The Comprehensive Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid Towing Guide

Wondering about the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid towing capacity? Well, the towing capacity technically refers to the weight a vehicle can safely tow. Therefore, understanding this tidbit before attaching heavy items to your all-new RAV4 is important for preserving its components. 

However, in this detailed guide, I’ll share everything about the PHEV’s towing capacity, equipment, and tips to ensure a safe towing experience. So, let’s get started!

Note: Before we dive in, I want to say that Toyota has changed the name of the “Prime” to “Plug-In Hybrid” starting with the 2025 Plug-In Hybrid. Prime was the name of all the PHEVs from 2024 to 2021 when it was first released.

RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid Towing Capacity

The all-new 2025 Plug-In Hybrid can tow an impressive 2,500 lbs. This number is important to know as keeping the load within the vehicle’s capacity is important for ensuring a safe drive. This way you can avoid potential accidents and save the car’s vital components. 

Towing Examples

When towing anything behind the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, it’s essential to think about the total weight being towed. It’s not just the weight of the vehicle itself, but also everything else that’s added to it. For this reason, it’s not a good idea to choose an object that’s nearing the towing capacity. Here are some ideas on what trailers you can carry:

• Small aluminum and fiberglass boats.
• Small, ultra-lightweight trailers
• Many pop-up campers
• Small utility trailers
• Motorcycle
• Water skis
• Two jetskis
• Snowmobiles
• Bumper pull horse trailer and a horse
• 4 kayaks and a trailer.

When in doubt, it’s best to look at the weight of the gear. For a trailer, you can find this information by looking at the VIN label on the frame. They may also use scales/weighbridges at truck shops to determine the weight of your towing equipment.

Conditions That Impact Towing

Although the average maximum weight that a PHEV can tow is 2,500 pounds, there can be slight variations depending on the following factors:

• Windy weather
• Steep inclinations
• Heavy cargo and passengers

Things to Keep In Mind While Loading

There are a few important tidbits to keep in mind before you can safely hit the road. Ensure you follow the guidelines I am sharing here on properly loading the trailer to make for a worry-free towing experience:

Weight Distribution 

Ensure that as you load your trailer, the heavier items are situated at the front of the trailer. The front of the trailer should be carrying at least 60% of the total weight. This will help in reducing swaying and maintaining better control over the movement of the trailer. 

Vehicle Testing 

Take your vehicle for a small test drive to check for any issues in tire pressure, brakes, etc. This will also allow you to be confident in the hitch connection.

Things to Keep in Mind While Towing

There are a few notes to keep in mind when towing anything with your RAV4. These directions will help you maintain a safe ride while towing.

• Use “EV” mode when ascending or descending steeps
• Don’t engage in sudden brakes or abrupt turns
• Avoid towing on slippery pathways 
• Try not to tow in rainy or snowy conditions

Is Your RAV4 Ready for Towing?

Some cars come straight from the factory, ready to tow. This is not the case with the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid. It does not leave the factory ready to be towed.

Since the PHEV is not equipped with a tow hitch as standard, towing is not possible. However, installing a hitch is not a problem and there are several options to get the job done.

Which Hitch To Purchase

Here I am listing a few reputable hitches that you could look into:

• Torklift EcoHitch (easy installation)
• U-Haul
• Toyota Hitch (expensive)

Having a hitch installed

Now that the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid arrives without any issues it is important to think about how to install one. There are several options for installing a hitch. Choose an affordable solution that you can install yourself or prefer to rely on professionals.

Here are three ways I recommend installing a hitch, depending on your skill level.

1. Install a hitch yourself

With some basic mechanical experience, it is not difficult to install a hitch. The first step is to find a high-quality hitch that works with the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid. Follow these simple steps to install a tow hitch:

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Gather all the tools mentioned in the instructions. At a minimum, you’ll need shop lights, a ratchet, and sockets sets. It’s also helpful to have a torque wrench, safety glasses, and work gloves on hand.
• Park on a flat surface and chock the front wheels.
• Use a jack to raise the rear of the car to create more clearance.
• Adjust the work light for better visibility.
• Put the hitch in place and secure it with a bolt according to the instructions.
• Tighten all bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications.

If these steps seem too difficult or you don’t have experience working with cars, it’s best to choose another option.

2. Visit a U-Haul hitch installer

Although U-Haul is known for offering moving trailers and trucks, the company can also install a hitch. The provider currently has more than 1,500 locations for hitch installation.

