Cargo Carrying Recommendations For 2011 Toyota RAV4

Question:

Great web site! I am planning another road trip from new jersey to alaska. I am planning to return across canada to labrador-newfoundland and then back to new jersey beginning in April 2015 in my 2011 Toyota RAV4 with runflat tires. There is no spare tire mounted on the rear swing open style not a hatch liftgatedoor on my model because of the runflat tires. I have an aftermarket trailer hitch with a 2inch receiver. Could you please provide me a list of all your cargo carriers for 2inch hitches that will clear my back door, I will be strapping a container filled with bags of dog food, water, a camp stove, dehydrated food, a tent to the carrier. I will have to remove this carrier from the vehicle to put up a ramp so my 12 year old Labrador Retriever can get back into the vehicle since she has trouble jumping up into the car unassisted. I look forward to your reply and doing business with your company. Please dont hesitate to contact me if you have further questions or would like me to forward a picture of the rear of my vehicle with the pet ramp I set up please let me know.I want to make as an informed decision as possible before leaving on this next journey. Thank you.

asked by: Steven B

Expert Reply:

Sounds like you have a great trip planned. We have several hitch-mounted carriers to choose from that fit a 2 inch receiver opening. I have attached a link to all of the carriers we offer that you can take a look at.

From my research I found that your 2011 Toyota RAV4 has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. That means you have a tongue weight capacity of approximately 150 lbs. Tongue weight is the weight of the cargo carrier you place in the hitch added to the weight of any cargo you place in the carrier. and the weight of any cargo you place behind the rear axle of your RAV4. You may want to consider one of the lighter hitch-mounted carriers and possibly a roof rack along with a cargo carrier on the roof as well.

One of the lightest carriers I recommend is the Curt Cargo Carrier, part # C18113. This carrier measures 22-1/2 inches x 49 inches and is made out of aluminum. This carrier weighs just 25 lbs.

We also offer a cargo net which comes in handy to secure everything to the carrier. The Curt Stretchable Cargo Net, part # C18202, fits carriers that measure 20 x 60 inches, and has plastic hooks for securing the stretchable net to the carrier. I have attached a product review video you can check out.

If you wish to consider a roof rack and carrier, and you have the factory installed rails that run front to back on your RAV4, I recommend the Rhino Rack Vortex roof rack. This system includes aerodynamic aluminum crossbars that are extremely quiet. To order this system you would need part # RRVA118B-2, and part # RRSX100.

If you do not have the factory raised rails on your RAV4, I recommend the Rhino Rack Vortex roof rack system that includes the clamps and pads. To order this system you need part # RRVA126B-2, part # RRRLKVA, and part # DK043.