Class III Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2019 Toyota RAV4

Updated 10/18/2020 | Published 10/16/2020

Products Featured in This Question

EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(275)

$375.64

1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs

(2620)

$12.45

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs

(1358)

$12.85

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(856)

$74.46

Curt Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 4" Rise, 6" Drop - 14-1/4" Long - 6,000 lbs

(3838)

$41.40

Question:

Hi, I am seeking a hitch for our 2019 Rav-4. I see that you offer a variety from the EcoHitch the most expensive, to the Curt Class III, and the Draw Tite Class III. My questions are the following: 1.What class is the EcoHitch and why is it so much more expensive? 2.How hard is it to install the latter two hitches myself I think I would need to hire a professional to install the EcoHitch if I need to lower the muffler? 3.Whats the difference between these 3 hitches in terms of quality and features?

asked by: Gil N

Expert Reply:

The EcoHitch # EH97FR that you'd looked at is a Class III with a 2 inch receiver opening. This hitch is pretty expensive because it's constructed of an alloy that combines steel, aluminum and stainless steel, much of which has been recycled. The hitch is a concealed design which means that the only portion of the hitch that's visible from the rear is the receiver tube and the safety chain hooks, as opposed to older hitch designs where the entire hitch including the crossbar would be visible.

The etrailer # e23ZR and the Curt # C13416 Class III hitches are described as having a 5 and a 3 on a scale of 10 level of installation difficulty, respectively. The Curt model is a bit easier as it doesn't require lowering the muffler. Either of those 2 hitches should be fairly easy to install for the average person who is fairly handy. They are also a concealed design, like the EcoHitch.

In my opinion, the EcoHitch is the nicer of the three as far as overall quality goes, and it has the highest tongue weight and towing capacity of the three, but you'll be limited by the 3500 maximum towing capacity of your RAV4 (towing capacity depends on how the vehicle is equipped, your capacity could be lower) so the capacity of the hitch itself is a moot point. It's a nice hitch, but in my opinion at twice the price of the Curt # C13416, it's not worth the price differential. I'd recommend the Curt.

If you'll be towing with the hitch, you'll need a few other items. For a trailer wiring harness, use # C56434, and for a ball mount, use # D-28 along with a # PC3 hitch pin. For a trailer ball, use # 19260 for a 1-7/8 or
# 63845 for a 2 inch ball.

I've linked to installation videos for the Draw-Tite and the Curt hitch. You can watch the videos and determine if this is something you'd feel comfortable attempting yourself.