# Why can’t I tow with my 2017 Toyota RAV4? **URL:** \ **Category:** Auto Type/Class\ **Tags:** rav4, toyota\ **Created:** [October 6, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286 "2018-10-06T20:59:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JimSimpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@JimSimpson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JimSimpson)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/1 "2018-10-06T20:59:35Z")
why is it the Toyota Rav4 SE has zero towing capability ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/2 "2018-10-06T21:07:26Z")
Because it is a small wanna-be SUV based on a small economy car. ---
**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/4 "2018-10-06T21:19:57Z")
From the owners manual page 176: “For vehicles with SE grade: Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.” page 181: “For vehicles with SE grade Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.” @JimSimpson if you wanted to tow you should’ve purchased the higher trim level ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/5 "2018-10-08T18:42:51Z")
Do you want to tow a small trailer occasionally? Or do you just want to install a tow hitch, so that you can install a bike carrier? If it’s the latter, I wouldn’t hesitate to install an aftermarket hitch ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/6 "2018-10-08T19:00:41Z")
The SE doesn’t come with the Tow-Prep package. The biggest part of this package is the added trans cooler. You can add that yourself or have it done. That’ll bring the towing up to 1500lbs ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/7 "2018-10-08T19:18:11Z")
We have the XLE, manual says 1500 lbs towing capacity. I am not sure if it has a trans fluid cooler. Have to rotate the tires every 5000 miles, Full size spare If we had to use it I am not sure how that affects things, as it will not be as worn as existing tires in use. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-can-t-i-tow-with-my-2017-toyota-rav4/126286/8 "2018-10-08T19:21:30Z")
Just to clarify… All the models of the Rav4 that have automatic transmissions come with a trans cooler. But it’s not big enough. So the towing package comes with an added larger trans cooler.