Need a Hitch for 2009 V6 Limited

[Dr. Dyno]

Originally Posted by diodepack

electric brakes on anything over 600lbs??

so realistically how important are electric brakes with an enclosed 5x8?

Real important if you're towing with a Toyota motorcycle.

[Tedbird]

I just had a Draw Tight hitch, class II (3500lb pull/300lb tongue) installed at a truck assoessory place in Adrian MI.. $219 plus $85 for the wiring modual. $304 out the door which included installation. 1 1/4 " receiver on it. A class III with a 2" recv. was about $70 more and didn't include a ball-mount. Class III still 3,500lb pull but 350lb tongue.

I leave the ball and ballmount on all the time to act as a kind of bumper. Greased the arm and take it off occasionally so it doesn't perminently rust on and it doesn't take long.

Good luck, Thanks Everyone for such a super forum.

[Rav4asaur]

Trevor,

I went to Ebay, got a Curt hitch that I installed and a wiring harness for $178 delivered for my 2010 Base I4 4x4. I did pay a local shop to install the harness as drilling is involved for this install ($80). I have also purchased a 4'x6' trailer from Lowe's. I use the trailer more than I ever thought I would, and my Rav's interior is the better fot it.

Carl

[RTexasF]

Class III still 3,500lb pull but 350lb tongue.

A Class III will pull up to 5,000 lbs and 500 lb tongue weight. That's assuming the tow vehicle is up to it of course.

[Percyiris]

I recently drove from southern Ontario to northern Maine then down to Sturgis, Mississippi for an open house at a well known BMW restoration shop. I towed a 5' by 8' covered u-haul with my 1968 R60/2 BMW inside. I'm not sure the OEM hitch is worth the extra cost for everyone, but it is for me. The last thing I want on my mind as I'm driving is thinking about four bolts vs 21 (whatever the number is). To begin restoring that money pit all over again would be too much to bear.

[zaurazi]

(click on the link to see pics)

Alternative Tow Hitches

Hello all,

Just installed Hidden Hitch Class II with a 5"-rise ball mount and 2"-ball. This is purely with the goal to protect the rear bumper from moron drivers parking their cars here in NYC. I was weighing installing a bar bumper guard vs hitch and ball and desided to go with the latter as a hitch is much useful and could be used for a bike rack (living in a apartment in NYC I'm not planning to tow anything in the nearest future.)

While the drawbar looks too long, it's really just 3-4 inches from the spare wheel cover, anything shorter may not keep the moron drivers away. The top of the ball is about 1.5-2" from the door.

Oredered from Etrailer, about $150 for everything.

C45015 Curt Class II Drawbar - 5" Rise - 11-5/8" Long - 3,500 lbs
90207 Hidden Hitch Trailer Hitch Receiver with Drawbar - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"
19258 Hitch Ball with 2" Diameter and Short Shank, 3,500 lbs GTW - Chrome



Also installed Hunter Bull Bar - like it or hate it.

[jclem]

I just purchased a 2009 RAV4 V6 Limited and want to install a class III hitch on it. I am considering installing a Toyota OEM hitch, however I have called two local dealerships and they state the only thing that they have is a class I. Any thoughts on why this is the only option? Neither dealership seems to have an explanation. Maybe I need to order in online or consider an aftermarket hitch?