Toyota offers a Hitch Receiver although when I received mine it wasn't available yet. I purchased mine from etrailer.com. Easy install, about an hour with a buddy since it weighs about 45 lbs.
Venza Towing, Hitch and Wiring
My local dealer allowed us test a Venza for a day and my family fell in love with it. We had the higlander for the following day as a comparison. The Venza won out for us.
Is there a hitch available for the Venza? We would end using it for bikes and one of those extra cargo trays.
Is there a hitch available for the Venza? We would end using it for bikes and one of those extra cargo trays.
1 - 20 of 245 Posts
Thanks for the reply dlm1942! Your signature says your Venza is equipped with a USB port...can you provide me with the deatils on that?
it is part of a power port charger adapter that I use in the center console. Available at http://www.gadget4all.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00520&dept_id=&cat_id=006
I'm interested in how this handles a small aluminum trailer for home depot runs. I have a GTI and MINI Cooper S right now (will be keeping both), but neither car can tow. My wife and I are thinking of picking up a Venza as our weekend trip/hauler vehicle. I love how luxurious it is and the amazing space that is has.
For light loads, 1000-1500 lbs, i don't think you'll have any problem. If you're pushing the limit (3500 lbs with tow package), get your electrics set up, then practice with the load before you do too much.
The physics folk call it load polarity.
With the Venza at 3900 lbs (according to my registration) the 3500 lb. limit counterbalances at the pivot point (hitch) to equalize weights to maintain control. When my parents and I pulled an Airstream trailer (about 5500lbs) with a large Oldsmobile (about 4200 lbs), an 'equalizer' hitch was used to move the center of mass forward to maintain control, That's still how they operate pull behind (travel) trailers, except the tow vehicles are now larger pickups, vans, etc.
Fifth wheel trailers have different physics not applicable here.
The physics folk call it load polarity.
With the Venza at 3900 lbs (according to my registration) the 3500 lb. limit counterbalances at the pivot point (hitch) to equalize weights to maintain control. When my parents and I pulled an Airstream trailer (about 5500lbs) with a large Oldsmobile (about 4200 lbs), an 'equalizer' hitch was used to move the center of mass forward to maintain control, That's still how they operate pull behind (travel) trailers, except the tow vehicles are now larger pickups, vans, etc.
Fifth wheel trailers have different physics not applicable here.
Did anyone get a Venza with the Tow Prep Package (engine oil cooler, larger radiator fan, and HD altinator)? Without it Toyota says its towing limit is 1000lbs (V6).
I did. It's a cheap addon (relatively speaking) and benefits even when you aren't towing.Did anyone get a Venza with the Tow Prep Package (engine oil cooler, larger radiator fan, and HD alternator)? Without it Toyota says its towing limit is 1000lbs (V6).
Amen.
The heavier duty equipment is appropriate for extremes --weather like Texas, various loading scenarios, etc.
The heavier duty equipment is appropriate for extremes --weather like Texas, various loading scenarios, etc.
I don't believe I have seen a Venza in my area that had the tow option. I am going to put the Tow Prep Package as a must have on my list. Now I am just on the fence in regards to go with the sunroof or not.
I just got a base 4-cyl. Venza in Canada and all Canadian Venza's already come with the towing package:
All models are equipped with a Towing Prep Package to take advantage of Venza's Towing Capacity; 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) on Venza and Venza AWD and 1,587 kg (3,500 lbs) on Venza V6 and Venza V6 AWD. (The hitch is a dealer-installed accessory.)
You can find this extract if you go to the toyota.ca web site and click Venza | Engine | Better performance | Towing Capacity.
I also went to the US site (toyota.com) but I did not find any option for the towing package.
All models are equipped with a Towing Prep Package to take advantage of Venza's Towing Capacity; 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) on Venza and Venza AWD and 1,587 kg (3,500 lbs) on Venza V6 and Venza V6 AWD. (The hitch is a dealer-installed accessory.)
You can find this extract if you go to the toyota.ca web site and click Venza | Engine | Better performance | Towing Capacity.
I also went to the US site (toyota.com) but I did not find any option for the towing package.
Question on the install. I attempted to drop the 2 rear exhaust mounts per directions (FWD V6) and still could not get enough clearance to fish the tow bar mounts above the exaust without the rear of the bar hitting the ground. Did you have to raise the rear of the car, or drop a couple other of the hangers besides the rear 2 to get it in?? Also, I'm not even sure where to jack the rear of the car since I'm used to floor jacking under the rear end?? I may just have it put on.Toyota offers a Hitch Receiver although when I received mine it wasn't available yet. I purchased mine from etrailer.com. Easy install, about an hour with a buddy since it weighs about 45 lbs.
This is on the I4 model but the muffler will be similar in how it's hanged under the car.
