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Modified to properly tow?

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Cjavguy1

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm curious to know if anyone has successfully modified their Rav4 Hybrid, (regardless of age or generation) to be able to tow beyond their rated limit. At this time, the only current version that I'm aware of that can pull 3500 lbs is the Trail Gas version.

Do we know if these hybrids can actually tow, as we perceive in our minds the way a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton etc trucks can?

If they can be modified to get to 3500 lbs or even more, what exactly does it take? Additional radiators, torque converters, turbos? I honestly don't know and would be curious to know.
 
#3 ·
As you say, some gas Rav4 are rated to tow 3500 lb. Highest 'electric' rated is the Rav4 Prime at 2500 lb. Those numbers are from the 2022 e-brochure, which isn't always correct. To get up to 3500 lb. towing in a hybrid, need to change vehicle: Sienna/Highlander hybrids are rated at 3500 lb., and they have 245/243 hp with beefier MG2 motor generators. I am also pondering my towing options and what to do. The 2022 Rav4 Hybrid doesn't have the larger MG2 of the hybrids that are rated at 3500, and legally it will only have its 1750 or 2500 tow capacity depending on model and regardless of any suspension/cooling mods you do. I have concluded to buy something else for towing.
 
#5 ·
The limits are there for safety reasons and manufacturer liability, but not necessarily the mechanical limit of the vehicle.

More than just the power, there are other considerations like vehicle structure, wheels, tires and brakes.

Sure you can keep on upgrading and increasing your vehicle's towing capacity, but it won't be economical. If you know you'll need more towing capability, might as well consider a vehicle designed for it.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
aceaceace said:
The limits are there for safety reasons and manufacturer liability, but not necessarily the mechanical limit of the vehicle.

More than just the power, there are other considerations like vehicle structure, wheels, tires and brakes.

Sure you can keep on upgrading and increasing your vehicle's towing capacity, but it won't be economical. If you know you'll need more towing capability, might as well consider a vehicle designed for it.
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The reality is, I want the Rav4 XSE Hybrid that I ordered in 09/21, but I was curious if anyone ever actually modified one to pull more…
 
#7 ·
I’m brand new to the forum. My 22 XSE (Calvary Blue) is on a train somewhere in the Northwest at the moment; scheduled to arrive between 4/9-4/16.

I’ve been looking into towing as well. Although I’m fine with the 1750 tow rating for almost everything, I feel like there might be a time I’d like to tow more, e.g., a mini-camper, which, although many are below 1,750 dry weight, would probably be closer to the 2000 mark with equipment and whatnot. What are your thoughts about exceeding the tow capacity by just a bit for a long distance trip? Stated differently, would you tow this amount on a long distant trip in your RAV4 hybrid? Are there any minor mods you’d recommend just for raising the tow capacity just a bit?
 
#8 ·
What you are asking is: "What is the weakest link with respect to towing and how do I strengthen it?"
Toyota will never give you an answer and anyone else can only offer a guess.
 
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#9 ·
There's also a vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) which is specifically defined per vehicle. What Is GVWR or Your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating? - Weigh Safe

Check your local laws, it may/likely be also illegal to exceed the vehicle's rating despite 'upgrades.'

Well if it's something I'll do rarely, I'd rather rent a proper truck than ruin my rav4, be a road hazard, etc.
 
#10 ·
please don’t tow with a rav4. a 1750# weight rating is basically saying this vehicle should never be attached to a trailer. these are commuter rigs, not trucks. suspensions bottom out, brakes get hot, cvts are probably the worse for towing, insurance companies won’t cover you etc etc...


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#11 ·
andrewfitz25 said:
please don’t tow with a rav4. a 1750# weight rating is basically saying this vehicle should never be attached to a trailer. these are commuter rigs, not trucks. suspensions bottom out, brakes get hot, cvts are probably the worse for towing, insurance companies won’t cover you etc etc...
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Complete nonsense. It's perfectly fine within the rating. Which is more than enough to get good use out of a small utility trailer.

It is of course not meant to pull a heavy camper up and down the mountains at 80 mph.
 
#12 ·
andrewfitz25 said:
please don’t tow with a rav4. a 1750# weight rating is basically saying this vehicle should never be attached to a trailer. these are commuter rigs, not trucks. suspensions bottom out, brakes get hot, cvts are probably the worse for towing, insurance companies won’t cover you etc etc...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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See post #2. Don't know where you are getting your info but it isn't accurate. Have towed all sorts of stuff with small cars, suvs, trucks, etc. Never knowingly exceeded towing capacity but was close a number of times. Never had an issue in 50 yrs. As for insurance coverage, I was always under the impression insurance is for when you f**k up such as fall asleep and run off the road, absent minded drive through a stop light and tee bone someone, texting and rear end someone, crashing with a run away trailer, etc. Lots of clauses in my insurance policy but nothing about overloaded trailer towing. Wouldn't hesitate to tow with our rav4H. Seems like a sturdy and capable vehicle for all ones needs.
 
