What You Need To Tow A Trailer With A 2017 Toyota Rav4

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Question:

Hi, I am happy to see your retailer website. I have a 2017 rav 4 .If I install the trailer hitch and tow a trailer would it effect my car performance. I mean the car engine. Because I am driving from Arizona to Washington. Please give me a good answer so I can order one and install it. Thanks

asked by: Haris

Expert Reply:

In order to tow a trailer with your 2017 Toyota Rav4, you will need a trailer hitch receiver, wiring harness, and ball mount with hitch ball. For this, I recommend using the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver part # e98864 as this hitch receiver has the highest rated weight capacity for all our RAV4 hitches. For a ball mount, I recommend using the Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop part # AMSC2 with our 2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter part # 63845.

You will also need a wiring harness and for this I recommend using the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part # 118578 as this is a plug and play kit. To secure all of this in addition to theft deterrence, you will also need a product like part # PC3, part # e98880, or part # 63232 to secure the extender in your 2" trailer hitch receiver.

In regards to vehicle performance while towing, the vehicle has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs therefore, as long as you are within that limit, your vehicle is perfectly safe and capable of towing a trailer. However, towing any additional weight can cause further strains to your vehicle's transmission and engine. For most people, it is a good idea to install a transmission cooler, such as the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler part # D13502 or an engine oil cooler like the Derale Stacked-Plate Engine Oil Cooler Kit w/ Sandwich Adapter part # D15602 for frequent or heavy towing applications.

Fortunately, we have installation videos on many of my recommendations on a similar year Toyota Rav4.