Follow the Hitch manufacturer's Instructions with the one exception - detach the exhaust pipe from the hangers just behind the rear wheels in ADDITION to removing the rear hangers up near the rear bumper. NOTE: support the exhaust with blocking so as to minimize stress on the forward exhaust system.
BEFORE you install the hitch, I would recommend that you apply an adhesive plastic strip on the bumper cover where the hitch receiver snugs up to the cover. You can get a small roll of adhesive tape at an auto parts store (like AutoZone). This little feature will minimize or eliminate paint abrasion where the bumper and hitch touch.
Position the hitch under the car using a hydraulic jack (if you don't have one, a 2nd set of hands is a necessity)..... pay special attention on the left (driver's side) of the hitch as you position it to the car frame whereas the muffler exhaust and the hitch cross bar can interfere with each other as you attempt to correctly position the hitch up against the frame rails. Once in position, bolt-in the hitch to the frame rails using the 6 bolts and conical lock washers provided (do not tighten).
The hitch flanges may be a bit sprung (spread out vs a perfect 90 degree angle to the hitch bar). position the flange so you have easy insertion of the bolts. NOTE: DO NOT force the bolts if they are are difficult to turn in - IF they are difficult... move the hitch flange so they turn/tighten with your fingers - this will prevent thread damage/cross threading .
Tighten all bolts (no torque specs provided). Re-install the metal hanger just ahead of the rear bumper NOTE: a universal socket offset will help in tightening the metal hanger bracket bolts. Re-install all rubber hanger mounts.
Now install the wiring:
You need to remove the rear moulding, the Left and Right trays in the storage area. you don't have to remove the spare tire but it will make access easier.... NOTE: the black hold-down tabs are very brittle so ya need to take care in removing them by just pressing the button in the middle and and they should just release.
For access to the tail light wiring:
Remove the rear threshold molding. The rear threshold panel just pops off with first constant pulling pressure.
Partially remove the Left/Right side panels. 1st remove the cargo net hooks.
To remove the cargo hooks - simply press the button in the middle of hook and they will just pop off.
Starting down at the deck near the threshold panel area. pull firmly till the corner pops out and work up to the top of the panel. CAUTION! Be very careful with the panel whereas the plastic is thin and will fracture....
You just need as much of the panel pulled back so as to have access to the tail light wiring and the connectors. The tail light wiring has a connector is attached to the vehicle wiring harness connector. This mated pair is attached to the body frame via a clip. Slide the mated connectors slip off the clip. ROMOVE THIS CLIP - doing this is destructive to the OEM clip and renders it unusable. Undo the mated connector and insert the T-One connector per the instructions provided in the kit. The T-One connector is keyed so it only attaches the correct way. The newly mated tail light and T-One connector has a tab that allows you to re-attach/secure the pair to the body frame where the original OEM clip was attached. As instructed, drill a hole in the body frame and attach ground wire. I used the same panel the left tail light and T-One connector mated pair is attached.
Next: run the wiring across the rear threshold to the right side of vehicle. NOTE: I tucked the wiring into the rear body panel channel rather than leave it loose under the threshold cover). Follow same install procedures as the left side.
Install the wiring from the module to the battery:
Remove the plug at the bottom of the quarter panel well make a hole in the middle and insert about 10-12" of the black wire provided in the kit and reinstall the plug. install/run the black wire to the underside of vehicle making certain that you do not attach to any moving part or near heat sources or any part that could cause abrasion to the wire.
NOTE: there IS NOT a lot of excess wire so make the best possible effort to find the most direct path to the front of the vehicle. Once I cleared the left rear suspension area, I went over the fuel tank and then used the brake lines as an attachment point/path to the front of the vehicle. Once at the firewall area, I found a path up the firewall and over to the battery.
Slip and connect the yellow wire with in-line fuse to the battery terminal. I attached the yellow wire to the bolt on the battery connector - not the part that attaches directly to the battery terminal. I then positioned the wire to fit under the red terminal cover.
Recheck all wiring and connections before you insert the fuse provided in the kit. Tighten all tie wraps and begin reinstallation of panels, and trays.
For now, I left the flat-4 connector and wire loose in the tire well/storage area. I will run the wire and fat-4 connector out and under the vehicle to the hitch. I left the flat-4 connector and wire loose on our 6 RAV and it can cause abrasion to the rear bumper paint or clear paint protector.
SPECIAL NOTE: Is used many tie-wraps along the way because I live in the snow belt and am concerned about ice/slush accumulation and didn't want hanging weight anywhere on the wire under the vehicle.
As you traverse the underside of the vehicle and install the back wire, I left the tie wraps loose so I could adjust the wire as necessary. The few provided in the kit are insufficient for my purpose.
Also, because of my background, I applied heat shrink over all mechanical electrical connections. this, in my experience adds strength to the connections as well as weather proofing.
