i have 2016 rav4 xle awd the manual is telling me i can only pull 1500lb but when you look at a 2018 rav4 adventure they can pull 3500lb same motor same transmission what is the different? also if you look for spec. on a rav4 Australian or european version they can pull 3800 again same motor same transmission, Am i save pulling a 2400lb tent trailer without adding a transmission cooler or bigger engine cooler
Go by by your owner's manual. The 2016 Rav4 may have something structural that's different from the 2018 and causes the towing difference. The car won't break right away if someone towed 1501 pounds, the vehicle body needs to be able to handle the acceleration and deceleration forces at maximum weight, which are much larger than the static weight but don't exceed it anyways. It's not safe.
2,000 pounds seems to be a pretty large difference for something if it's a structural change. I would think the modification would be noticeable. Double check that you read the towing capacity, not the weight capacity of the vehicle itself.
The 3500lb vs the 1500lb difference in the Rav4 v6 for the previous generation was that the 3500lb package included a larger radiator and a higher capacity alternator.
May be the same for your generation
I would not tow 2400lbs with yours and certainly not long distance. There could also be issues with tongue weight capacity