To get started, fill out a form with your vehicle information. U-Haul tells you what trailer hitches and towing accessories are available. The company is backed by some of the biggest brands in the industry, including Curt, Hidden Hitch, and REESE.

U-Haul also supplies hitch balls, trailer accessories, wiring, and ball mounts. Everything you need for towing is available through U-Haul.

There is also the option to add a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. Extended warranty coverage goes beyond most independent installers. This warranty protects from incidents of corrosion, overloading, accidents, and more. If wiring is an issue, add the two-year warranty that only covers these parts.

3. Visit a Toyota dealer

To ensure warranty coverage, it is often best to visit a local Toyota dealer. Yes, it is the most expensive option among the options, but it may be worth it.

When you contact a Toyota dealer for hitch installation, genuine parts are always used. There is no question about the suitability or capability of Toyota parts. Additionally, dealer technicians are certified to work on RAV4 Plug-In Hybrids. Thanks to this certification, installation is also guaranteed.

Because there are a large number of hitch parts available, technicians know exactly what they need. There’s no need to figure out what’s best or choose a hitch that works. Toyota will do all of this for you, leaving you more time to focus on other priorities.

Parts Playing in the Pull

There are a few important parts that contribute to producing the remarkable towing capacity of the PHEV. These are all discussed below:

Engine

At the heart of the Plug-in Hybrid sits a 302 horsepower engine with a mileage of 40MPG making it optimized for both performance and fuel efficiency. This all-wheel drive engine is the force of the tow and its incredible momentum. At the same time, the engine also proves to be a superb choice for eco-conscious drivers with its remarkably low emissions. 

Brakes

The excellent brakes of the PHEV are great for towing heavy vehicles as they can easily break the momentum of the forward driving force and bring the vehicle to a stop in a reasonably good time. 

Another great plus of the PHEVs is the regenerative feature that charges your vehicle by turning the kinetic energy from the brake into electrical energy to charge the battery. This provides a great source for slow driving which is usually needed when towing heavy loads.

Frame

The TNGA-K’s robust frame helps ensure a solid grip of the trailer behind. Its structural rigidity ensures a stable connection between the vehicle and the load.

The unibody frame also helps maintain control and allows for easy maneuvering while driving. This makes it a great choice for towing around heavy objects.

Maintenance

The functioning of the RAV4’s towing ability needs to be maintained to optimize for safety and adventure. To ensure this, the following parts of the vehicle need to be maintained over time. 

• Cooling systems
• Brakes
• Engine
• Transmission 

If you get these components regularly checked by the mechanic, you will be able to maintain RAV4’s towing capacity over the years. 

Towing Capacities of The Different 2025 RAV4s 

How does the towing capacity of the 2025 Plug-In Hybrid compare with its counterparts? The difference in terms of towing capacities is mentioned here:

• The Plug-In Hybrid’s towing capacity is 2,500 lbs.
• The Hybrid’s towing capacity is 1,750 lbs.
• The gas-powered RAV4’s towing capacity is 1,500 lbs.

This differential towing capacity arises because of the difference in the horsepower of these RAV4s. The PHEV comes with a staggering 302 horsepower engine, followed by the HEV which has a 219 horsepower engine. Lastly, the gas-powered RAV4 has an 184 horsepower engine. Still not bad for an SUV.

Plug-In Hybrid & Previous Primes

The Plug-In Hybrid RAV4 has kept its towing capacity through the years by maintaining its incredible 2,500 lbs. dragging power. Toyota has undoubtedly performed a great job ensuring the highest quality of components in its most expensive RAV4. This has been true for the then-called Primes as well.

FAQs

Sources

You may find much of the information shared here on RAV4 Resource.

Conclusion

The Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid’s towing capacity is a remarkable 2,500 lbs. consistent with its previous Prime counterparts. The towing capacity is, at the same time, not to be over-estimated while loading items. This way you can ensure a safe and worry-free ride. In terms of the items that you can tow, you may tow campers, small boats, kayaks, water skis, etc.

While loading the trailer make sure to place most of the weight on the front side of the trailer and take for a test drive to ensure a seamless ride and smooth connection. Once you start driving, make sure you have your “EV” mode engaged, and also try to avoid sudden turns, slippery paths, and snowy or rainy weather.

You will need to attach a hitch to start towing, and I would recommend you get the Torklift EcoHitch, U-Haul hitch, or the Toyota hitch itself. You may install your hitch yourself and ask a U-Haul shop mechanic. Alternatively, you can go to the Toyota dealership for help as well. And with that, I hope you follow the guidelines and enjoy a great towing experience!