A reason why many drivers opt for crossovers, SUVs, and trucks, as opposed to sedans or hatchbacks, is to be able to tow equipment. Whether you’re looking to take the boat for a weekend fishing trip or help your buddy move with a trailer, it’s important to know how much your vehicle is able to tow. Today, we’re focusing on the Toyota RAV4 and providing you with any details you might need with regards to towing.
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How much can the Toyota RAV4 tow?
First things first, how much can the RAV4 be equipped to tow? With the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, the current 2018 RAV4 can tow up to 1,500 pounds. If you upgrade to the hybrid powertrain, however, that bumps the towing capacity up to 1,750 pounds. The 4-cylinder towing capacity is also true for the past few model-years, back to when it was redesigned in 2012. The hybrid model was introduced in 2016.
Some of you might be thinking, what about the all-new 2019 RAV4? Although the engine is carried over from the 2018 model, the updated automatic transmission might mean a boost in towing capacity. We’ll have to wait and see for sure, since those numbers are yet to be officially released.
Towing equipment for the Toyota RAV4
As with any other vehicle, you’ll need some equipment and accessories in order to tow with the RAV4. Obviously, you’ll need a trailer hitch to attach your vehicle to said equipment. You may also need special wiring and/or adapters to transfer lighting and other necessary electrical systems to whatever you’re towing. Likewise, certain RAV4 features, such as the rearview camera in most recent models, improve the towing process by allowing you to line up the hitch and the receiver more easily.
Read more: What’s the difference between crossovers and SUVs?
If you’d like to learn more about towing with your Toyota RAV4, feel free to reach out to our team at Toyota Vacaville or get in touch with your local Toyota dealer.
