Most RAV4 owners hear one number, usually 3,500 lb, and assume it applies to their vehicle. It applies only to gas RAV4s that have the factory towing package. Without it the rating is 1,500 lb, the Prime has its own rating, and the hybrid is the one configuration where the manuals we pulled give no number at all. This guide lists each rating we could verify and flags the one we could not.
Where these numbers come from. The "GCWR and TWR" tables in Toyota's owner's manuals for the 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025 RAV4 and the 2022 and 2024 RAV4 Prime. TWR is the trailer weight rating: the most the loaded trailer may weigh. GCWR is the most the vehicle and trailer may weigh together. The 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025 gas tables are identical. We did not pull the 2017, 2020, 2023 or 2026 manuals.
RAV4 Gas, 2019–2025 (Fifth Generation)
| CONFIGURATION | TOWING (TWR) | GCWR |
|---|---|---|
| Without towing package, without Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 1,500 lb | 6,110 lb |
| Without towing package, with Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD | 1,500 lb | 6,205 lb |
| With towing package | 3,500 lb | 8,205 lb |
Unbraked trailers: 1,000 lb. With the towing package, the manuals require a sway control device above 2,000 lb and recommend a trailer with two or more axles above 3,000 lb.
RAV4 Gas, 2013–2018 (Fourth Generation)
| YEAR | CONFIGURATION | DRIVE | TOWING (TWR) | GCWR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | All grades | 2WD | 1,500 lb | 5,985 lb |
| 2013 | All grades | AWD | 1,500 lb | 6,100 lb |
| 2016 | All grades | 2WD | 1,500 lb | 6,025 lb |
| 2016 | All grades | AWD | 1,500 lb | 6,140 lb |
| 2018 | Without towing package | 2WD | 1,500 lb | 6,025 lb |
| 2018 | Without towing package | AWD | 1,500 lb | 6,140 lb |
| 2018 | With towing package | 2WD | 2,900 lb | 7,425 lb |
| 2018 | With towing package | AWD | 3,500 lb | 8,140 lb |
SE grade: the 2016 and 2018 manuals say Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with the SE. Unbraked trailer limit in all of these manuals is 1,000 lb.
RAV4 Prime (2021–2025)
The 2022 and 2024 manuals rate the Prime at 2,500 lb with a GCWR of 8,030 lb and a 1,000 lb unbraked limit. We did not read the 2021 manual's tables in detail, so we are not confirming the 2021 rating separately.
RAV4 Hybrid: the Missing Rating
The manuals we pulled for the gas and Prime RAV4 carry towing tables; none of them includes a hybrid row, and we could not get the 2026 manual. Owners and some dealer pages commonly cite 1,750 lb for the hybrid. We treat that as unverified. One dealer page we checked quoted 1,750 lb for a gas RAV4, which contradicts the manual's 1,500 lb and 3,500 lb figures, so dealer pages are not a safe source. Look at the label on your driver's door jamb, or the towing section of your own manual, before you hook up.
The Numbers That Actually Limit You
- Tongue weight: Toyota specifies 9% to 11% of the trailer's weight on the hitch. A 3,000 lb trailer puts 270–330 lb on the rear of a vehicle that already has people and cargo in it.
- GCWR: with the towing package the gas RAV4's GCWR is 8,205 lb. Add up the vehicle, passengers, cargo and trailer; the trailer rating alone is not the limit.
- Trailer brakes: required above 1,000 lb. Plan for an aftermarket brake controller.
- Fuel economy: one owner reports about 20 mpg with a 2,000 lb trailer on a hybrid. It is one report, but expect a large drop.
- Maintenance: towing puts you on Toyota's special operating conditions schedule. See our RAV4 maintenance schedule.
Links below are affiliate links: toyotadata earns a commission from VEVOR and, as an Amazon Associate, from qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you.
| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
|---|---|---|
| Class III receiver hitch made for your RAV4 year and trim | Receivers are fitment-specific. Match the vehicle year, and check it is rated for your trailer's tongue weight | Shop on Amazon |
| RAV4 trailer wiring harness (4-pin or 7-pin) | Also fitment-specific. Needed for lights and brakes. Prime owners report using a 7-pin kit | Shop on Amazon |
| Tekonsha Primus IQ proportional brake controller | Trailers over the 1,000 lb unbraked limit. Wiring harness sold separately | Shop on Amazon |
| REDARC Tow-Pro Liberty brake controller | Alternative controller that RAV4 Prime owners report installing | Shop on Amazon |
| LED trailer light kit, 10 to 30 V | Replacement or utility trailer lighting, tested before every trip | Shop at VEVOR |
| Trailer hitch lock kit, fits 1-7/8, 2 and 2-5/16 in couplers | Locks the coupler at a campsite or parking lot | Shop at VEVOR |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a Toyota RAV4 tow?
