A light blue metallic Toyota RAV4 tows a camper — Bruce W Smith via iStock

How Much Can Your Toyota RAV4 Tow? Use This Handy Chart Going Back 25 Years

The RAV4 isn’t designed to replace a pickup, but with the right trim it can do far more than haul groceries.

by Sarah Kennedy

Published on October 20, 2025 9:01 am

3 min read

For most of its life, Toyota engineered the RAV4 as a light-duty hauler. The automaker tended to keep ratings conservative unless it explicitly added cooling or a different drivetrain.

That means the safe answer for a large chunk of years is one simple figure: 1,500 lbs. But there are exceptions. Below I lay out the factory-rated numbers year by year and call out the trims or powertrains that change the math.

First, the most important caveats: these RAV4 towing figures are factory ratings that assume the correct hitch, wiring and (when listed) extra cooling or towing packages. Payload, tongue weight and vehicle condition matter just as much as the sticker number. I used manufacturer specs, longstanding industry databases (like Edmunds), and dealer spec pages to build the table below.

In any case, please check your VIN or owner’s manual against the right baseline.

25-Year Tow Chart: Toyota RAV4 (2001–2025)

(Factory-rated maximum towing capacity, U.S. figures. “Properly equipped” denotes required tow package/cooling or specific AWD system.)

Year	Trim/Powertrain (if variant)	Max Tow Capacity
2001	All trims (standard 4-cyl)	1,500 lb.
2002	All trims	1,500 lb.
2003	All trims	1,500 lb.
2004	All trims	1,500 lb.
2005	All trims	1,500 lb.
2006	4-cyl: 1,500 lb; V6 models (when equipped) : 3,500 lb.
2007	4-cyl: 1,500 lb; V6: 3,500 lb.
2008	4-cyl: 1,500 lb; V6: 3,500 lb.
2009	All trims (post-V6 phase-out in some markets): 1,500 lb.
2010	All trims	1,500 lb.
2011	All trims	1,500 lb.
2012	All trims	1,500 lb.
2013	All trims	1,500 lb.
2014	All trims	1,500 lb.
2015	All trims	1,500 lb.
2016	All trims	1,500 lb.
2017	All trims	1,500 lb.
2018	All trims	1,500 lb.
2019	Standard trims: 1,500 lb; Adventure/XSE when properly equipped often shown to 3,500 lb by dealers (check owner’s manual).
2020	Standard trims: 1,500 lb; some AWD/tow-package listings at dealers reference up to 3,500 lb (properly equipped).
2021	Standard trims: 1,500 lb.
2022	Standard trims: 1,500 lb; Adventure/TRD/AWD variants up to 3,500 lb when properly equipped (Toyota/dealer materials and spec pages).
2023	Standard trims: 1,500 lb; some AWD/tow-ready configs listed by dealers at 3,500 lb (verify manual).
2024	Standard trims: 1,500 lb; Hybrid variants may be rated differently, refer to owner’s manual.
2025	Gas standard: 1,500 lb. Hybrid: 1,750 lb. Plug-in Hybrid (RAV4 PHEV): 2,500 lb (Toyota specs and dealer summaries).

Toyota RAV4 tow capacity patterns

If your RAV4 is pre-2019, the safe assumption is 1,500 lb unless you own one of the V6-equipped mid-2000s models (those were factory-rated to 3,500 lb).

From 2019 onward check for Adventure/TRD or “properly equipped” language; those are the only realistic paths to 3,500 lb in the modern lineup.

For 2025, the hybrid and plug-in powertrains are the only factory routes above 1,500 lb. Confirm on your vehicle’s certification label or owner’s manual for the definitive VIN-level number.

What do these numbers actually mean?

Tow ratings on paper don’t mean much until you translate them into real-world objects. Here’s how those capacities shake out in practical terms:

1,500 pounds (most RAV4s):

You’re safely in small-trailer territory. Think a pair of dirt bikes on a lightweight trailer, a single jet ski, a compact utility trailer, or a small teardrop camper. It’s also roughly what a loaded U-Haul 4×8 cargo trailer weighs. You’ll feel it, but your transmission won’t protest if you drive smart.

1,750 pounds (2025 Hybrid):

That extra 250 pounds opens the door to slightly heavier gear. We’re talking two full-size ATVs, a lightweight aluminum boat with outboard, or a small pop-up camper. It’s a sweet spot for weekend adventurers who want the efficiency of a hybrid but occasionally tow something beyond lawn equipment.

2,500 to 3,500 pounds (V6 and TRD/Adventure trims):

This moves you into serious compact SUV towing territory. You can manage a midsize fiberglass fishing boat, a compact camper, or even a small single-axle enclosed trailer with furniture or motorcycles.

Beyond 3,000 pounds, though, braking distance and cooling management become crucial, so Toyota’s upgraded radiators and transmission coolers on these trims make the difference between “just capable” and “confident.”

The RAV4 isn’t a substitute for a full-size truck, but certain trims can handle tasks well beyond a simple grocery run

If your RAV4 is a gas model without a factory tow package, stay close to that 1,500-pound line.

If you’re driving a newer hybrid or the plug-in Prime, you’ll gain range and a bit of extra muscle.

And if you’re one of the few with a properly equipped Adventure or V6 model, you’ve got a genuine light-duty tow rig.

Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy is the Editor-in-Chief of MotorBiscuit. She joined the team as Managing Editor in 2021 and has more than 20 years of automotive and operations expertise. She held ASE certifications as an Automotive Service Consultant and Parts Specialist and was a licensed car salesperson for many years. Sarah often focuses on helping drivers navigate used car buying and vehicle ownership. She created “Shop Smarts,” a column for MOTOR Magazine, and was a contributor there for eight years. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015. She attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.