Few vehicles come with anything a hardcore internet 'wheeler could describe as "rated" recovery points. My 4WD, locked-diff F250 didn't. My Samurai didn't. Hell, even my previous 4Runner didn't. My wife's TRD Pro 4Runner has far and away the stoutest looking recovery hoop welded through the frame on the front end, and even then people on those forums (most of whom probably never get close to needing it) complain about them not being "rated."

No, the Rav4 doesn't have "recovery" points. But, I see no harm in a light 2,000lb tug out of a ditch using factory tow points. Not everyone needs to be ready for 20,000lb snatch recoveries across the Bayou.

 

Agree, but I'm a bit confused as I'm not really looking for 'rated' recovery points. Only looking for some attachment points like those shown on the Crosstrek in the video, which are also unrated.

The video has numerous illustrations of the eyelets coming out of their screw-holes and becoming projectiles, which is completely unnecessary, given that the vehicle has attachment points on the frame for that. These attachment points are unrated, buy they work great for attaching loops and a bridle for vehicle recovery, as shown.

You say, "No, the Rav4 doesn't have "recovery" points. But, I see no harm in a light 2,000lb tug out of a ditch using factory tow points." . Does this mean the Rav4 has unrated tow points similar to those shown on the Crosstrek in the video? So far I've read that Canada-produced RAV4s have nothing to attach to: not even the tie-down eyelets that are used for ship transport in the Japanese models.

 

Sorry, to be clear, yes I was referring to the Japanese models--I always forget I was one of the lucky ones in that regard!

Of note, the actual mounting points behind the bumper (for those lucky enough to have them) are ~3/4" threads in steel. That itself certainly isn't the weak point. The aluminum loop on most of the "racing" tow hooks you see online, or the ~ 5/16-3/8" pivot bolt/pin that mounts the loop, are the real weaknesses.

 

I'm starting to think that Canadian production deliberately eliminated the tow loops because they weren't going to be transported on ships.

In which case, I would prefer that they put some solid recovery points on future RAV frames, to which one could fasten recovery loops/shackles if stuck in mud or snow, similar to the flanges on the Crosstrek frame in the video.

Or better yet, so I don't have to go fishing under the car, have the option to install the recovery points out front, but still anchored to the frame, like the Ford Bronco Sport. Design them for recovery, not transport. Charge for the parts to recoup cost.

I will put a hitch on mine if I get one, but still want a way to get unstuck from the front, if I get stuck on a soft road or snowbank. Not going rock-climbing, but some forest roads can get a little hairy, especially in the spring and winter.

'Rock and Dirt' and 'Mud and Snow' help, but aren't magical wards against getting mired. It will happen sooner or later.

 

I'm starting to think that Canadian production deliberately eliminated the tow loops because they weren't going to be transported on ships.

I doubt they actually use those for transport. I'm pretty sure they need more than one tie down point so it's probably somewhere else we don't know about.

I'm also a little annoyed that there is no obvious safe place to hook anything under the RAV4.

 

would you guys be opposed to cutting a hole in your bumper to install a recovery hook that is bolted to the chassis of the vehicle?

 

Maybe…..depends. Solution. Don’t get stuck. I have the O.E. hitch and recovery piece (AUTOBOTS Tow Hitch Receiver 2", 45,000 Lbs Break Strength Heavy Duty Receiver with 5/8" Screw Pin, 3/4 Shackle, Towing Accessories for Vehicle Recovery) so I can get pulled out that way, but nothing in the front . Really disappointed in Toyland.

 

Look at this thread for ideas on installing something on the front end.

Tow Hook for Canadian Built RAV4's

After reading the numerous threads about the lack of tow hooks on the Canadian built RAV4 and the solutions some have come up with, I was intrigued as to whether there could be a solution that had not been discussed yet. After a lot of research and disassembly of the front of the car I found a...

www.rav4world.com

 

How about this groundbreaking idea? Just. Buy. The. Oem. Front. Crash. Bar. Off. A. Japanese. Made. RAV4… y’all think too hard on these things I swear. They’re legally required in Japan so the Japanese come with two. You will need to cut access holes on your non-Japanese bumper. And if you must know… it’s basically a crash bar with a welded threaded nut on each side. So just learn to weld and Save yourselves some money 🤣

 

I would prefer if Toyota had something like the Crosstrek in the video above: