4/16/2023 0 Comments Rav4 hybrid towing capacity![]() The speed at which the effects become an issue lowers based on the following variables:ĭynamic instability increases as the mass of the trailer gets larger in relation to the mass of the tow vehicle (trailer to tow vehicle ratio)ĭynamic instability decreases as the center gravity moves back in relation to the axleĪmong others not covered (lateral stiffness pivot point to rear tow vehicle axle, etc) The effects of dynamic instability are relative to speed ![]() There are a lot of variables of physics that act on a trailer and vehicle combo that are outside the scope of traditional vehicle dynamics, don’t believe me? Bam!ĭem physics! Mmm! There is roll, yaw, yaw stiffness, static stability and dynamic stability (oscillation) and a host of variables that interplay with the host vehicle but to simplify this article and to dilute the science to a point I can understand I’m going to focus on the one that causes the most trouble dynamic stability, sway or as James May likes to say a “Tank slapper”.įor reasons that the math savvy will understand the basic conclusions are these: It’s pretty math heavy and I’m not sure I understand it completely but from it I gleaned a lot of information. He promptly told me we was busy doing science things but turned my attention to a technical document, written in 2008 by Delphi published by the SAE, to investigate the dynamic properties of articulated vehicles (cars and e sciency already!) and the effectiveness of trailer sway mitigation techniques. Given that I only managed one year in my mechanical engineering program before switching to communications, I know is phoney major, my first step was to consult a rocket scientist. The quick and easy response would be to say that the litigious US doesn’t want you towing something that big with something small or some type of small car hating conspiracy cult or something like that but what about science? Can science help? It turns out that it can! After little thought I decided to investigate, I mean how hard could it be? Its not like its rocket science. So what gives? I see this all the time in European countries and as shown by top gear huge caravans being towed by dinky little things. Well obviously the Aussies have a super tough version that’s different than mine.I mean, everything is tougher in ‘Straya right? Nope, turns out they are, aside from LHD vs RHD, the same exact thing. As it turns out in Australia, an SG forester XT.just like mine.is rated to tow 1.8 (braked) tonne or just under 4000 lbs. The hell?! That trailer, or “van” as they are called in the land of spiders, HAS to weigh more than 2400 lbs. Given that the forester is a small car by American standards I wasn’t surprised by the lowish 2400 lb tow rating but upon searching for a light weight travel trailer that my car could handle I stumbled upon several images like this from Australia, the UK and other such places. This question first came to my attention when I owned a forester, a 2005 XT manual to be precise and, having grown up camping and with the addition of a family member started to weigh my options in a towed camping array. Have you ever wondered out loud and at parties why European countries and other non-American countries seem to be able to tow houses with 1 liter econoboxes where in the US you would need a peterbilt to pull the same load? No? Me too! Wait did you say no? Hey where are you going! I’ve got science! Here's an explanation why tow ratings elsewhere in the world are much higher than in the US. I'd suggest not to confuse owners with over inflated specs as some folks are gullible enough to follow and damage their vehicle: Plus, we are not in EU anyway.Īnd this by far is not the same capacity. ![]() I do well understand that CVT is friction based transmission yet Hybrid is electrical motor based AWD that goes AWD only when there is demand for it. It clearly states hybrid tow capacity to be higher than non hybrid CVT. You have though much lighter vehicle and less powerful engine.
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