Trailer Hitch Installation

JDJ · **Joined:** Sat May 11, 2013 7:04 am **Posts:** 8

great Pics & U gave info on the hitch but what about the wiring harness?
Which did you use on your install?

Many thanks

TonyWilliams · **Posted:** Mon May 13, 2013 7:47 am

JDJ wrote:

great Pics & U gave info on the hitch but what about the wiring harness?
Which did you use on your install?

Many thanks

http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehi ... 18412.html

Daenfa · **Posted:** Tue May 28, 2013 10:19 pm

Tony did you do any research on hitch installs voiding the warranty on the RAV4? The wording seems to be open to interpretation.

Thanks in advance Frederick Daenitz

TonyWilliams · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 1:54 am

Daenfa wrote:

Tony did you do any research on hitch installs voiding the warranty on the RAV4? The wording seems to be open to interpretation.

Thanks in advance Frederick Daenitz

No, I didn't, because trailer hitches can't possibly void a warranty (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson_Act).

Towing a trailer might void your warranty, if it could be proven that doing so is the cause of a failure in the car that would ordinarily be covered by warranty. Obviously, that could be the case if towing were "recommended" by the vehicle manufacturer, or not.

Towing is not prohibited by Toyota, nor would they be able to prohibit you from doing so. It is not recommended, since Toyota did zero testing for things that are pertinent to towing. The Rav4 oil burner is rated for 3500 pounds of towing, and the trailer hitch receiver does bolt into the exact same four pre-threaded holes on both the EV and oil burner Rav4.

Ampster · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 4:35 pm

Daenfa wrote:

Tony did you do any research on hitch installs voiding the warranty on the RAV4? The wording seems to be open to interpretation.

Thanks in advance Frederick Daenitz

I am thinking of installing a hitch for a bike rack and can't imagine that voiding any warranty.

HD172 · **Joined:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:04 am **Posts:** 69

I bought the same hitch as Tony from amazon for $126.89. My bike rack is a Kuat with with built in cable lock and repair stand. The cargo door can open with the bikes off and the bikes stand tilted in the down position. I love both hitch and rack.
The hitch is a Reese Towpower 51157 Pro Series Class III Hitch with 2" Round Tube Receiver

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

rickrodod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:08 am **Posts:** 4

Tony Williams thanks for the tip I ordered my hitch.
On another note... Were you out at Balboa park on Earth Day showing your EV?

TonyWilliams · **Posted:** Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:49 am

rickrodod wrote:

Tony Williams thanks for the tip I ordered my hitch.
On another note... Were you out at Balboa park on Earth Day showing your EV?

Yep, that was me!!

viewtopic.php?p=3326#p3326

cossie1600 · **Joined:** Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:15 am **Posts:** 243

I just installed the CURT hitch, you don't need to remove the rear bumper at all. Just get a screwdriver to remove the tape from the holes, get a jack to help you guide the hitch onto the holes and it should take you less than 30 minutes to install.

TonyWilliams · **Posted:** Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:01 pm

cossie1600 wrote:

I just installed the CURT hitch, you don't need to remove the rear bumper at all. Just get a screwdriver to remove the tape from the holes, get a jack to help you guide the hitch onto the holes and it should take you less than 30 minutes to install.

You don't have o remove the bumper for any of the hitches. The wiring is easier with the bumper off.

Online Forum for the 2012 Rav4 EV

Toyota Rav4 EV Forum

Trailer Hitch Installation