Can the Rear Plastic Panel on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Be Reused When Installing Hitch

Question:

Do you guys have any ideas/instructions for trimming the driver side panel that the video says to discard? I have a 2017 RAV 4 Hybrid. The panel is pretty flimsy but it does provide protection for a major wire harness. Id like to reinstall it. Im just looking for ideas if youve got em. Thanks.

asked by: Jerry R

Helpful Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but the installation instructions for the etrailer hitch, #e98864, does not show how to trim this plastic cover to fit around the hitch.

However, the Curt Hitch, # C13149, for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 does include instructions on where to trim this panel if you want to re-install back on your RAV4.

The attached picture will show a diagram where Curt recommends to trim this panel.

However, since this has only been tested on a Curt hitch, there is no way to know if this modification of the panel will work with the etrailer hitch. Both the Curt and etrailer hitches are very similar in construction so the trimming area may work. However, there maybe more modification needed to fit the etrailer hitch.

expert reply by: Jared P