Tow Hitch Wiring Guide

kevvan · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 42 2006 RAV4 Limited

RAV4's, even with the tow package, do not come with a wiring harness installed - at least at the time of this writing. I purchased a Toyota harness and installed it recently. I know that many more will do the same. I took notes for those who will follow in my path. There are pictures of each panel and the clips that hold them in. There is also some tips and suggestions.

The download is 20 Meg and is a word document. You can get your's here:

www.brandhollow.com/rav_wiring_harness.doc

Note: This guide was converted to HTML and posted to the web as an alternate means. Scroll down and check the later post for an HTML link.

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RedRav · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 23 2006 Rav4 Sport, V6

A wonderful document, It's terrific people take the time to do this. I went through the Toyo instructions last night and had most of the panels off (except the main rear one) and saw that all was OK except I didn't have a clue what connector they were talking about on the junction box. Your photo is crystal clear, I didn't even have to go out to the truck. I've ordered the drawtite T-adapter & converter but may go w/ the Toyo after I see the build quality.

Any way to confirm that the single connector w/ the female under the dash is for power? I haven't found mine yet but even w/ the drawtite, I'll need to get to power and would rather use the factory 30A fuse provided instead of the in-line drawtite supplies. I do have the tow prep (not) package.

Thanks again, nice job

RedRav's rule (ours is a Sport, 4 days new)

davidtr4 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 45 Location: Riverside RAV4 4WD

kevvan, thank you very much for your guide. I think this should be a sticky.

Although I am not quite ready, I have been "worrying" whether I could do it myself. With your guide I'm pretty sure I can.

Thanks Again

ne14mx · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 13

Kevvan thanx so much. I used your excellent description along with the Toyota instructions provided by another member here. While it did take me 3 hours because I went slow and refered to these references often, I'm all set. Thanks again.

bradandkathy · Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 1 Location: NH RAV4 Limited

Kevan, more thanks to you. This is my first post and I wanted to say thanks for the invaluable help your instructions provided. The installation with just the factory instructions alone would have been much more difficult and time consuming. Now I can get my boat hooked up!

kevvan · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 42 2006 RAV4 Limited

I'm happy that the guide has been useful.

I know the word document download originally posted has been a bit challenging for some. I converted it to an HTML document and it can be viewed on the web now. It should be easier to preview at least.

Here is the link:
Link

The other document is still in place for download and printing...
http://www.brandhollow.com/rav_wiring_harness.doc

JIMD4 · Posted: June 10, 2006, 6:59 am Post subject:

This site says they have Modulite. It looks much simpler and cheaper than Toyota harness at all assuming you use not more than 10 amps and tie into the rear power adapter socked for 12v.

tblaum · Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Virginia RAV4

Kevvan thanks for the excellent write up on the installation process. I just completed mine in about 2 hours and everything went a lot easier after reading your post.

The most difficult part of the installation for me was making sure I put the aux power pin into the right hole. I know what a bitch it is to get out if it's in the wrong one. Other than that everything went pretty easy, glad I did it myself instead of shelling out the money to the dealer.

Also I recommend the OEM harness, I was going to go with the aftermarket t-con but since it wasn't available until July I went ahead and shelled out the extra coin. After installing it I'm glad I went that way instead in case there are any problems in the future.

If anyone needs help with this installation in the Tidewater area I'd be happy to assist, probably could do it closer to an hour now.

Again thanks to everyone who has posted on this subject it really was a big help.

Tim

kevvan · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 42 2006 RAV4 Limited

Thought I'd post a quick update and let everyone know that I've towed my trailers several times and everything has worked like it's supposed to.

I debated about taking the time to write the guide as it added to the process but I see that many have made good use of it and I'm glad that it has been helpful.

-- Kevvan

friendly_jacek · Posted: September 21, 2006, 6:15 am Post subject:

This was an excellent guide. People like you make this forum very special. It should be a sticky thread as people keep asking about wireing RAV4.

RAVMAN · Posted: September 21, 2006, 2:11 pm Post subject:

jamesl860 · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 7 Location: california rav 4

i have 2006 rav 4 v6 sport. Is it possible to install a tow prep package on to my car.

John E Davies · Posted: July 29, 2007, 5:23 pm Post subject:

Hey Kevvan!

Thanks so much for taking the time to write up that excellent article. It really helped with my wiring install.

Here are a couple of pics you might want to cut and paste into your article - they show the location of the "A5" Trailer Socket (with white wire) that is so durned hard to find (it took me 45 minutes to locate - it is acutally lower down by the relay box)

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Please click image for fullsize

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Please click image for fullsize

Since you did such a great job on your report I didn't see any need to write another one, but I will soon post a Toyota hitch install report and later a report on installing a Tekonsha P3 brake controller and associated wires.

This forum is a great resource for owners! Thank you again.
_________________
John E Davies
Spokane WA USA

drewrav · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 1 2006 V6/Limited/4WD

I just wanted to say thanks for such a great document. Without it I don't think I could have completed this project with just the Toyota instructions only. Your tips were invaluable, and saved me a lot of mis-steps.

For the most part everything went along fine, although connecting the wire harness to the dashboard did take me a while. Your photos though helped me figure out what plug I needed.

Then I had to work out how to pull out the plug in question given the limited access (right hand room only) and bad leverage position from underneath the dash. I ended up using a long thin flat-bladed screw driver with my left hand to nudge under the plastic rim of the block connector, and using my right thumb to press up on the plastic release latch. Once I figured that out, it went fairly quick.

I got one of those flat-4 harness testers, and everything seemed to work great!! So thanks again for the document. You saved me a lot of time and money!!

For the buying the harness, the dealer (in California) was quoting $181, and online I found the MSRP on it at $140. So I did some more digging, and found a wonderful online dealer (Toyota World) out in Texas who was selling them for $105 and $10 shipping. It only took around 5 or 6 days for it to arrive. Their link was:

Link

Ravving69 · Posted: October 3, 2007, 4:31 pm Post subject:

I just bought the OEM trailer harness and it fits like a glove. I am very happy I went with it over an aftermarket T-harness that would require a line to the battery. My hat is off to Kevvan for the instructions and pictures. Without it and this forum, I would never have been able to figure out the connections under the dash.