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Old 06-25-2015, 05:08 AM   #1
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SLX 154bh axle flip, more tongue weight?

I finished the axle flip on my new to me 154bh, attached the TT to the TW, set up the WD hitch (with the new height setting to make the TT level) and now the rear end of my Rav4 is sagging. When I first picked up the TT, I didn't notice any sagging.

did raising the TT 4 inches cause more weight on the tongue? only other thing is that the water heater was now full (6gallon)

I'm having inflatable helper springs installed today, hopefully that will fix the problem for our maiden voyage tonight!
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Old 06-25-2015, 07:03 AM   #2
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What is the actual tongue weight on the TT?
What are the weight limits for the Rav4? both Trailer weight and Tongue weights?


Just from taking a quick look at the specs for the TT and TV I think you are pushing your luck. Plus raising the TT 4 inches will have an affect on the center of gravity on the TT.


Wish you luck with your maiden voyage.


Just my opinion
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Old 06-25-2015, 07:07 AM   #3
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TT: TW about 350lbs Total weight under 3000lbs loaded
TV: 3500lbs / 500lbs with WD hitch, I have 400-600lbs bars on the wd hitch
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Old 06-25-2015, 07:46 AM   #4
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Are those your actual weights?

The search I did showed 3500 lbs max towing capacity w/tow package and 350 lbs max tongue weight w/tow package for the V6 engine
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Old 06-25-2015, 07:56 AM   #5
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tongue weight was 280 when I got it last week, with empty propane and water heater, now I have 20 lbs more for propane and 6 gallons of water 50lbs, so I'm guessing it's close to 350.
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Old 06-25-2015, 08:07 AM   #6
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the following was copied from the 2012 Rav4 owners manual


Page #267
Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.


Page #273
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.


Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or


the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc.


Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow


hitch mounted carriers.








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Old 06-25-2015, 08:17 AM   #7
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Not trying to burst your bubble But just giving my opinion for your safety and the safety of your passengers. The fact that you raised the TT 4 inches would be a concern.


I was lucky years ago and walked away from a TT that jack-knifed and flipped onto its side. "I wasn't the driver" But I will tell you this It's something I hope I and others never have to experience


I don't know if your TT has electric brakes but if it does I hope you have them hooked up.
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Old 06-25-2015, 09:42 AM   #8
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thanks for your concern,


but the Rav4 V6 with towing package is rated at 3500lbs towing, the guy I bought it from had the same SUV to pull it and had no problems at all towing it...


the axle flip is a factory option, the "BAJA" edition of the same trailer has the axle flip from the factory, so I'm not worried about safety, it's a low trailer even with the axle flip, electric brakes are in good working condition.


my owners manual states 1500lbs for the 4 cylinder, 2000lbs for the V6 without towing package, and 3500lbs for V6 with towing package. The text posted about not being a TV is most likely for a Corrola or Prius
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Old 06-25-2015, 10:32 AM   #9
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You are correct and I stand corrected The owners manual that I copied was for the Rav4 EV


Although I do feel that you are approaching your limits.


Enjoy your maiden voyage
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Old 06-25-2015, 10:42 AM   #10
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The axle flip should not have changed anything. What probably changed is the setup of your WDH. Sounds like it is not adjusted as well as it was previously.

If the trailer was level, before and after, the tongue weight will not change. But if you dismantled the WDH you will need to readjust it.

Theoretically if you raised the trailer 4" and the hitch head 4" they should still be in correct adjustment/alignment but......
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Old 06-25-2015, 10:52 AM   #11
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there is a pin with washers on it to set the angle of the WD hitch, I'm guessing It might of moved when I was flipping over the shank, can that make a big difference? I thought it was only for small adjustments?
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Old 06-25-2015, 01:26 PM   #12
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Can you do a hooked up and unhooked up front fender measurement to see if you are getting your front axle weight returned?

1. Measure front fender height from ground without trailer attached.
2. Measure fender height after attaching trailer but without bars engaged.
3. Engage bars and measure again.

