Rav 4 Hitch Drop

stevel

A friend just got a 2012 320RS she drives a 2019 Rav 4 Adventure. She is going to go and have a hitch installed in the next day or two, does anyone know how big of a hitch drop she should get? Guy from Uhaul wasn't familiar with a Tab and said he would have to see it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

VictoriaP

https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-accessories/ball-mounts/learn-more

Basically, you need to know both the hitch height “A” and the trailer tongue height “B” to calculate rise or drop “C”. My understanding is that for a non-Outback/Boondock model like your friend’s, the “B” from the equation in that link is 14”. But I would double check that by leveling the trailer and taking an actual measurement. 

She also needs to be aware that “A” can change depending on how much gear she carries in the cargo area of the RAV4. (Mine dropped over half an inch just by swapping a donut spare for a full size tire on an OEM wheel.) This can end up putting the trailer off level if it wasn’t previously accounted for.

YanniLazarus

I have a 2020 320S and a 2018 RAV4 adventure.   I started with a 4"... more info to follow- I'll go check. 

YanniLazarus

@YanniLazarus  - Photos removed due to size.  https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/47/what-size-should-my-posted-forum-photos-be#latest

YanniLazarus

So,  I have a U- haul towbar, not a factory one,  but I don't know that that matters. I had a 4" drop for a few months but switched to this one,  which has my T@B closer to level. 

FrB

I too have a U-haul towbar on my 2012 Rav4, V-6.  The level ground to receiver top is just a little over 13 inches.  The level-ground to top of ball socket on the trailer tongue is also 13 inches, so things are pretty leve, even with a load in the TV..  My 320 S tows great...no swaying.  I do wish I had a bit more ground clearance, but that's the situation I have.  Just always extra cautious driving through any dips, etc.