Toyota RAV4 PHEV towing impressions

I think the location of heavy equipment in the front of the caravan axle defies the target 70Kg nose weight.

As a simple experiment, how about removing everything from the front gas locker (other than one bottle of gas). You then know whether it is possible to achieve.

In order to get our nose weight down below 90Kg, I remove the following from the gas locker and return it when on site or caravan stored: Hook up cable, heavy tool bag containing all small bits and bobs, 2 levelling ramps, and the Alko side lift jack. This leaves us one 3.9Kg gas bottle and about 7Kg of light water/waste pipes. 

Regarding tyre pressures, how about trying lower rather than higher pressures?

We have found that possibly an unsettled ride? Is down to road surfaces, especially on busy roads with many HGVs and with their weights with many at 44tonnes there are more. "tram lines" that make for not a nice tow, as the c/van is forever what feels like "swaying" as it tracks the "tram lines" as the wheels are not normally as wide apart as HGVs 

If you read my thread you will see I already removed all unnecessary stuff from the front locker. The only items other than the gas bottle are small bottle of toilet chemicals, empty water canister, plastic drain pipes for when on serviced pitches, winding handle and 3 small levelling blocks. Total weight is less than 5kg. In practical terms there is no where to carry them aft of the axle. As for road surfaces, those haven’t changed that drastically in the 8 months since I was last towing however I may try reverting to the minimum pressures on the car, nothing to lose! 

Roads and the caravan that is being towed do certainly make for a different experience we in the years of towing  quite a few different caravans can certainly comment on the experience which I posted for you to consider 

I have not commented on why you did not first check the tow bar limit of the tow vehicle 

We carry both gas bottles only when the single is getting low, I solve the resulting heavy nose by stacking the front seat cushions (as many as required) behind the transverse bed against the bathroom wall, 10kg of cushions moved from the front to beyond the bed gives a reduction of 15kg nose weight and with less than 1% of the total mass moved rearward this should not cause any pendulum type problems, also it takes a matter of moments to put them back when on site.

I am also concerned that you may be finding out why the RAV4, despite having a good kerb weight, is only given 1500kg towing limit. You are obviously having to load under your caravan MPTLM are you loading the caravan up to the 1500 limit or do you have some headroom?

The actual towed weight is gross trailer (caravan) weight (MTPLM) less nose weight. The nose weight is part of the car payload. In my case 1550 less 70kg = 1480kg. And if no one believes me regarding legality then do the research. As for the car nose weight I was fully aware of that before buying. What I didn’t anticipate was the extreme difficulty getting the caravan down to 70kg. I have towed 4 different vans with 6 different cars in the past 10 years and this is the first time I have such issues with ride and nose weight. I will start with reducing rear tyre pressures and may look at different tyres with softer tyre walls. In respect of nose weight I am struggling but will speak to my caravan engineer about resiting the mover and maybe even investigate weight savings from a smaller lighter leisure battery.  

I'm just thankful that I can put stuff more or less where I want to without worrying about weights on tow balls or overall GTW

The Swift 580 has a short front lounge area (5'1" seats so a foot shorter than the 480) with a kitchen behind it. It's the same as our 480, but the kitchen (fridge microwave and cooker) is all further forward. The Alde is right at the front and battery and motor mover box just behind it. We struggle to get our 480 nose weight down below 90Kg so the 580 is going to be a real challenge.

If you can live with the cost, a lithium battery is am immediate weight saving.

they definitely make your wallet lighter 😉