Do You Go by the Trailer Hitch Capacity or the 2014 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual Capacity

Updated 06/27/2014 | Published 06/26/2014

Question:

The spec sheet and manual for my 2014 Toyota Rav4 has a max towing capacity of 1500lbs and a max tongue weight of 150lbs. I do not have the manufacturer hitch installed. If I install this hitch with its 525lb max tongue weight does that tongue weight hold true or do I still go by the manufacturers tongue weight of 150lbs. Is the 150lbs in the owners manual only for the Toyota installed hitch? Im assuming that Curt tested their hitch and the structural integrity of the frame were the hitch mounts so that I would get the 525lb max tongue weight with this hitch? Am I right on this or way off? Thanks for your help!

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

You always go by the lower rating, in this case since your 2014 Toyota RAV4 is rated for 1500 pounds gross trailer weight and 150 pounds tongue weight, that is what you must go by, even though the hitch is rated higher.

The rating for the hitch is just for the hitch itself. Everything in a towing set up has its own rating, so on the vehicle side the ball, ball mount, hitch, and vehicle all have their own ratings. Whichever is the lowest is the rating you go by.

If you can tell me what you want to tow or carry and the weight then I may have other recommendations for you.

expert reply by: Michael H