CURT 13524 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver, Select Toyota RAV4, Black

I have a 2002 Toyota Rav 4-its a perfect fit. I believe it was already mentioned: when removing the original latch pieces, make sure you do it carefully so as not to damage the hole threads. Spray some WD40 before removal of old bolts (let it sit for 5 minutes), and then spray after removal to clean out the hole and lubricate. Then you are ready to attach the receiver. Get a milk crate or something tall enough to hold one end of the receiver while you bolt the other end. Follow the torque requirements when tightening the bolts. My only gripe is that you would need a ball that steps up at least 2-3 inches to keep the trailer level. This means that you cannot open the back door since the ball attachment is in the way. It's more of the design of the old Rav 4. (low clearance of floor. Otherwise this is a good investment.

A very good looking and excellent quality hitch at a great price. I even got a $5 discount at the time! Fairly easy and fast installation for one person if you have a box or something to set it on while attaching it to the vehicle frame. I happened to have a heavy-duty step stool at exactly the right height, so I got lucky. Otherwise, it's typically too heavy and awkward for one person to hold while attaching. The biggest hurdle was installing one of the bolts in the confined spacing of the tailpipe, as posted by other buyers. Same issue. Impossible to use a ratchet for that bolt, so it was time consuming and tedious to use an open-end or boxed-end wrench. But that's a Toyota design issue, not a Curt design problem.

Absolutely perfect fit! The quality of construction and fitment is impressive - especially since I purchased this unit from Amazon's Warehouse Deals at a substantial savings. I was worried about the possibility of the fine-thread metric bolts not being in the package (M12 X 1.25 X 50mm), but everything was in the package, including the instruction sheet. The box was a little torn up, but given the weight and the awkward configuration of the receiver, I wasn't surprised - and there wasn't a scratch on it, in spite of the damaged packaging! I had prepped the threads on the vehicle, so installation was without incident - and with only four bolts needed, it only took about 15 minutes. The rear tailgate on our RAV4 just clears the receiver itself, contrary to the experience of other reviewers. Black and shiny, and tucked out of the way, it looks like an OEM part of the vehicle. Granted, that one bolt location that is blocked by the tailpipe can be a pain, but a short board levered it out of the way to allow access with the ratchet extension. The wire harness I used was by the same manufacturer, and installed easily - I'll be looking for more Curt products in the future...

With the exception of one stuck original bolt installation on my Rav4 was a breeze. So far I've towed over 600 miles with it and my 300lb utility trailer with loads ranging from 100-1100lbs (1100lbs confirmed at my local scrap yard with a load of steel). The only complaint I have has nothing to do with this hitch and everything to do with installing a hitch on a little SUV like this, it's noisy especially with an empty trailer. There's basically no sound deadening in my cargo area so it acts like a big speaker box amplifying hitch noise that I can hear at all when towing with my dually. Definately louder than towing with my other SUV, a Ford Expedition. Get past that and hauling light things (Rav4 is rated at 1500lbs max) like row boats and utility trailers is great, for example since getting this my dually has largely been parked when I got to Home Depot etc, just hook up the little trailer and enjoy double the MPG. Side benefit is it makes a great attachment point for a tow rope or chain.

Installed this on my wife's 2001 Rav4 about six months back. Seems very solid, heavy-duty, good appearance, good welds, durable finish. Went on easily with no problems and works great! We're using this with a Curt 45036 ball-mount (height matches our trailer) and Hopkins 43465 connector (fits our year Rav4). Remember to measure the height of your trailer when choosing a ball-mount; see the Curt Manufacturing web site for instructions on choosing the correct ball height to make your trailer ride level and distribute the load properly. When installing the wiring harness, I suggest a 4' piece of 0.75..1mm / 0.030..0.039" music wire from the local hobby store with the ends bent into hooks, plus duct tape to make a tapered shape for fishing the wiring harness through the frame, plus silicone seal to keep the water out of the frame. There are two things I don't like: 1. The ball-mount makes a clunking sound when it shifts back and forth in the receiver tube during driving. I expect this happens for all two-piece hitches. A bit alarming at first but there doesn't seem to be any damage, so not a real problem. I've cut a piece of tough plastic as cushioning to slip in on each side which helps a bit. I'd put in wedges but don't want to jam the ball-mount in permanently! 2. Minor nuisance: the door seal hits the ball receiver when opening the rear door, which is a good reason to take out and stow the ball-mount (fits in the compartment under the back mat) when not in use. Overall, works great and I'd recommend it.

Sadly this is a very well made hitch. But if it doesn’t fit it doesn’t fit. I didn’t notice a number of other reviews commenting on the same thing. Frame bolts are 38 1/2” apart. The hitch barely measured 37 1/2”. I had no choice but to return it. Make note of these measurements if you’re buying a hitch for your ‘99-05 RAV4. CURT probably isn’t your answer.

Super easy to install, very strong and made with quality metal and paint. Highly recommend.

Phoned manufacturers plant and asked them to see if the dog ate my order. They were kind of disconnected sounding on phone like I called the wrong plant, which I did not in fact I knew who eould be building it because they have a web site that showcases fabricators and painters, anyhow told them to giddyup cause summers coming and it showed up 5 days later after 7 delay notices. im a girl and this tow hitch went in in like a half hour and that's really satisfying. The site was not recommending I tow anything very far at the rating the hitch has...4000lb as it went on a Rav 4. I'm just needing it to get the boats launched and pulled out in the yard. And maybe get axlittle trailer to find rocks and gravel to drag homes not a cross country roll about,, adventure. They think I'm nuts, hah. Nice tow hitch though, like really top drawer, go big or stay home nice so well made I can't say enough thanks and love you lots. I could use it for bumper shining next winter!

Everything worked as advertised. Easy to install. Bolt holes in the exact spots and it looks great. 5 stars.

Well built. Great welds, solid steel structure. Also a great powder coat job (i believe it's powder coated). I had a little trouble putting in the last mounting bolt on my 2003 Rav4 as the hole was just a bee's d!ck out of alignment. However, got all the bolts in almost effortless. Definitely take the time to clean the welded nuts on your car or truck! Use a steel bristle pipe cleaner and put it in a drill. Works wonders for cleaning out rust. Don't forget anti seize for afterwards! Highly recommend this hitch!

Exactly as advertised. Bolted up perfectly to our 1997 Toyota Rav 4. Papers indicated that this one fits 1996-2005 Rav 4's. A word of caution though, the age of our vehicle made the welded nuts useless (too rusted and damaged) so you will have to replace with your own nuts and bolts and this is no easy task. Receiver appears to be great quality.