A similar question has been asked before, which mostly just got brushed off. I’m aware that my hybrid is SUPPOSED to be towed with all 4 wheels off the ground, but I’ve been looking for a bit more explanation of exactly what happens if it gets towed in the more traditional method (2 wheels on the ground).

Of course people point out that the manual says not to do it: “if the vehicle is towed with the tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain or related parts may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off the truck, or electricity generated by the operation of the motor may cause a fire to occur depending on the nature of the damage or malfunction”

Can't answer your specific question but do wonder how "the vehicle may fly off the truck" if its wheels are on the ground instead.

 

It's interesting to think about, but hope it never happens... I'd like to believe that when the car is OFF there is no active connection to allow the Hybrid system to regenerate, thinking of the READY ON light. Would be pretty dumb on Toyota's part if that were possible, tow charging is a thing (Rivian's do it) but not for our hybrid's.

I think mechanically (drivetrain) like you said, those items would get eff'd. Probably a combination of physical manual strain, and fluids not being at operating temp causing things like electric dif and CVT to work cold. I can't see this car being so fragile that a 30km tow would destroy it, but it's just my guess, they do have some pretty sensitive components.

 

Friends Range Rover got a trashed tranny from a dumb ******* predatory tow truck operator. He won a pretty good court settlement against the company.

 

Isn't this because the hybrids are AWD? AWD vehicles must be towed on a flatbed.

 

It’s not a traditional AWD, meaning there’s no driveshaft connecting the front and back. If I ever needed a tow, I’d wait even half a day till a flatbed showed up. Screw predatory tows. If they linger and make it awkward I’ll just start talking in my native tongue till they leave LOL.

 

We know that the front wheels are permanently engaged with the planetary gear set known as the eCVT, so if the front wheels were on the ground during towing, MG2 and other components would be spinning.

I haven't seen a diagram of the rear transaxle, but there has been no mention of a clutch, so I assume that the rear electric motor would spin if the rear wheels are on the ground during towing. Question is, how is that different than normal driving (cruising without added rear power) when the front wheels are providing traction and the rear wheels are being passively pulled along? Despite the warning, I'm not sure what harm would be done.

I'm not about to try it, however.

 

Spinning permanent magnet motor will cause it to generate electricity. However, how much damage that might or might not cause it the question. The electricity will be fed back into at least some of the electronics, unless there is a disconnect right at the motor, which I don't think there is. Spinning the motor could conceivably generate hundreds of volts. But the system is designed to run at hundreds of volts, so it' s not clear what sort of issues that might cause. One would need to see a full schematic to even speculate.

and yes, moving it a few feet at very low speeds is likely not an issue.

 

So does that mean a flatbed? If it is a flatbed, how do they get it onto the bed?
Do they jack it up in place and put all four wheels on dollies?

 

Ultimately all you need to say is “all wheel drive” and the tow truck would use dollies - they cannot afford to take the chance of driveline damage from towing with the wheels on the ground. That said, it will occasionally be necessary to tow even a short distance with one axle on the ground (getting out of a live traffic lane following a breakdown or crash, for example) but then the operator will re-rig in a safer place.

Back to what someone else said above, yes the motor would be spinning if the rears are turning, but no damage would occur to the eCVT if the fronts are in the air. Would charge occur in the system? Only a Toyota engineer could answer that (or a mechanic who has had the manufacturer training) but the system may need to be on (vehicle set to “run”) for that to happen.

Anyone want to volunteer with a voltmeter? [emoji6]

One way to check - does T say anything about flat towing a hybrid behind a motorhome? Likely the same as for the fas models: “ not designed for flat towing.”


2012 RAV4 Base FWD.
Upgraded to large from brakes and 3rd row rear springs.

 

Yes, they shift into neutral and pull it up onto the flatbed.

 

Might as well make the thread informative, from le manual:

 

Thanks guys. It sounds like it’s better to lift the front and leave the rear on the ground if that situation has to happen (although I’m not sure how to communicate that to predatory tow trucks). Seems kind of obvious now that I think about it. Interesting that the manual says the vehicle should actually be ON when towing from the rear due to the steering lock(?)

 

Unfortunately had the fun experience of having a tow due to a misread parking sign. $800 later I found out that apparently there is a database that tells them how to tow each vehicle. In my case they have a set of wheels on a sled basically they put under the rear and just lift the front like normal. In most cases a tow driver will know of said database. Anyways no damage done except to my wallet.

 

Stinks, but good to know!

 

A similar question has been asked before, which mostly just got brushed off. I’m aware that my hybrid is SUPPOSED to be towed with all 4 wheels off the ground, but I’ve been looking for a bit more explanation of exactly what happens if it gets towed in the more traditional method (2 wheels on the ground).

Of course people point out that the manual says not to do it: “if the vehicle is towed with the tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain or related parts may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off the truck, or electricity generated by the operation of the motor may cause a fire to occur depending on the nature of the damage or malfunction”, but clearly it has happened and will happen again because often you’re not there when some dick tows your car.

If it HAS to happen, is it better (possible?) to have just the front or rear wheels on the ground? Does it generate electricity and potentially overload the battery?

If I get towed on 2 wheels, do I need to go to the dealer and have my drivetrain inspected/replaced? Or is it kind of like how you’re SUPPOSED to “shutdown” your computer, but if you just yank the power cord out, sure you might lose unsaved progress on an excessively long RAV4World post you’re typing up, but it’ll probably be fine when you start it back up?

It’s a bit nerve-wracking to think that if I accidentally park in the wrong spot someone might come destroy my new car’s drivetrain with careless towing and I’ll get stuck with the bill.

I had a warranty issue and the dealer sent a tow from about 70 miles away. I was concerned. The guy pulled in with a flat bed. He went to each middle side and pulled out a plug (2020 Rav 4 Hybrid) He also said you could jump it from under the hood but that is a different issue.
He put hooks in the opening and without effort pulled the vehicle onto the flatbed! I was impressed. Don't let Jimmy's towing pick your car up if you need it! Make sure you have someone that knows what they are doing. I would suggest going through Toyota to find someone. They obviously know what they are doing. I have driven Toyotas, about all models for 45 years! Cheer!

 

He put hooks in the opening and without effort pulled the vehicle onto the flatbed

Lucky you to have a Japan-build RAV4 with the tow hook outlets

 

I have a 2019 XSE Japan build but can’t seem to locate the tow eyelet hook. I looked in the rear spear tire area and the small tool bag but no luck. Can someone confirm that we should have the eyelet hook?

 

Maybe they left it on the boat?

 

Some users reported not having them, can always inquire with your dealership of pick up and see what they say, Or finger one from the show room