Best 3Gen Model Year

[focus123]

2009 I4 trouble free.

[mikeinnj]

I noticed early last year when shopping for my CPO Rav4 that most of the V6 Limited and Sport models had the Tow Prep Package from the factory. Mind you, this is NOT the tow hitch or a wiring harness. The prep package is upgraded alternator, radiator, and fan shroud and the only 'official' way to get the 3500lb tow rating from the V6. You will still need to buy the hitch/receiver kit and wiring harness (about $500 online for the parts).

[Max]

Originally Posted by mikeinnj

I noticed early last year when shopping for my CPO Rav4 that most of the V6 Limited and Sport models had the Tow Prep Package from the factory. Mind you, this is NOT the tow hitch or a wiring harness. The prep package is upgraded alternator, radiator, and fan shroud and the only 'official' way to get the 3500lb tow rating from the V6. You will still need to buy the hitch/receiver kit and wiring harness (about $500 online for the parts).

Unfortunately in the St. Louis the tow prep package is apparently hard to come by on used RAV4s. I did an AutoTrader search with keyword "Tow" for 2009-2011 RAV4 and I had to expand search to 200 miles of Saint Louis, MO to find 1 listing. I then did a search 2009-2012 RAV4 "tow" and found 2 listings in a 50 mile search. A 50 mile search of 2009-2011 4WD RAV4 comes up with 38 listings, 125 vehicles. So it looks like in the St. Louis area, 4WDs are easy to get, but the tow prep package is hard to come by (unless I am searching incorrectly.) Example listing including "tow" says "TOW PREP PKG -inc: 3500lb towing capacity upgraded alternator larger radiator fan coupling,"

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by Max

Unfortunately in the St. Louis the tow prep package is apparently hard to come by on used RAV4s. I did an AutoTrader search with keyword "Tow" for 2009-2011 RAV4 and I had to expand search to 200 miles of Saint Louis, MO to find 1 listing. I then did a search 2009-2012 RAV4 "tow" and found 2 listings in a 50 mile search. A 50 mile search of 2009-2011 4WD RAV4 comes up with 38 listings, 125 vehicles. So it looks like in the St. Louis area, 4WDs are easy to get, but the tow prep package is hard to come by (unless I am searching incorrectly.) Example listing including "tow" says "TOW PREP PKG -inc: 3500lb towing capacity upgraded alternator larger radiator fan coupling,"

There may not be any St Louis V-6s without the tow prep package. It is a regional thing. I don't know where St. Louis sits in that regard. It would not commonly be listed in a for-sale listing as a feature.

[pico]

Originally Posted by Max

[...] A 50 mile search of 2009-2011 4WD RAV4 comes up with 38 listings, 125 vehicles. So it looks like in the St. Louis area, 4WDs are easy to get, but the tow prep package is hard to come by [...]

It is interesting how distances are relative. Where I live there is almost nothing within 50 miles, let alone over thirty listings of one particular vehicle.

[mikeinnj]

Most dealers will never list the tow prep package in the description. The only way to know without looking under the hood is either the window sticker OR do what I did and browse local CPO inventory from Toyota's main website. Enter your search criteria and it will bring up the exact specs of the car based on VIN and window sticker info. My Rav4 listing on cars.com said nothing of tow prep but sure enough, it had it along with the backup cam package when I found the car on Toyota's site.

[vanib]

Also avoid the SAP model (no spare tire, with RunFlat tires) for her since she wants to do off-roading/trailing. I believe they are for models 2010+.

[Scout706]

Originally Posted by mikeinnj

I noticed early last year when shopping for my CPO Rav4 that most of the V6 Limited and Sport models had the Tow Prep Package from the factory. Mind you, this is NOT the tow hitch or a wiring harness. The prep package is upgraded alternator, radiator, and fan shroud and the only 'official' way to get the 3500lb tow rating from the V6. You will still need to buy the hitch/receiver kit and wiring harness (about $500 online for the parts).

I think the wiring is included, behind a panel in the rear.

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by Scout706

I think the wiring is included, behind a panel in the rear.

That is incorrect. With the tow prep package, all you get is a hard-to-find wire connector taped up under the dash on the driver's side. You still have to run wiring to the back panel.

[wevudo]

Are you buying the Rav?