What Components Are Needed To Tow A Pop Up Camper With A 2018 Toyota RAV4?
Question:
Hi, New to towing things. Besides tha actual class III towing bar, what else do I need? I assume I need something to share my lights with the pop up camper. And I’ll need the correct size ball hitch to join the 2” square receiver tube. What else? Any recommendations ? Will any of these require welding? I’m approaching it as a DIY thing—I’m pretty handy—but tell me if this is over my head. Thanks guys and keep up the excellent work!
asked by: Kasey
Expert Reply:
I would be happy to go over everything you need to tow your pop up camper with your 2018 Toyota RAV4.
Besides the trailer hitch receiver you will still need a vehicle wiring harness to power the lights on the trailer, and a ball mount, hitch ball, and hitch pin and clip to connect the trailer hitch to your pop up camper.
Starting with the vehicle wiring harness I recommend the Tekonsha # 118578 which plugs into the factory connectors on your vehicle, but will require you to run a power wire to the positive terminal of your battery with the included fuse to protect your factory wiring. A 4-way connector is commonly used on pop up campers like yours and provides the brake light, tail light/running light, and turn signal functions to your trailer.
If your trailer happens to have trailer brakes installed you will need to install a 7-way connector and trailer brake controller as well. I recommend using the # ETBC7L which plugs into the newly installed 4-way connector and just requires you to ground the white wire to the frame of your vehicle and run the black wire to the positive terminal of your vehicle's battery with the included 40 amp circuit breaker. This kit was designed for wireless controllers so I recommend going with the Curt Echo Wireless # C51180 as it plugs directly into the 7-way thus not requiring any additional wiring like a traditional controller would.
Now the correct ball mount will be dependent on the coupler height of your specific trailer and the hitch height of the trailer hitch receiver on your vehicle so I have included a link to a helpful article that goes over how to measure for the correct ball mount along with a link to our selection of ball mounts.
To determine the correct hitch ball there are two things you will need to know, the size of the hitch ball that your trailer requires, and what size shank your ball mount is compatible with. To determine the correct hitch ball size you will just need to check the top of your trailer coupler as it will be stamped there. The correct shank size will be dependent on which ball mount you decide on, and can be found on the product page for each ball mount.
To secure the ball mount to your trailer hitch receiver I recommend going with a hitch lock, the # e98881, which will keep the ball mount secure to your hitch to deter theft.
If you do not already have a trailer hitch receiver picked out for you RAV4 I recommend going with the Curt # C13406 due to it having a hidden crosstube meaning that once installed the only part of the hitch that will be visible is the receiver itself as you can see in the included picture.
When it comes to installation of these components you can absolutely install them yourself since you are pretty handy I just recommend allotting yourself extra time to complete the install so you are not in any rush, and following the included install videos to make life easier.
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug Mount w/ Bluetooth App - 1 to 2 Axle - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Hidden
- Up to 2 Axles
- Smartphone Display
- CURT
more information >
etrailer Hitch Receiver Lock for 2" and 2-1/2" Hitches - Flush - 3-5/8" Span - Chrome
- Trailer Hitch Lock
- Standard Pin Lock
- Keyed Alike
- Steel
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2-1/2 Inch Hitch
- Flush Pin
- 3-5/8 Inch Span
- etrailer
more information >
7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 12 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- 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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