RAV4 coming towards me towing a 17B than seeing an Outback towing one.
My two cents worth.

[rbryan4]

2012 V6 or 2013 4 cylinder? The older RAV4 was a great tow vehicle. My answer was based on the 2013.


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[gbaglo]

I'm speaking in tongues. Tongue weight limit for the Outback is #200 as far as I know, and tongue weight on my 17B is #320. My RAV can take #350.
I lost track of the year that the RAV4 became a grocery cart, but others have pointed out that a 2012 can tow a trailer, and a 2013 can haul groceries and soccer balls.
So, it all comes down to numbers.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

2012 V6 or 2013 4 cylinder? The older RAV4 was a great tow vehicle. My answer was based on the 2013.

That's the issue...

• The original question was about a 2013 RAV4, which would be a 2.5L four-cylinder - not surprising if the 3.6L V6 Outback is faster, and irrelevant as it can't handle an Escape.
• Most responses refer to the 2012 (or earlier) 3.5L V6 RAV4, perhaps assuming that was the intention, but the original poster has not responded to confirm this.

[yardsale]

We have been satisfied with our 2011 RAV4 as a tug for our 17b. We also use an Anderson WD hitch. If you go this route, be sure you get a model that has the tow package--not all of them have it. Only 14 mpg while towing at 65 mph however.

[cpaharley2008]

There is always a trade off, properly matching the tow and trailer. Remember you will more than likely get another tow vehicle during your ownership. That said towing without excess capacity will impact your mpg more than vice versa. Have you considered the newer diesel Colorado or Canyon trucks. They seem to be the way to go, I may look at them myself.

[Losangeles]

Originally Posted by yardsale

We have been satisfied with our 2011 RAV4 as a tug for our 17b. We also use an Anderson WD hitch. If you go this route, be sure you get a model that has the tow package--not all of them have it. Only 14 mpg while towing at 65 mph however.

just a thought.... maybe consider towing at 55-58 mph?

in CA 55 mph is the legal max

plus we feel a lot safer at 55-58 mph.... the physics of weight & stopping distance are significantly different at 65 mph

plus you'll use less gas. again - physics and wind resistance.

plus... this is a camping trip, right? what is the rush? slow down a bit and enjoy the view.

just my 2c, worth only 1c.

[nrthwds]

My tow is 2010 Rav4 6. It has a lot of power. Jon, If you were purchasing a new 2017 17b would you get the high lift axle. I am getting the foam underneath. Did you ever really need the extra clearance for the trailer? Getting the wdh also.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

There is always a trade off, properly matching the tow and trailer.

Absolutely - many trade-offs.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Remember you will more than likely get another tow vehicle during your ownership.

Really Jim? Do you trade tow vehicles even more rapidly than trailers?
I keep a new vehicle for over a decade; our 12-year-old Sienna is only at 185,000 km so it has another 100,000 km (60,000 mi) in it. While any Escape will last far longer than a decade, I'm not sure that many people stay with the same RV (of any brand or type) that long.

How long you keep what is certainly a factor to consider, but don't let anyone else tell you when you should replace what.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Losangeles

... this is a camping trip, right? what is the rush? slow down a bit and enjoy the view.

Yes, certainly a moderate pace is great if you can practically do it.
Many people work for a living, are unable to take month-long vacations every time they travel, want to go further than their own neighborhood, and want to spend as much of their time as possible at the destination... so they drive substantial distances at relatively high speeds.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by nrthwds

My tow is 2010 Rav4 6. It has a lot of power. Jon, If you were purchasing a new 2017 17b would you get the high lift axle. I am getting the foam underneath. Did you ever really need the extra clearance for the trailer? Getting the wdh also.

The main reason I purchased the high lift axle is it (at the time) was the only way to get 15" tires. I have far more clearance with the 17 than the RAV4, although now that I have the Tacoma, they are about the same.