1 and 3 should be very close if the WDH is setup properly. The rear will still of sagged a bit. Measurement 2 should be higher (larger) than 1 and 3.
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Old 06-25-2015, 06:27 PM   #13
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I added an extra washer to the pin that set the angle of the bars, retighented everything, and cars was about half an inch lower in the back then normal, so a lot better than the 3 inches it was before! now that the air bags are in with minimal pressure, I just need to dial in the perfect pressure and it should be level...


we arrive at the camping for the maiden voyage, 60 miles, went perfect, no sway, 55mph all the way


Only bad thing, my mileage went from 20 mpg to 10mpg.


thanks all for the help!
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Old 06-25-2015, 07:21 PM   #14
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Glad all went well for you
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Old 07-09-2015, 07:57 AM   #15
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your tongue weight flex's with the amount of weight loaded into the trailer... it is actually a math calculation, roughly 10% of what ever the trailer weight is. it would be easier to google it than for me to try to explain it....
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Old 07-11-2015, 11:35 PM   #16
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Two things for you. I have a 165BH. Weighs 3050 loaded with a tongue weight of 415lbs., actual weights from CAT scale. I pulled it with a V6 Ford Escape. 3500 lbs tow capacity. This pulled it ok but not great. Really strained to reach 60mph. Fuel mileage went from close to 30 to 12. I bought a cheap Chevy Suburban. (Only get 9mpg towing) What a difference that made towing. No more white knuckle towing and a whole lot less bounce going down the road. Towed 900 Miles each way a few months ago with no issues. Almost forgot it was back there at 65mph. I'm not afraid to use the Escape for short trips (less than 100 miles) but ain't no way I would use it for a long haul or in mountains. These smaller vehicles will do it but be careful. They are at their limits. Watch all your temps and use whatever device Toyota has to keep it out of overdrive. Limit the gear hunt. Rather run it higher RPM than constantly shifting gears.

Next, how hard was the axle flip? Been thinking about doing it for a year now. Do I need any special tools or kit to do the job. How long did it take? I'm pretty handy(marine engine mechanic) but I've never messed with suspensions before. What would I need to look at for trouble issues? What gave you trouble?
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Old 07-12-2015, 07:25 AM   #17
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Two things for you. I have a 165BH. Weighs 3050 loaded with a tongue weight of 415lbs., actual weights from CAT scale. I pulled it with a V6 Ford Escape. 3500 lbs tow capacity. This pulled it ok but not great. Really strained to reach 60mph. Fuel mileage went from close to 30 to 12. I bought a cheap Chevy Suburban. (Only get 9mpg towing) What a difference that made towing. No more white knuckle towing and a whole lot less bounce going down the road. Towed 900 Miles each way a few months ago with no issues. Almost forgot it was back there at 65mph. I'm not afraid to use the Escape for short trips (less than 100 miles) but ain't no way I would use it for a long haul or in mountains. These smaller vehicles will do it but be careful. They are at their limits. Watch all your temps and use whatever device Toyota has to keep it out of overdrive. Limit the gear hunt. Rather run it higher RPM than constantly shifting gears.

Next, how hard was the axle flip? Been thinking about doing it for a year now. Do I need any special tools or kit to do the job. How long did it take? I'm pretty handy(marine engine mechanic) but I've never messed with suspensions before. What would I need to look at for trouble issues? What gave you trouble?
the escape V6 has 203 hp, vs the rav4's 269hp, those exta 66hp make a big difference since I have no difficulty accellerating. the transmission oil temperature is the only problem I found, with even with the towing package and it's extra oil cooler, I was seeing over 200F with my scangauge. Installed a 14.4btu cooler and temps without towing dropped by 35F (should be the same when towing).

the axle flip was pretty easy with the dexter kit, took about 2 hours to do the actual job. took me more time because I decide to change out the nylon spring bushings and I damaged one of the eye bolts. you don't need to weld the spring mounts, but for peace of mind, they recommend doing a couple of spot welds to make sure they never move.

just don't make the same mistake as me when you re-setup your wd hitch after the axle is flipped, I messed up the angles when raising the hitch... reason I started this thread originally
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Old 07-12-2015, 10:01 AM   #18
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Did the flip give you enough clearance? Basically is it worth it? I sweat every time I take it to a certain lake with a pot holed dirt road and Into some gas stations.
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Old 07-12-2015, 10:05 AM   #19
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Did the flip give you enough clearance? Basically is it worth it? I sweat every time I take it to a certain lake with a pot holed dirt road and Into some gas stations.
It gave me almost 5 inches more, best mod for the price and peace of mind of not worrying about ripping the tank valves
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Old 07-12-2015, 10:09 AM   #20
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Thanks...if I keep mine through the winter this will be one of my projects. I'm 50/50whether to do some things(gut the bathroom and redo the roof scale and paint the frame) or get another one. I want a new one, wife says we don't have any money.
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