How Difficult Is Installing Hitch By Yourself On 2020 Toyota RAV4?

Published 08/14/2025

Question:

I like to do my own installs. How tough is putting this hitch on a 2020 RAV4?

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

Mark, the Trailer Mate 2" Hitch # TMT54FR is one of the simpler installs you’ll find. You’ll peel back a couple of stickers to access the factory weld nuts, possibly remove the passenger-side tie-down loop, and bolt the hitch up with the supplied hardware. No drilling, no trimming, and no welding. I've attached a demo video of the curt hitch install process, which is going to be the same exact install for the Trailer Mate since it's made by Curt.

If you have a helper or a floor jack to hold the hitch while you start the bolts, you can be done in under an hour. Do you have a torque wrench on hand to snug it to spec?

And for all the DIYers here, got any clever one-person install tricks for a hitch this size?

expert reply by: Andrew N