I know this is supposed to be “what did I do to my RAV 4 today" but I have a lot of catching up to do.
December 8-2009 – Took Delivery of new 2010 RAV 4, Barcelona Red, V6 AWD. I started looking at Ford Escape as I was so happy that Ford did not take federal money and I had been a Ford guy from 1965 – 1999 when I started buying Toyota’s. I drove both the Escape 4 and 6 and RAV4 4 and 6 and when I looked at Consumer Reports, Toyota looked like the way to go. Toyota was rated higher in EVERY category. Yes, Ford said that their quality is equal to Nissan and Toyota but who do I believe, an independent organization like Consumer Reports or the company trying to sell you “their” product?
December 15th 2009 – One week old, rear drivers side door got dinged by shopping cart at supermarket. No evidence of who did it but they left the cart parked by the front of my vehicle. (anybody have a fingerprint kit???) Ordered side moldings same day. Don’t really want to install them but I had to try to get some protection for the sides. If the moldings had been installed, it wouldn’t have prevented the dent at this height. ( $199 installed)
January 1-2010 – Install Draw-Tite #75432 Class III 2” Hitch and #118412 wiring harness from e-trailer ($220.85). The main reason for a hitch (and I ordered the RAV 4 with the tow prep option) was not to tow a trailer but to install bike and ski racks on the hitch. I decided to install the light wiring it in case I pull a small trailer for yard waste etc. I spent several weeks using consumer reports and e-trailer.com customer reviews to decide on which hitch to buy. I liked the round tube design as well as a mounting plate for the wire adapter. All after market hitches seem to hang lower that the factory hitch but $220 vs. $800…no brainer!
January 12th, 2010 – 1,000 mile dealer courtesy inspection. Had mud guards installed ($ 99 installed)
January 27th, 2010 – 2020 miles - Owner Oil change, Purolator L25608 filter and 6.5 qts. Mobile 1 synthetic, 5-30.
February 8, 2010 – Install Auto Vision Guard rear view camera, mirror, and 4 distance sensors ($149.99). Rear view is really poor for a guy use to cars (this is my first SUV). Local shop that installs after market units for the local Toyota dealer started at a fair price ($402) and each time I went back, the priced inched up until the price was $753 so I said, screw it, I’ll try something myself. Found this Audio Vision Guard from Sonic Electronix.com. Mirror similar to MITO unit but camera is larger. Camera is not as easy to conceal as the MITO unit but hey, I saved $450..I’ll live with that!
February 11th, 2010 Joined RAV 4 World.com.
February 15th, 2010 – Received and installed Weather Tech mats and cargo liner ($224.90).
February 20th – Install Black Metal Front License Plate frame (Advanced Auto) ($ 6.00) Just makes the front plant look more “finished” vs. the edges of the license plate.
March 29th, 2010 – Received Thule 990 two bike rack with lock from local Bicycle Shop (The Wheel Base) ($ 270.00 rack $ 27.00 lock) I belong to a local bicycle club and get a discount that made the price from my local shop equal to the mail order places. I like to give the local shops my business if possible even if a few dollars more.
April 3rd, 2010 - Don’t like the look of the trailer light wires just hanging down (I was never a fan of keeping the connector inside and just taking out when needed like e-trailer video shows either). I ordered and installed a Hopkins #37175 wiring adapter. ($22.95)
There, I’m up to date! Since then, I’ve just been washing, driving, and enjoying.
Comments on this site regarding hitches, bike racks, accessories etc. have been very helpful. Each person still needs to rank the features that is most important to them prior to making a “buy” decision but the collective experience of the membership is invaluable.
Thanks!
December 8-2009 – Took Delivery of new 2010 RAV 4, Barcelona Red, V6 AWD. I started looking at Ford Escape as I was so happy that Ford did not take federal money and I had been a Ford guy from 1965 – 1999 when I started buying Toyota’s. I drove both the Escape 4 and 6 and RAV4 4 and 6 and when I looked at Consumer Reports, Toyota looked like the way to go. Toyota was rated higher in EVERY category. Yes, Ford said that their quality is equal to Nissan and Toyota but who do I believe, an independent organization like Consumer Reports or the company trying to sell you “their” product?
December 15th 2009 – One week old, rear drivers side door got dinged by shopping cart at supermarket. No evidence of who did it but they left the cart parked by the front of my vehicle. (anybody have a fingerprint kit???) Ordered side moldings same day. Don’t really want to install them but I had to try to get some protection for the sides. If the moldings had been installed, it wouldn’t have prevented the dent at this height. ( $199 installed)
January 1-2010 – Install Draw-Tite #75432 Class III 2” Hitch and #118412 wiring harness from e-trailer ($220.85). The main reason for a hitch (and I ordered the RAV 4 with the tow prep option) was not to tow a trailer but to install bike and ski racks on the hitch. I decided to install the light wiring it in case I pull a small trailer for yard waste etc. I spent several weeks using consumer reports and e-trailer.com customer reviews to decide on which hitch to buy. I liked the round tube design as well as a mounting plate for the wire adapter. All after market hitches seem to hang lower that the factory hitch but $220 vs. $800…no brainer!
January 12th, 2010 – 1,000 mile dealer courtesy inspection. Had mud guards installed ($ 99 installed)
January 27th, 2010 – 2020 miles - Owner Oil change, Purolator L25608 filter and 6.5 qts. Mobile 1 synthetic, 5-30.
February 8, 2010 – Install Auto Vision Guard rear view camera, mirror, and 4 distance sensors ($149.99). Rear view is really poor for a guy use to cars (this is my first SUV). Local shop that installs after market units for the local Toyota dealer started at a fair price ($402) and each time I went back, the priced inched up until the price was $753 so I said, screw it, I’ll try something myself. Found this Audio Vision Guard from Sonic Electronix.com. Mirror similar to MITO unit but camera is larger. Camera is not as easy to conceal as the MITO unit but hey, I saved $450..I’ll live with that!
February 11th, 2010 Joined RAV 4 World.com.
February 15th, 2010 – Received and installed Weather Tech mats and cargo liner ($224.90).
February 20th – Install Black Metal Front License Plate frame (Advanced Auto) ($ 6.00) Just makes the front plant look more “finished” vs. the edges of the license plate.
March 29th, 2010 – Received Thule 990 two bike rack with lock from local Bicycle Shop (The Wheel Base) ($ 270.00 rack $ 27.00 lock) I belong to a local bicycle club and get a discount that made the price from my local shop equal to the mail order places. I like to give the local shops my business if possible even if a few dollars more.
April 3rd, 2010 - Don’t like the look of the trailer light wires just hanging down (I was never a fan of keeping the connector inside and just taking out when needed like e-trailer video shows either). I ordered and installed a Hopkins #37175 wiring adapter. ($22.95)
There, I’m up to date! Since then, I’ve just been washing, driving, and enjoying.
Comments on this site regarding hitches, bike racks, accessories etc. have been very helpful. Each person still needs to rank the features that is most important to them prior to making a “buy” decision but the collective experience of the membership is invaluable.
Thanks!
