Top 5 things to consider for a newbie

[tugboat95]

I tow a 165Bhutto with an 09 Ford escape V6. Looks like most things have been covered except one. I only have a 15 gallon gas tank. Not sure what a Rav 4 has. 12mpg means a lot of stopping for fuel. 12-15 mpg seems to be the average for any vehicle for any TT

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by tugboat95

I tow a 165Bhutto with an 09 Ford escape V6. Looks like most things have been covered except one. I only have a 15 gallon gas tank. Not sure what a Rav 4 has. 12mpg means a lot of stopping for fuel. 12-15 mpg seems to be the average for any vehicle for any TT

I stop every 200km/120miles for fuel. Good time to cool things off and stretch....on vacation never in a rush

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

I stop every 200km/120miles for fuel. Good time to cool things off and stretch....on vacation never in a rush

We stop at least every 2 hrs when road tripping (occasionally more frequently because of pregnancy) and our stops are especially important when I'm towing. I need to decompress a little and re-focus and refresh, and every 2 hrs is the perfect interval. We started doing this on a cross-country road-trip last year (before we had our trailer) and found it worked so well, it's now are SOP if we're driving more than 4 hrs.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by tugboat95

I tow a 165Bhutto with an 09 Ford escape V6. Looks like most things have been covered except one. I only have a 15 gallon gas tank. Not sure what a Rav 4 has. 12mpg means a lot of stopping for fuel. 12-15 mpg seems to be the average for any vehicle for any TT

I have a Ford Ranger which only has a 18 gal tank. I'm considering adding an extra tank in the back. There's a shop in Tucson that will add a tank for about 1600 bucks. It's called Arizona Springs Company. They specialize in pickups which allow the tank to be placed in the back. Do'nt know if they can modify some cars by installing a larger tank. I sent them an email and they sent me photos of the Vehicles they have modified.
Until I decide if I'm going that way I keep a gas can handy, I've had a few close calls already.

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by Brad

I have a Ford Ranger which only has a 18 gal tank. I'm considering adding an extra tank in the back. There's a shop in Tucson that will add a tank for about 1600 bucks. It's called Arizona Springs Company. They specialize in pickups which allow the tank to be placed in the back. Do'nt know if they can modify some cars by installing a larger tank. I sent them an email and they sent me photos of the Vehicles they have modified.
Until I decide if I'm going that way I keep a gas can handy, I've had a few close calls already.

18 gallons is quite a bit of gas. I would worry that your ranger ,which likely doesn't have much payload, would struggle with a full tank of fuel added to the bed plus the 1600. Like has been said taking a break after a couple of hours towing is a good thing.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

18 gallons is quite a bit of gas. I would worry that your ranger ,which likely doesn't have much payload, would struggle with a full tank of fuel added to the bed plus the 1600. Like has been said taking a break after a couple of hours towing is a good thing.

Most people aren't aware that the 4L six in the last of the Rangers is rated up to 6000 lbs of towing power. My trailer only weighs 3000 empty so I'm well within its range. I have traveled all over the states and crossed the grade going into California from Oregon many times no problem. The only drawback is the smaller tank. I average about 14mpg in the flats, but limits my range in the mts.

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by Brad

Most people aren't aware that the 4L six in the last of the Rangers is rated up to 6000 lbs of towing power. My trailer only weighs 3000 empty so I'm well within its range. I have traveled all over the states and crossed the grade going into California from Oregon many times no problem. The only drawback is the smaller tank. I average about 14mpg in the flats, but limits my range in the mts.

payload...not tow rating...allowable weight of all people,cargo,hitch and TW

[Brad]

You're wrong. Sorry. I don't want to have to send the specs So Look it up please. Checked with dealer and have the specs before i bought it.

[Brad]

Here's the towing specs on the 2009 Ford Ranger 4L Supercab automatic 5 speed.
GCWR (lbs) 9,500. Max loaded trailer (lbs) 5,860

The Ford Escape is rated up to 3400 lbs towing which is pretty good for that little 6C.