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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,581
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Toyota RAV4- where is the trailer wiring?
Monday night I purchased a 2007 Toyota RAV4 as my family vehicle. According to the window sticker the vehicle has the trailer towing package installed which includes " wiring harness installed". But when I took a quick look under the bumper when I brought it home I don't find anything. I expected to see some wire rolled up with a standard 4 pin connector but I see nothing
 Oddly the vehicle doesn't have a hitch installed, it had to be ordered and I'm waiting for it to come in. I know I can ask the dealer but I thought I would ask here. So does wiring harness installed mean something other than the obvious?
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-05-2007, 04:55 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
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You sure it didn't just list the "Tow Prep Package [7] (V6 models only) with 3500-lb. towing capacity – includes upgraded radiator, fan coupling, and alternator" ?
I did a quick search and found several references to your question. Evident;y toyota doesn't provide wiring for towing, that's something the deal has to install. here's one: I can only attest to pulling my 2500lb boat & trlr which is does with ease, to include braking without trailer brakes, which is my only concern in wet weather or less than ideal conditions. The 3500lb tow rating is only with a tow prep equipped V6, some folks don't realize that and just plan on adding a 3500lb receiver. Another thing they don't know is the tow prep doesn't include any wiring to the rear of the vehicle, the tow wiring harness must be added by the dealer or use an aftermarket kit. I would highly recommend that you get the OEM 3500lb hitch, it has 17 bolts to connect it to the sub frame, aftermarket hitches only use 4 which would work fine for towing a utility trailer or a hitch mounted bike haul, but to tow any significant weight, the unibody needs more surface attachment to spread the load over more sheet metal since the Rav4 has no real frame. Another one: Hi I had a look at the owners manual and on page 344 there is a yellow caution box that states, if the total trailer weight exceeds 600 lb than trailer brakes are required. I can tell you this around here any boat trailer that has a 2000 lb cargo weight does not come with trailer brakes. This is very disappointing. Can you believe there is actually a RAV4 forum? here they discuss the harness: http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3730 LOL,. evidently they have a pretty good sense of humor: http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13518 Last edited by sammyg2; 12-05-2007 at 07:50 PM.. |
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12-05-2007, 07:45 PM
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Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
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Another good one, the guy asks what he needs to do to his RAV4 to beat a hemi-powered jeep cherokee in a drag race:
http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13500 In an other thread a guy tells that he noticed when he does oil changes he only gets out 4 quarts but has to put in 6 quarts and wants to know why. Evidently he doesn't know what a dip stick is for 
Last edited by sammyg2; 12-05-2007 at 08:03 PM.. |
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12-05-2007, 07:55 PM
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Super Moderator
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...in some trucks they "hide" it under the carpet, access panel, or even in the taillight housing...
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Chris ---------------------------------------------- 1996 993 RS Replica 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R 1971 Norton 750 Commando Alcon Brake Kits |
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12-05-2007, 08:30 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
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After I posted here I did some internet searching and found out some of what is being said here. I'll have to look but from what others say there is a pigtail/connector in the drivers side rear compartment. That is where the additional trailer harness plugs in. I have to see if the dealer has this plug in harness or can it be ordered. Specifically my window sticker states: Option TO
Towing prep pachage- V6 3500lb. towing capacity- includes upgrade radiator,fan coupling,alternator and pre-wiring.............................thanks guys.
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-06-2007, 01:39 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
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Here's the latest on this. I called the dealer the next day to try and get this cleared up. It was obvious they didn't have the answer BUT they were willing to get the answer. The "accessories manager " called someone at Toyota and learned that on my vehicle there IS a factory harness as part of the tow package but it terminates in the left rear quarter panel. There is a access panel in the rear cargo area, pop that open and your looking at a factory wiring loom with a white connector. They also learned that an additional harness has to be ordered/installed at that location that extends the wiring down to the hitch area and this includes the standard 4 pin connector. So my dealer ordered the part,had it overnighted ( no charge ) and they are installing it along with the hitch next Saturday. I'm happy.
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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12-08-2007, 02:38 AM
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1970 Porsche 911 S 
