Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

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Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby dkitt4jc » Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:30 pm

I need to get a trailer hitch, wiring harness, and ball mount installed on my 2016 RAV4, but I'm undecided on where to go for this. I know my local Toyota dealership will do it (and I've been very pleased with their service to date), but they are considerably more expensive than other places. There is a Uhaul near to me that will do it for what I feel is a reasonable price, but the reviews I've read don't leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I could also go to an independent Auto shop, but because my Toyota is relatively new and under warranty maybe it would be best just to have the dealership do it.

I'm looking for feedback on what others here have done. Is Uhaul reliable or would it be best just to take it back to the dealership? I appreciate any help at all.

Thanks,
Don
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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby Trevor57 » Tue Jul 18, 2017 3:00 pm

Get the parts you will need, and do it yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qosx4kFusks there is a how to video. That is one of the easiest installs I have seen, and should be very easy to do.
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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby Padilen » Tue Jul 18, 2017 4:55 pm

As stated if capable do it yourself. If not I do business were I'm comfortable. For instance Safelite, auto glass will not get my business. I needed a rear window replaced. Basically every "fact" they told me was a lie. Including my appointment date and time. I was happy to leave and do my business elsewhere. And how did I pick another installer. I went to local dealership bodyshop that I trusted. I asked service manager who he'd use for himself. He gave me a recommendation. He actual called him for me- i was a little upset, at the time.The installer came to my house. Uses OEM glass, which was cheaper too. The installer refuses to use other glass unless OEM isn't available. At Safelite I was paying extra to have OEM. So if you trust the dealer it's worth more than the money difference to me.

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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby GuitarPhotog » Tue Jul 18, 2017 4:59 pm

I had a local hitch installer put the hitch in my Subaru Forester. They ran the hot wire from the battery to the 7-pin connector over the top of the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter heat melted the insulation, it shorted out, blew the fuse in the car, and started an electrical fire in the trailer.

I don't necessarily trust "the local specialist" anymore.

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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby QueticoBill » Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:42 pm

I installed a tow bar on my RAV4 and could it have been easier. 7 bolts.

Wiringb harness was a little harder - new hot to battery terminal - but only an hour and a half. About $175 all in.

PS opps - 5 bolts, not 7.
Last edited by QueticoBill on Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby Dwight DeRooy » Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:31 pm

I put a hitch on my 2014 Rav4 last fall. It installed with four bolts and required flipping a hanger bracket on the exhaust. Easiest thing I've done on a car in years.
The wiring is another matter, but once you have accessed the wiring through the rear interior panels and floor, it's all plug and play. Run the power wire to your battery and your done.
Uhaul wanted over $320.00 for the materials and installation. I did it all for just over $100.00 and two hours of my time.
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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby kramergwt » Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:05 pm

When I was looking to equip our Honda Accord with a hitch (I chose Hidden Hitch) I got it from eTrailer. It arrived in a few days, and I installed it in about an hour. We pulled a load of stuff on the teardrop trailer with floor only from Connecticut to Austin, Texas without any problems a week or 2 later. eTrailer usually has an installation video so you don't have any guesswork to worry about. I would not go through a dealer for this. It will cost you 3 times as much than if you did it yourself.

Just my $0.02


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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby Padilen » Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:47 am

I'm a do it myself but I usually use OEM components. And I have found that OEM on eBay is usually a dealers "store". But if I order from dealer they match eBay or even an extra 10% & no shipping charges. I do have to pick it up, that's about 20 miles.

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Re: Best Place for Hitch Installation (Toyota RAV4)

Postby dkitt4jc » Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:35 pm

Thank you all for your comments. Unfortunately, I'm not able to do it myself, so I've got some thinking to do.
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