What You Need To Tow A Trailer With A 2017 Toyota Rav4
Question:
Hi, I am happy to see your retailer website. I have a 2017 rav 4 .If I install the trailer hitch and tow a trailer would it effect my car performance. I mean the car engine. Because I am driving from Arizona to Washington. Please give me a good answer so I can order one and install it. Thanks
asked by: Haris
Expert Reply:
In order to tow a trailer with your 2017 Toyota Rav4, you will need a trailer hitch receiver, wiring harness, and ball mount with hitch ball. For this, I recommend using the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver part # e98864 as this hitch receiver has the highest rated weight capacity for all our RAV4 hitches. For a ball mount, I recommend using the Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop part # AMSC2 with our 2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter part # 63845.
You will also need a wiring harness and for this I recommend using the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part # 118578 as this is a plug and play kit. To secure all of this in addition to theft deterrence, you will also need a product like part # PC3, part # e98880, or part # 63232 to secure the extender in your 2" trailer hitch receiver.
In regards to vehicle performance while towing, the vehicle has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs therefore, as long as you are within that limit, your vehicle is perfectly safe and capable of towing a trailer. However, towing any additional weight can cause further strains to your vehicle's transmission and engine. For most people, it is a good idea to install a transmission cooler, such as the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler part # D13502 or an engine oil cooler like the Derale Stacked-Plate Engine Oil Cooler Kit w/ Sandwich Adapter part # D15602 for frequent or heavy towing applications.
Fortunately, we have installation videos on many of my recommendations on a similar year Toyota Rav4.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Anti-Rattle Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock for 2" Hitches - 3-1/2" Span
- Trailer Hitch Lock
- Universal Anti-Rattle Lock
- Keyed Unique
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Spring-Loaded Pin
- 3-1/2 Inch Span
- Lets Go Aero
more information >
2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 2-1/8 Inch Shank Length
- 1 Inch Diameter Shank
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Tow Ready
more information >
Convert-A-Ball Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 10,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- Steel Shank - Matte Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 10000 lbs GTW
- Shock Absorbing
- Convert-A-Ball
more information >
Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient
- Transmission Coolers
- Plate-Fin Cooler
- Mid-Size Truck
- SUV
- Van
- Standard Mount
- 11W x 7-1/4T x 7/8D Inch
- With 11/32 Inch Hose Barb Inlets
- Derale
more information >
Derale Stacked-Plate Engine Oil Cooler Kit w/ Sandwich Adapter (Multiple Threads) - Class III
- Engine Oil Coolers
- Stacked-Plate Cooler
- W/ Sandwich Adapter
- Class III
- 13W x 4-9/16T x 2D Inch
- With - 8 AN Inlets
- Derale
more information >
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock for 2" Hitches - Flush - 2-5/8" Span - Chrome
- Trailer Hitch Lock
- Standard Pin Lock
- Keyed Alike
- Chrome
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Flush Pin
- 2-5/8 Inch Span
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 525 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 4000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 525 lbs WD TW
- Visible Cross Tube
- etrailer
more information >
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