Tow Hitch and Wiring for 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE for Bike Rack and Trailering Use
Question:
Looking for an all purpose hitch for my vehicle. Will mostly be used for bike rack receiver. However, I will be moving from Florida to California end of July towing a 5foot x 8foot uhaul trailer. And who knows, maybe a camper one day.
asked by: Rae
Expert Reply:
We can help you with a suitable hitch and the wiring harness and other trailering items you need for your 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE.
All hitch options appear on the page I linked for you. I recommend etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" # e98864 since it fits your hybrid and offers both a high weight rating and lower cost than some of the other hitch options. I included an install video for your review. For a wiring harness for trailer lights you can use the Tekonsha 4-pole harness # 118578 which offers mostly plug-in installation.
In this hitch you can use a bike rack made to fit a 2-inch hitch. A great value in a quality 4-bike rack comes from Thule, their Hitching Post Pro hanging style rack # TH934XTR. The linked help article on hitch bike racks will help you consider your best option for your particular bikes.
If the trailers you'll be towing have electric brakes then you will need additional equipment to enable the RAV4 to send brake signals to those trailers. In addition to the 4-pole harness noted above you will also need a brake controller such as the Prodigy P2 # 90885 an a controller installation kit # ETBC7. These two items will enable you to set up the RAV4 with a 7-way type trailer connector that can send the P2's signals to the trailer's brakes. An install video is included.
Towing also requires a ball mount and hitch ball and I suggest the kit # 989900 which includes two ball and two ball mounts along with hitch pins and clips.
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 >
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
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 >
Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 4 Bikes
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Class 3
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Thule
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 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
- CURT
more information >
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