I'm disappointed in Toyota (North America). 😡 🤬
I was looking into being a little more prepared with adding a tow strap and associated hardware to carry.
When looking into towing hook/tie-in locations, it turns out Toyota ripped us off.
There appears to be NO front towing hooks, or tie-in locations like Japan Rav4's. Those have a tow hook/rod that bolts through the front bumper cowl/cover, into the frame. Which leaves us SOFL.
For a "Plan B", Where on these "North American" vehicles can we safely use a "recovery" method (not towing) with tow straps?
I'm not interested in drilling into the frame to make a home made system, and I don't trust using the front cross member (likely for the radiator mounting) for pulling.
Do you know of any other recommended ways to fasten a tow strap? Am I still SOFL?
Thanks!
JDE
did you look where the spare tire is? didn't they include the eye bolt that you screw in?
Those only come with the Japan models. Not the North American (Includes Canada) models.
There will be holes/doors in the front to gain access to the mounting locations in the frame.
My vehicle doesn't come with the hook, or access to where the mounting points should be. 🙁
That's useful information, but my kit only comes with Items D & E. I checked a couple of hours ago.
That's really dumb. Do they at least sell some accessory?
It's the same with not providing spare tires too. They're cutting corners at every opportunity, including your safety now I guess. Oh well at least the doors aren't coming off mid driving.
I totally agree. On the bright side, they did include a spare... 😆
Oh... Not related, but they also charge a subscription fee if you want to use your "autostart" keyfob.
I just threw my autostart keyfobs in the drawer...
So I haven't found any form of aftermarket or OEM accessories that are directly compatible with the N.A. model that I have.
I think that it crosses different RAV4's, at least from 2021(or possibly 2019) and later.
Maybe this will help, hopefully yours has these hidden recovery points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5-TcaoCtLE
Thank you, but unfortunately, These tow points are only available on Japan made vehicles.
To my knowledge, they are not available to "North America" (US/Canada).
Toyota in their limited wisdom, eliminated them and did not include alternative tow points. ❗
well they didn't give you an eyelet, but did you look to see if that cover is there? Maybe the mount point is still there.
There are NO covers and NO grill parts to remove or open in the front cowl area.
When the weather improves, I'll look to see if the any of the actual metal in the frame is there or not. I'm not expecting to see anything.
In my search on the net, there was one individual that showed that the location that it should be in, was missing the threaded support structure that is on the Japan made vehicles.
Either the same person or a different one ended up modding and drilling holes in the frame. He installed a pre-made set of brackets in the same area as they should be in. If you live in areas in the US that doesn't need road salt to melt ice, then drilling holes in the frame is not a problem.