Towing a RAV4 boo boo

An old, badly worn, shifter, coupled with engine mounts in old/worn condition, might have bounced into gear. But much more likely the RVer shut it off in gear after nudging up to the tow bar. Good reason to tow FWD on a dolly. We tow four down and try to double check the toad setup before moving. We left a little Tercel in first once and felt it as soon as we moved our old gas coach. Towing with a DP, maybe a big gas Class A, wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Friend of mine did same with a Ranger with 5 sp.

I'd guess that the valves floated and started crashing into the pistons about the second revolution of the engine above about 7,000 rpm. They are just lucky the destruction of the engine didn't result in a thrown rod locking up the drivetrain. Finding yourself dragging a sled at 70 MPH might have been more excitement than I would have been able to handle.

I`m assuming it was a manual trans, as an auto would just spin at the torque converter, albeit tearing up the inside of the trans. without the engine running there would be no fluid to couple the trans to the engine. the trans being turned from the wheels will not build fluid pressure.

Ouch!

mikebreeze wrote:
Was the engine running? I'm surprised that the tranny wasn't toast as well. Can RAV4's be towed 4 down?

That vintage RAV4 models were available with 5spd manual transmissions. Newer models are automatic only and not 4 down towable without expensive driveline modifications.

Wow! I wonder just how long the poor little engine survived before biting the big one at 9700 RPM.

Was the engine running? I'm surprised that the tranny wasn't toast as well. Can RAV4's be towed 4 down?