Tow Hitch and Wiring for 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE for Bike Rack and Trailering Use

Question

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

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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.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

The differences between the between the Curt #C13149 and the Curt #C13406 for your 2017 Toyota RAV4 are that the 13149 has a visible crosstube and is rated for use with a weight distribution system while the 13406 has a concealed crosstube (for a…

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Answer 2

For a Class I hitch like yours we do not recommend the use of hitch adapters since they cut the capacity of the hitch they are installed on by 50 percent and add quite a bit of movement. Instead we'd recommend a bike rack like the Thule…

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Answer 3

Yes, we do. I recommend Curt, part #C13406. It's a fit for all of the 2018 RAV4's including the Hybrid model like you have. I like how the crosstube is hidden behind the RAV4's bumper and all you see is the receiver tube…

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Answer 4

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 5

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 6

To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota RAV4, I recommend the etrailer item #e23ZR. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a 4,000 lbs towing capacity, and a 600…

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Answer 7

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a…

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Answer 8

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 9

Yep, so long as your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is not a hybrid both the Curt and etrailer hitches will fit: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13382 - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 The only difference besides price is the finish; the…

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Answer 10

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 11

As far as wiring for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, we do have the Curt #C59236 available which is more of a universal hardwire harness. Unfortunately there are not any plug-and-play options that have been confirmed to fit as of yet (October 4,…

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Answer 12

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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Tow Hitch and Wiring for 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE for Bike Rack and Trailering Use

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