2021 RAV4 Prime

Camping with our RAV4 Prime

Our experience camping in our tent trailer for the first time and towing with our 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime.

v1.1 (Updated 10/6/21) – Added additional photos of plug and trailer as well as, notes on EasyStart for AC and links to tent trailer specifications

Quick Facts:
Model: RAV4 Prime XSE w/ Premium Package
RAV4P Tow Rating: 2500 pounds with 250 pound tongue weight
Trailer: Rockwood 2560G Tent Trailer
Trailer Weight: ~2400 pounds
Trailer Brake Controller: Tekonsha 902502 Prodigy RF Proportional Trailer Brake Controller
Towing MPG: ~27 MPG
Regular (non towing) MPG: ~42 MPG

Tent trailer camping in our 2021 RAV4 Prime
When fully open, the tent trailer is quite large.
Heading out to the campsite

“That RAV4 can tow that big tent trailer?”

Yes, quite well in fact.

How?

In a few words… torque and regenerative braking.

These two words really change the towing experience. The torque provided by the electric motors (driving both the front and rear wheels) really make whatever you are towing seem lighter than it actually is. Without this torque, the 2.5L four cylinder normally aspirated engine would struggle off the line and feel like a dog.

However, since the electric motors have instant torque at 0 rpm, taking off from a stop light feels like you have a big block 8.1L engine, but without the noise. It really feels like you aren’t towing anything.

In addition, the regenerative braking made going down hills less worrisome and more efficient. Usually when you tow, being able to slow down (especially going down an decline) is always a worry. When you have a fairly heavy load, trailer brakes are a must, and my tent trailer does, in fact, have electric trailer brakes. But I really didn’t use them a lot on downhill slopes because the brake regen kept the car and trailer from gaining too much speed when going down the decline. When it couldn’t keep up, I lightly applied the brakes to engage more regen braking or used the paddle shifters. The actual friction brakes were NOT being used, and thus did not heat up. (Try that on a regular non electric car.)

“Yeah, sure, but you haven’t probably towed anything before, huh?”

I have! In fact, my last trailer was a 26 foot 5800 pound bumper pull toy hauler that really needed a big 3/4 ton diesel truck to pull it.

My first trailer… a 26 foot dual axle 5800 pound toyhauler that needed a 3/4 ton diesel truck to tow… at 12 MPG!

While the space and protection of the toyhauler was nice, I did not enjoy the bulk of it nor the 12MPG I was getting when towing with my Duramax diesel truck. Because it was a bumper pull 26′ trailer with a crew cab short bed truck, you really had to plan your turns and stops. You needed a LOT of space to maneuver. It was a pain. I decided that my next camping rig would NOT be as big.

“So, how was your first time out?”

Great! Specifically, I really liked:

  • Efficiency– I averaged 27MPG on regular unleaded (87 Octane) fuel with NO stored electric charged used
  • 1500W 120V built-in inverter – On a full charge (about 14.5Kw), it powered our trailer all night and then some.
  • Power– As mentioned before, the torque of the electric motors made for smooth and a powerful tow.
Cooking bacon outside on an efficient induction cooktop thanks to the RAV4 Prime’s 110V 1500W inverter!
Using an adapter to convert a standard 30A RV plug that powers the whole trailer to the standard 15A 110V 1500W plug that the RAV4 prime provides.
Charge mode button for the win! Charge the traction battery using fuel. (Most efficient when driving, rather than sitting still.)

Perhaps the picture above really captures what makes tent trailer camping with a RAV4 Prime tow vehicle a great combination… the built-in 110V 1500W inverter (only on the premium package in the US) providing power to our tent trailer which powered not only interior lighting, but, our heated beds, induction cooktop, a fridge AND freezer… all with a single charge each night. No more having to worry about running out of propane or house 12V battery. And using the heated beds (that require 110V) on cold nights (it got down to 27 degrees at night when we camped) wouldn’t normally be possible when boondocking without 110V power source.

Because there were no vehicle charge stations anywhere near us, we simply used the RAV4 Prime’s charge mode function to recharge our traction battery while driving around exploring sites during the day on regular unleaded fuel. When we got back to our campsite, we had a full battery to power another night of cooking, heating and lighting.

One other thing to note about the RAV4 Prime’s built-in 110V inverter is that it is stout enough to power our rooftop AC unit with an EasyStart installed. The EasyStart device reduces the startup current needed when you turn on the AC so that you can use an smaller generator/inverter to power the AC unit. These are very common on larger RVs… being powered by a smaller 2000W Honda inverter generator. This way you avoid the need for a larger 3000W+ generator just to startup the AC unit.

So, was there anything that you didn’t like?

Not really. If I had a a wish list, it would be:

  • Larger battery for more run time
  • Slightly higher (say 3500 pound) towing capacity for increased storage ability.

So, we loved our first experience and can’t wait to get our and camp again. If you have any questions, please let me know below.

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4 replies »

  1. Nice write up. I have the RAV4 Prime with PP so I have the 110V 1500W inverter as well. You said you were powering heated beds, induction cooktop, a fridge AND freezer. Did you have a power strip to plug all those in at once? How many EV miles did you have in the morning after a full charge and using it overnight?

    • Thank you for your kind comments. The RV has an external 30A “main plug” that you usually use to plug into an RV electrical socket when you are camping at an RV park. I used an adapter to allow me to plug it into the RAV4P. The RV then distributes the 110V throughout the camper to various outlets (about 6) all around the trailer including inside and outside. I simply plugged everything into various outlets around the trailer.

      In regards to EV range, here is what I remember (1st night- 38 miles start / 9 miles end {I’m guessing a 90% SOC} / 2nd night- 34 miles start / 7 miles end {guessing 80% SOC)

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