Will Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Keep Liftgate Function from Working on 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Published 02/27/2020

Question:

I have a 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with Liftgate function. The spec sheets for the #36675 all warn that the hitch may interfere or disable this function. Ive read all the QandAs about the hitch, and none mention either an issue or lack of an issue with the Liftgate sensors. I will use the 1 1/4 hitch for a bike rack that I bought for my 2014 Prius V. Got that hitch from you as well. But no Liftgate sensors. Is this always a problem?

asked by: Kenneth E

Expert Reply:

The Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver # 36675 shouldn't keep the liftgate function from working on your 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. We haven't personally tested this out (simply because we haven't had a car in with that feature), but when I've reached out to Draw-Tite about this they said that it worked just fine when they tested it out.

The only thing that will change is that you need to find the "sweet spot" for the sensors. Since you will be placing a piece of steel between the bumper and your foot you won't be able to just swipe your foot; you will need to use more of a back-and-forth kicking motion.

Attached is an installation video on a 2019 RAV4 that you can reference, as well as a photo showing where other people have had success activating the liftgate feature.

expert reply by: Jon G