Toyota RAV4 Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Rav4 Prime Tow Hitch Options

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 68 Posts

Aaronsurf77

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I installed the Torklift Eco Hitch on my Rav4 Prime with the premium package. Pretty straight forward and easy install. It sits nice and looks good. I didn't do any cutting, just bent the bumper a tad.

I chose this one over the oem because a couple of dealerships I went to wanted $900 to install it due to cutting and taking much of the bumper off.

I got ramps at Harbor Freight for 50 bucks to help with the install, they really aren't needed, but did make it easier. This hitch sits a tad higher than the Curt one, but lower than the Oem.

162573
162574
 
#3 ·
Did you buy this one: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Toyota/RAV4/2021/EH97FR.html?VehicleID=2021117186 ?

Aaronsurf77 said:
I installed the Torklift Eco Hitch on my Rav4 Prime with the premium package. Pretty straight forward and easy install. It sits nice and looks good. I didn't do any cutting, just bent the bumper a tad.

I chose this one over the oem because a couple of dealerships I went to wanted $900 to install it due to cutting and taking much of the bumper off.

I got ramps at Harbor Freight for 50 bucks to help with the install, they really aren't needed, but did make it easier. This hitch sits a tad higher than the Curt one, but lower than the Oem.

View attachment 162573 View attachment 162574
Click to expand...
 
#6 ·
Looks good. I may get one for a bike carrier.
For towing one also needs a wire harness and stuff. Did you get that? Which?
Are there plug and play provisions / outlets or is significant wire connecting and pulling required?
Thanks,
Hein
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
HeinV said:
Looks good. I may get one for a bike carrier.
For towing one also needs a wire harness and stuff. Did you get that? Which?
Are there plug and play provisions / outlets or is significant wire connecting and pulling required?
Thanks,
Hein
Click to expand...
That is exactly why I got it. For the bike carrier. So when I took it to a couple different dealers, the wiring harness seems to be the hardest part to install. They wanted 400 to install the tow hitch, and another 400 to install the wiring harness. It seems as though they have to go through the whole car to the Hood in order to install it. Although, I have also seen videos where you can just get the wires from the back.

For this reason, I did not get the wiring harness. I have a feeling there are going to be easier options soon enough. I would love to hear someone else's input on the wiring harness for the RAV4 Prime. There has to be a way to get the wiring easier.

I was able to see the instructions for the OEM hitch and harness. It looked like a huge pain in the ass for me to do. I also saw a video where some guy does it in what looks like a parking garage. Everything needed to come out in the bumper needs to be cut and taken off.

Hopefully in the future, something much easier will be figured out.

Here is a link to the wiring harness install. This isn't a prime though.
 
#9 ·
Aaronsurf77 said:
That is exactly why I got it. For the bike carrier. So when I took it to a couple different dealers, the wiring harness seems to be the hardest part to install. They wanted 400 to install the tow hitch, and another 400 to install the wiring harness. It seems as though they have to go through the whole car to the Hood in order to install it. Although, I have also seen videos where you can just get the wires from the back.

For this reason, I did not get the wiring harness. I have a feeling there are going to be easier options soon enough. I would love to hear someone else's input on the wiring harness for the RAV4 Prime. There has to be a way to get the wiring easier.

I was able to see the instructions for the OEM hitch and harness. It looked like a huge pain in the ass for me to do. I also saw a video where some guy does it in what looks like a parking garage. Everything needed to come out in the bumper needs to be cut and taken off.

Hopefully in the future, something much easier will be figured out.

Here is a link to the wiring harness install. This isn't a prime though.
Click to expand...

For the wiring harness, I ordered this kit

Curt 56434 - Curt Custom Trailer Wiring Connector

SHOP Curt Custom Wiring Harness - 4 Way Flat Output at PartsEngine with free shipping within Canada.
www.partsengine.ca

It is supposed to be custom fit. Quite frankly, I don't need the hitch before a few months, so I might not install it already... I'll let you know if/when I do.
 
#10 ·
I have not done the trailer wiring install, but it should be easy. The kits just plugs into the taillights with a Y cable. You also need 12v positive for the controller, but since the battery is in the back of the car, that should be easy. (use a fuse though)
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
Dungsta said:
Is it better to get it from uhaul since they only charge about $200 for the hitch installed?
Click to expand...
It is only 30 minutes of labor to install a hitch. Maybe find a garage that can put it up on a lift lower the exhaust a little while supporting with bungee cord and install and torque 4 bolts. Its really easy I am not sure why uhaul would need to charge $200.
 
#15 ·
db821766 said:
It is only 30 minutes of labor to install a hitch. Maybe find a garage that can put it up on a lift lower the exhaust a little while supporting with bungee cord and install and torque 4 bolts. Its really easy I am not sure why uhaul would need to charge $200.
Click to expand...
My Uhaul charges $200 for the hitch install on Rav4 INCLUDING the actual hitch part (~$150) :)
 
#20 ·
Aaronsurf77 said:
I installed the Torklift Eco Hitch on my Rav4 Prime with the premium package. Pretty straight forward and easy install. It sits nice and looks good. I didn't do any cutting, just bent the bumper a tad.

I chose this one over the oem because a couple of dealerships I went to wanted $900 to install it due to cutting and taking much of the bumper off.

I got ramps at Harbor Freight for 50 bucks to help with the install, they really aren't needed, but did make it easier. This hitch sits a tad higher than the Curt one, but lower than the Oem.

View attachment 162573 View attachment 162574
Click to expand...
You just lost some valuable clearance though. 😳
I have the Prime XSE with premium, and have a buddy that works at the dealership who got me the OEM hitch and installed it all for $450.
I have a 2019 Rav4 Limited with Premium that I did the DIY etrailer hitch on and dread not having my buddy do the OEM install on that. Hitch scrapes on many driveways.

KNOW THIS- with the premium package you lose the wiring and functionality of the foot-controlled rear-hatch sensor on OEM install.

I couldn’t care less as I leave my 1-up bike rack on both cars all the time.
 

Attachments

1 - 20 of 68 Posts
About this Discussion
67 Replies
32 Participants
Last post:
peakbagger
Toyota RAV4 Forums
posts
1.1M
members
174K
Since
2004
Rav 4 World is the internet's largest Toyota Rav4 SUV and EV online forum community. Discuss towing, modifications, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
4.3 General 4.3 Mechanical 4.5 RAV4 Hybrid (except Prime) 4.5 RAV4 Prime 4.3 Exterior