Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity

How Much Weight Can the RAV4 Handle?

The Toyota RAV4 is ready to get to work! The TRD Off-Road and Adventure trims are the strongest of the bunch, as they offer a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. These properly-equipped trims also offer a payload of 1,025 pounds, so you can comfortably fit plenty of items in the back of the vehicle.

All other properly-equipped Toyota RAV4 trims—traditional gas and hybrids—offer between 1,500 and 1,750 pounds of maximum towing. These versions, however, also offer a bit more maximum payload, usually eclipsing just over 1,200 pounds. So, the trim you choose will depend on your needs.

For context, here are just a handful of things you can tow with 3,500 pounds of capacity:

• A utility trailer
• Jet skis
• Snowmobiles
• A small camper trailer
• A fiberglass fishing boat

Similarly, with a capacity of 1,500 pounds, here are a few examples of what you can tow:

• A-Frame camper
• Flatbed trailer
• An ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle)
• Motorcycle
• A small rowboat

Next, we’ll cover some features the RAV4 has that can make towing your items even easier!

How Can I Make Towing Easier with the RAV4?

One of the many things the RAV4 does well is help you tow your items with several different features. This all-purpose SUV offers multiple Drive Mode Select modes, three of which come standard: Sport Mode, Eco Mode, and Normal Mode.

If you were to upgrade to a higher trim level, you can make use of MUD & SAND, ROCK & DIRT, and SNOW modes. These available Multi-Terrain Select modes are designed to make travel on any surface easier.

Furthermore, the standard Hill Start Assist Control can help you climb obstacles, regardless of if you have anything attached or not. With 8.4 inches of ground clearance, the RAV4 will make sure the road ahead is clear.

Lastly, the RAV4 offers an available tow hitch receiver and wiring harness, making hooking up much smoother.

What Should I Be Aware Of When Towing Items?

If you’re towing items for the first time, it’s good to have these tips in your back pocket:

• Check your trailer tires: Just like you’d check the pressure on your vehicle’s tires, you’ll want to make sure your trailer’s tires are the correct PSI—or “pound per square inch”—pressure to avoid potential incident.
• Make sure your RAV4 is current with its maintenance: When you tow, regardless of what it is, you’re putting additional stress on your vehicle. As such, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle has had all its shots, so to speak.
• Match the hitch ball to the trailer: It’s imperative that the hitch ball on your tow hitch is the same size as the coupler on your trailer. If they don’t match up, it can cause an accident.
• Check trailer lights: You’ll want to make sure your trailer’s lights are working, including the running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights.

Lastly, make sure that what your towing doesn’t exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle.