Trailer Hitch For Carrying A 1UP Bike Rack On A 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Question

Question:

I have a 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. I need a vehicle-specific 2-inch receiver for a 1UP bicycle rack. The rack and bicycles together weigh about 104 lb. I am not towing a trailer. Please quote the receiver and installation separately from any wiring, and give me the hitch manufacturer and part number. Please also explain how you confirm the vehicle’s allowable hitch-mounted load, rather than just the receiver’s rating.

asked by: Ira I

0

Expert Reply:

Hi Ira!

To carry a 1UP bike rack on your 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, I recommend going with the Trailer Mate Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # TMT54FR. This is a direct bolt on application and we have it rated 4 out of 10 for the install difficulty (which typically means roughly 40 minutes for install time).

The price can be found on the page (and the shipping will be free if you are in the lower 48 states), but I can't quote how much the install will be. To find that, you can either use out installer link (attached to this page) to find local installers, or you can call places you know that can install hitches for the best price (I always recommend a trusted mechanic you have used before).

While this hitch has 350 pounds of tongue weight capacity, it looks like your RAV4 has 175 pounds of useable capacity. I found this in your owner's manual on page 210. That page says your max towing capacity is 1,750 pounds and the max tongue weight capacity is 10% of that number. If you wanted to confirm that, you could contact a local Toyota dealer as well.

What kind of bikes are you going to be carrying?

expert reply by: Lazer S

0

Trailer Mate TMT54FR Installed
(click to enlarge)

Ira I.

10/20/2026

I will be carrying a 1Up 2 bike rack, 1 road bike, and 1 e-bike for a combined total of about 105 lbs

Ira I.

10/20/2026

How does that rack compare to the CURT CM77?

Lazer S.

10/21/2026

@IraI I believe you meant the Curt # C77MJ (your text got cut off). Trailer Mate is actually Curt's "budget" brand, so they are pretty similar. Both are American made and bolt on to your RAV4 the exact same way. The only real difference between them are the capacities. The Curt is rated higher at 4,500 pounds towing and 675 pounds of tongue weight. Since your vehicle can't handle anywhere near that kind of capacity, I figured saving the money and going with the lower rated option would be the better way to go in your case. Especially since it still has plenty of carrying capacity and will handle what you need it to very easily.

Jeff M.

10/21/2026

I got this same hitch for a Thule 2 bike rack. I installed a similar hitch several years ago myself, but I had someone else do it this time. Install cost about $100. It was worth it as the Rav had some tight clearance on the one side and it was much easier for the mech to do this on a lift. YMMV.

Mike B.

10/21/2026

I bought the 2 inch receiver unit for my 2025 RAV4 last July or August. It was easy to install, probably took about an hour. The only problem I had and I saw somebody else mentioned this in the reviews is that one side was very tight and there was very little room to get the bolt in. I had my 12-year-old grandson. Do that one for me and it works great we use this unit to carry a Thule 2 bike rack and it has worked out great absolutely no problems or complaints. Very good product.

Answer 1

Hey Adrian! The higher capacity for the B&W #BW47BR and Curt #C77MJ comes from the construction. The B&W hitch weighs 45 lbs and then the Curt and Trailer Mate #TMT54FR both weigh 32 lbs. The Trailer Mate does sit just a tad higher compared…

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Answer 2

Ben, the Trailer Mate’s #TMT54FR 350-lb tongue weight rating is plenty for most 4-bike racks, provided you’re not overloading with heavy 100lb e-bikes. Standard adult or kids’ bikes usually fall well within the limit, and even a couple ebikes too.…

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Answer 3

Hannah, you’re in good shape here. The Trailer Mate #TMT54FR for your 2025 RAV4 Prime sits up close to the bumper with a concealed cross tube, so you keep solid ground clearance, comparable to many of the common hitches for this vehicle. This…

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Answer 4

Hi Mykal! Though I can say the Trailer Mate Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" #TMT54FR will fit your 2021 Toyota RAV4, we haven't had the chance to do an install with one for this hitch yet. However, we did recently shoot…

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Answer 5

Chris, Curt recommends using a stabilizing strap for all non-trailer loads on some class 1 1-1/4" receivers, but for the 2" receivers like the Trailer Mate #TMT54FR, you won't need to worry about that strap. What type of bike rack do…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

Hey Jonathon thank you so much for all of that additional information! To haul your bikes behind your class C Sprinter motorhome, while flat towing your Mini, I recommend the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack item #HLY64FR and the Roadmaster Dual…

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Answer 9

The main difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13416 and the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part #EH97FR is that the EcoHitch has a completely hidden cross tube whereas the Curt cross tube will be visible from the rear of…

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Answer 10

Hey Paul. You can indeed install the Curt Hitch item #C99RJ on your 2025 VW Tiguan without trimming. The only issue with not trimming the lower fascia when installing the Curt item #C99RJ is that square tube connecting the receiver touches the trim.…

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Answer 11

Hi Stephanie! Great question and you’re totally right to ask, because most hitches for the 2024 RAV4 do require a bit of bumper trimming. That includes the Oris Detachable Hitch #TS66VR, since it uses a hidden design that needs a hole cut in the…

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Answer 12

Hey Tanner! These hitches are all pretty similar so it can be hard to decide between them. If I were you I would choose the Curt #C77MJ over the other two. The Curt #C77MJ and etrailer #e84ZV actually share the same design, and both have the…

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Trailer Hitch For Carrying A 1UP Bike Rack On A 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

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