Towing with a Rav4

[Jsabe07]

Hey everyone, we will be going to Ohio in a month and we are bringing back a riding mower and a few other small items. I want to put a class 1 hitch on my wife's Rav4 instead of driving the truck. The specs say that the RAV can tow up to 3500 lbs with the V6 when "properly equipped." What does that include? What do I need to look for in the car to know?

[SuicideSaints]

There should be some stickers in the drivers side door jam that will tell you the weights and limits.

[HONDAMAN174]

Usually anything over 1000 lbs you will need a brake controller for. Use caution with u haul trailers as they make them so robust that they are twice as heavy as they need to be. And aren't class one hitches up to 1,500 lbs?

[f5moab]

Brake controller or just trailer brakes?

Class 1 - 2000 lbs

[rockfordroo]

Some U-Haul trailers have surge brakes. No controller necessary.

[vinmaker]

Originally Posted by Jsabe07

Hey everyone, we will be going to Ohio in a month and we are bringing back a riding mower and a few other small items. I want to put a class 1 hitch on my wife's Rav4 instead of driving the truck. The specs say that the RAV can tow up to 3500 lbs with the V6 when "properly equipped." What does that include? What do I need to look for in the car to know?

You may want to inquire if there possibly was a factory tow package type option offered. This term may mean special gears and/or tranny cooler.

[Rodgers]

I don't know what year your Rav4 is. But a 2014 tow capacity is 1500 Ibs. You may be over doing it on the Rav4.

[bikendan]

Properly equipped means Factory tow package.
Check with Toyota dealer if yours has it, by its VIN.

[thebrakeman]

If you are sure you have 3500 lbs tow capacity (likely need an optional towing package), that's class 2. You should install a class 2 hitch, in case you want to tow something larger (like a utility trailer) someday.

Read your owner's manual to see what your tow rating actually is. Might need to provide your VIN to a dealer to find out.

[Ken K.]

3500 lb towing capacity isn't the same as gross combined vehicle capacity. Be careful read your owners manual and check your manufacturers data plate. If it's just a lawn tractor then a class one should be fine, if it's 4 atvs and stuff then get a class 2. Most utility trailers don't have brakes.

[BobBaron]

Toyota Towing package typically includes transmission oil cooler and wiring harness.
If you are towing 1500+ pounds, brake controller is a must (obviously the trailer should have electic brakes...).
Last thing, make sure to balance your cargo so you don't get too much weight on the hitch and exceed your RAV4's payload.

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by BobBaron

Toyota Towing package typically includes transmission oil cooler and wiring harness.
If you are towing 1500+ pounds, brake controller is a must (obviously the trailer should have electic brakes...).
Last thing, make sure to balance your cargo so you don't get too much weight on the hitch and exceed your RAV4's payload.

It's just a lawn tractor, not a toy hauler. the 4x8 trailer he will use for that probably has a 1200 lb capacity and most definitely does not have brakes of any sort. Tow package or not I think that V6 Rav 4 could handle a lawn tractor on a class 1.

[thebrakeman]

I agree. But if he has a class 2 vehicle, he might as well install a class 2 hitch. Cost and time to install is probably about the same.

[Jsabe07]

I read the brochure from 2008 and it just says the optional towing package has an upgraded alternator, fan coupling and radiator. But how do I tell if I have these vs normal ones?

[HONDAMAN174]

Usually a phone call to a toyota dealer parts dept. with your vin# and ask if you have the tow package. Or send me a PM and your vin and I can call my boys tomorrow and get u an answer.

[muddyrode]

A small light weight trailer is what 400 pounds and lawn tractor another 500 more stuff your most likely still under 1200 pounds if you own a truck and have towing experience i would say you going to be fine just take it easy