Installing Curt Easy Mount Trailer Connector Bracket, Part # C58000, on 2013 Toyota RAV4

Question:

IVehicle 2013 rav 4 I have a 4 wire flat wire boat trailer connector. can I use plastic 67 way connector, and just use the needed poles. Would this cause any problems with current draw and or vehicle. I do not care for the metal receptacles, as they rust very easily. Is this a fairly strong bracket, as I am concerned it will flex, and I will be replacing the whole unit just from use. Sorry for all the questions, but I am considering Curt round tube hitch for vehicle above, and need to know bracket options. Thanks for your help

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

The Curt Easy Mount Bracket for 2-inch hitches, part # C58000, provides a mounting surface for both flat (4- or 5-way) and round (6- or 7-way) vehicle side trailer connectors. It is made of durable powder-coated steel and includes stainless steel hardware to secure it to a 2-inch hitch, such as the Curt # C13149. (This Class III hitch carries 525-lb tongue weight and 3500-lb gross towing weight ratings; 4000-lb GTW with weight distribution.)

The one end of the Curt bracket mounts to the hitch receiver opening, so when using the 4-pole (which mounts to the opposite end of the bracket) there could be some potential for flex when plugging in the 4-pole connector. But so long as the powder-coat finish does not crack there should not be any issue with corrosion.

You may prefer to use two separate brackets, one for the 4-pole and one for the 6- or 7-pole. You could use 4-pole bracket # 18144 along with one of the no-drill extensions; the short # 18140 or the long # C57202. You could then also use a separate 7-way bracket such as # 18138 along with a no-drill extension. I have linked videos for parts # 18144 and # 18140.

If your vehicle is equipped with a 7-pole trailer connector and your trailer uses a 4-pole connector, you can use an adapter to join the two, such as Pollak # PK12716, or you could replace the vehicle 7-pole with a combination 4-pole/7-pole connector, such as the Hopkins # HM48470. This single housing provides both 7-pole and 4-pole connectors on your vehicle for towing flexibility.

If the vehicle is equipped with a 6-pole connector, you can use Hopkins adapter # 37325 to convert it to a 4-pole to match your trailer.

If you prefer to avoid the brackets and adapters completely you could install wiring harness, part # 118578, which plugs into your RAV4 tail light wiring (and connects to your battery with the included wire) to provide a 4-pole connector for your trailer. This powered converter ensures brighter lights on your trailer and no risk of interference with the vehicle lighting system.

There is no issue for your vehicle electrical system if you use a trailer with a 4-pole connector so long as the trailer wiring is in good working order and free of shorts. You will simply need to either use an adapter, install the necessary 4-pole connector, or install a converter with 4-pole as noted.