#13 ·
just food for thought and for some friendly conversation because most people never think of this, this is coming from DOT folks i’ve worked with on the road. if you happen to get in an accident where the other party is injured, there is almost no chance your going to win a lawsuit with a vehicle loaded beyond the weight listed by the manufacturer and often times insurance will deny a claim. Just something to think about.


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#14 ·
andrewfitz25 said:
. .. there is almost no chance your going to win a lawsuit with a vehicle loaded beyond the weight listed by the manufacturer and often times insurance will deny a claim.
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Yup, just like you won't ever get caught when using heating oil in a diesel car, until you have an accident that has a fuel spill of the wrong color. Overweight towing will be fine, until it isn't.
 
#15 ·
Interesting. I know road inspectors can fine owner and take vehicles off the road if deemed unsafe. Lawsuits are certainly a possibility, especially in the USA but denying an insurance claim due to an accident being directly caused by something such as an overloaded trailer. I guess there are probably lots of reasons to deny an insurance claim but unless it directly affected you then probably never know about it.
 
#16 ·
RobertB said:
Interesting. I know road inspectors can fine owner and take vehicles off the road if deemed unsafe. Lawsuits are certainly a possibility, especially in the USA but denying an insurance claim due to an accident being directly caused by something such as an overloaded trailer. I guess there are probably lots of reasons to deny an insurance claim but unless it directly affected you then probably never know about it.
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If you look, you will probably find a clause that says if you are breaking the law, you are not covered. Overloaded would fit and insurance companies have a positive financial incentive to make it fit.
 
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#17 ·
Scubanero said:
If you look, you will probably find a clause that says if you are breaking the law, you are not covered. Overloaded would fit and insurance companies have a positive financial incentive to make it fit.
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If that were the case then a high % of claims would be denied as a lot of accidents are a result of illegal vehicle operation such as exceeding speed limits, running red lights, illegal turns, texting while driving, vehicle deficiencies and such. If you followed the rules of the road, were attentive and drove a safe vehicle then you would rarely have an accident. Seem to never hear about denied coverage.
 
#19 ·
Cjavguy1 said:
The reality is, I want the Rav4 XSE Hybrid that I ordered in 09/21, but I was curious if anyone ever actually modified one to pull more…
Click to expand...
You really don't need to modify it to tow more. I have towed about 2,500lbs at interstate speeds (70+ mph) with no issues. I have also towed 3,000 lbs in town (no more than 45 mph) with no issues. While driving on the interstate hauling the 2,500lbs, I did have Hybrid Assistant open on my phone and kept track of the MGU temps (pretty much transmission temps) and they never when above the normal range.

The main reason the Trail/Adventure can tow 3,500 vs the 1,500 on the lower end gas models is because the Trail/Adventure have extra coolers for the engine oil and transmission fluid, otherwise are pretty much identical power wise. The Hybrids have a transmission cooler to keep the electric motors cool, so it has a way to get rid of the heat like the Trail/Adventure do. The Hybrids are MORE powerful than the gas only version, so it isn't a matter of power.

The suspension might be the other main difference between them, but if you load a trailer right and have the proper tongue weigh, you don't have to worry about suspension that much.

With what I have towed in my '20 XLE Hybrid, I would feel completely comfortable up to about 2,500lbs on the interstate (75 mph), and would probably go up to 3,500lbs if I'm driving in town (no more than 45mph). Just be smart about your driving, like giving plenty of room to the vehicle in front of you, and making sure you have proper tongue weight (about 10% of the towing weight is a good guideline).

Some people will probably say that I need to have a trailer brake otherwise I will be breaking the law, but I live in Iowa that has a 3,000lb unbraked limit.
 
#20 ·
Your location is the big determining factor as to how much your Hybrid Rav will pull, namely between continents. This was one of the big points for me when I was researching to decide if I wanted one and it was brought up that the EU towing capacity is 1500kg (3306.934lb) while in the US it's 1750lb. It's due to what we consider to be "safe under normal use" when we normally want to bomb along an interstate at 80mph under load vs EU where laws cap trailers at around 50-55mph, or rip up/down US mountain passes at that speed vs relatively flat EU. It's more intense to stop under the same load from higher speeds, or going downhill, so we're more limited in towing capacity because of the way we tend to drive in the US. It's the same vehicle, but very different conditions.

Insurance will gladly turn you away if you're involved in an incident where you're towing over the legal limit for your area, so I'm on the side of not testing them and risking my wallet. Just because you can doesn't mean you should, etc.

www.rav4world.com

2020 RAV4 Hybrid VS 2020 RAV4 Adventure Towing Capacity

I have checked out the specs on both and they have the same suspension, same engine oil and transmission coolers yet the Adventure has a higher towing capacity. Does anyone know why that is?
www.rav4world.com www.rav4world.com
 
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