From the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid owners manual:
■ GCWR*
6710 lb. (3045 kg)
■ TWR*
1750 lb. (795 kg)
■ Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (450 kg)
GCWR is the total vehicle including passenger, cargo and fuel plus the total trailer weight.
TWR is total trailer weight if the trailer has brakes.
Yet in the UK, a similarly equipped 2.5l Hybrid has an unbraked towing capacity of 750 Kg (1650 lbs.) and a braked towing capacity of 1650 Kg (3630 lbs.).
It all appears to be due to different test procedures and possible marketing strategies by Toyota US. There's much more money in selling their trucks than in their small SUVs so guess which one gets the higher tow rating...
Since in the UK they say it's acceptable to tow up to 3630 pounds with a trailer having brakes on it, that's just as 'safe' here in the US in my opinion. And since there's nothing in the insurance policy I have in Massachusetts to say they won't cover the vehicle/trailer if I tow over the manufacturer's published guidelines - I'm going to take the risk and ignore them.
Why can they tow a 3630 pound 'caravan' in the UK legally and safely but I'm limited to 1750 pounds here in the US? It's ridiculous in my opinion and not worth worrying about if the proper tow-hitch is mounted to the vehicle.
As to the hitch - the only factory one offered is a Class-I hitch. Class I hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 2000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 200 lbs.
A Class I hitch usually has a 1-1/4" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.
Class I hitches usually attach to the bumper, truck pan or vehicle frame.
Toyota's Class I hitch mounts far more securely than the aftermarket ones in my opinion and is also tucked up higher under the rear bumper cover so it's less visible and doesn't significantly reduce the vehicle's ground clearance.
I think I'm going to put down a deposit on that 1670 pound (dry)
[email protected] Max-S and keep it under the 2000 lbs limit of the Toyota Class-I hitch. Screw the published tow rating... It's all marketing and not based on the actual safe towing limit.