1,500 lb without the factory towing package and 3,500 lb with it on 2019–2025 gas models, per Toyota's owner's manuals. The Prime is rated 2,500 lb.
How much can a RAV4 Hybrid tow?
We did not find a hybrid rating in the manuals we pulled. Owners commonly cite 1,750 lb; check the door-jamb label before relying on it.
Does every RAV4 have the towing package?
No. It is a factory option, and the rating drops to 1,500 lb without it.
How much can a RAV4 tow without trailer brakes?
1,000 lb in every manual we read.
Can a RAV4 SE tow?
The 2016 and 2018 manuals say Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with the SE grade.
Related RAV4 Guides
- Toyota RAV4 MPG by Year: Gas, Hybrid and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Recall Tracker: Every Recall 2013–2026
- Toyota RAV4 Tire Size by Year and Trim (2013–2025)
- Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
- RAV4 Prime Cost Calculator: Electric vs Gas Per Mile
- Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 TSB Tracker: Bulletins and Known Issues
- Toyota Towing Capacity Chart: Every Truck and SUV
Sources: Toyota RAV4 owner's manuals (2013 OM42809U, 2016 OM42A41U, 2018 OM0R012U, 2019 OM0R009U, 2021 OM0R028U, 2022 OM0R059U, 2024 OM0R147U, 2025 OM0R063U) and RAV4 Prime owner's manuals (2022 OM42E33U, 2024 OM42F73U), "GCWR and TWR" tables.
Keep reading
2026 Toyota RAV4 TSB Tracker: Bulletins and Known Issues
Toyota has filed seven bulletins for 2026 RAV4 problems with NHTSA so far, and one fixes most of the infotainment complaints: T-SB-0050-26 (August 19, 2026) is a head unit software update, version 8612G42397, for the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. It addresses reboots, black screens, an inoperative "Add a device" button, wireless Android Auto failing after remote start, and more, and it is covered by the 36-month/36,000-mile Basic Warranty. The other six are tech tips on CarPlay and audio dropouts (T-TT-0803-26), distance to empty (T-TT-0800-26), a Prime that won't charge (T-TT-0801-26), remote start (T-TT-0798-26), battery state of health (T-TT-0806-26) and a check engine code under investigation (T-TT-0810-26). There are two 2026 recalls and no bulletin yet for the sunglass holder, moonroof rattle or data module complaints owners post about.
Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
The 2019 and 2020 RAV4 have the most documented problems: NHTSA lists recalls for engine casting porosity, front lower control arms, power steering assist loss and fuel pumps on those years. 2019 and newer gas RAV4s are named in a December 2025 lawsuit over the 8-speed automatic transmission; the claims are unproven and Toyota has not recalled it. Hybrids and Primes have a repeated 12V battery drain complaint (Toyota issued a service bulletin for the 2021 Prime), and 2019–2022 hybrids have the rear power cable corrosion that Toyota Canada covered with an extended warranty. 2013–2018 gas RAV4s have a short recall list, mostly labels.
Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
NHTSA's complaint database holds 880 complaints for the 2019 RAV4 and 635 for the 2020, against 90 to 333 for most other years. The 2019 spike is led by fuel and propulsion system (255) and engine (206) complaints, which line up with the fuel pump and engine casting recalls. The 2021 year is led by air bags (125), matching the occupant sensor and steering column recalls. 2023 to 2025 complaints run 90 to 176 a year, led by electrical system, engine and steering. The 2026 RAV4 has no NHTSA complaints on file yet. Its recalls are a load label and a Prime motor generator ECU update.
Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
Toyota's gas RAV4 schedule (2025 model) lists service every 5,000 miles or six months. Engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles, engine and cabin air filters every 30,000 miles, spark plugs at 120,000 miles, and engine coolant at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Automatic transmission fluid is inspected at 30,000-mile intervals and replaced early only under severe conditions. Towing, dusty roads and short winter trips put you on the severe schedule: oil every 5,000 miles. The Prime follows its own schedule, with oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months.