The T-One kit is a fool-proof kit and hitch are easy to install. Install one and you will be an expert... LOL. Seriously, if you take your time and plan your install with adequate tools/help, it will take about an hour or so..... much longer than the RAV4 I did - only because of the OEM muffler install/configuration.
Final recommendation: with the draw bar attached, notice the bumper saver attachment. I added this to save he bumper cover from potential damage when attaching trailer to the ball.
I apologize for not providing more pics of the hitch itself at this time - I have more on another memory still and will add later.
Good luck!
Bob
Follow the Hitch manufacturer's Instructions with the one exception - detach the exhaust pipe from the hangers just behind the rear wheels in ADDITION to removing the rear hangers up near the rear bumper. NOTE: support the exhaust with blocking so as to minimize stress on the forward exhaust system.
BEFORE you install the hitch, I would recommend that you apply an adhesive plastic strip on the bumper cover where the hitch receiver snugs up to the cover. You can get a small roll of adhesive tape at an auto parts store (like AutoZone). This little feature will minimize or eliminate paint abrasion where the bumper and hitch touch.
Position the hitch under the car using a hydraulic jack (if you don't have one, a 2nd set of hands is a necessity)..... pay special attention on the left (driver's side) of the hitch as you position it to the car frame whereas the muffler exhaust and the hitch cross bar can interfere with each other as you attempt to correctly position the hitch up against the frame rails. Once in position, bolt-in the hitch to the frame rails using the 6 bolts and conical lock washers provided (do not tighten).
The hitch flanges may be a bit sprung (spread out vs a perfect 90 degree angle to the hitch bar). position the flange so you have easy insertion of the bolts. NOTE: DO NOT force the bolts if they are are difficult to turn in - IF they are difficult... move the hitch flange so they turn/tighten with your fingers - this will prevent thread damage/cross threading .
Tighten all bolts (no torque specs provided). Re-install the metal hanger just ahead of the rear bumper NOTE: a universal socket offset will help in tightening the metal hanger bracket bolts. Re-install all rubber hanger mounts.
Now install the wiring:
You need to remove the rear moulding, the Left and Right trays in the storage area. you don't have to remove the spare tire but it will make access easier.... NOTE: the black hold-down tabs are very brittle so ya need to take care in removing them by just pressing the button in the middle and and they should just release.
For access to the tail light wiring:
Remove the rear threshold molding. The rear threshold panel just pops off with first constant pulling pressure.
Partially remove the Left/Right side panels. 1st remove the cargo net hooks.
To remove the cargo hooks - simply press the button in the middle of hook and they will just pop off.
Starting down at the deck near the threshold panel area. pull firmly till the corner pops out and work up to the top of the panel. CAUTION! Be very careful with the panel whereas the plastic is thin and will fracture....
You just need as much of the panel pulled back so as to have access to the tail light wiring and the connectors. The tail light wiring has a connector is attached to the vehicle wiring harness connector. This mated pair is attached to the body frame via a clip. Slide the mated connectors slip off the clip. ROMOVE THIS CLIP - doing this is destructive to the OEM clip and renders it unusable. Undo the mated connector and insert the T-One connector per the instructions provided in the kit. The T-One connector is keyed so it only attaches the correct way. The newly mated tail light and T-One connector has a tab that allows you to re-attach/secure the pair to the body frame where the original OEM clip was attached. As instructed, drill a hole in the body frame and attach ground wire. I used the same panel the left tail light and T-One connector mated pair is attached.
Next: run the wiring across the rear threshold to the right side of vehicle. NOTE: I tucked the wiring into the rear body panel channel rather than leave it loose under the threshold cover). Follow same install procedures as the left side.
Install the wiring from the module to the battery:
Remove the plug at the bottom of the quarter panel well make a hole in the middle and insert about 10-12" of the black wire provided in the kit and reinstall the plug. install/run the black wire to the underside of vehicle making certain that you do not attach to any moving part or near heat sources or any part that could cause abrasion to the wire.
NOTE: there IS NOT a lot of excess wire so make the best possible effort to find the most direct path to the front of the vehicle. Once I cleared the left rear suspension area, I went over the fuel tank and then used the brake lines as an attachment point/path to the front of the vehicle. Once at the firewall area, I found a path up the firewall and over to the battery.
Slip and connect the yellow wire with in-line fuse to the battery terminal. I attached the yellow wire to the bolt on the battery connector - not the part that attaches directly to the battery terminal. I then positioned the wire to fit under the red terminal cover.
Recheck all wiring and connections before you insert the fuse provided in the kit. Tighten all tie wraps and begin reinstallation of panels, and trays.
For now, I left the flat-4 connector and wire loose in the tire well/storage area. I will run the wire and fat-4 connector out and under the vehicle to the hitch. I left the flat-4 connector and wire loose on our 6 RAV and it can cause abrasion to the rear bumper paint or clear paint protector.
SPECIAL NOTE: Is used many tie-wraps along the way because I live in the snow belt and am concerned about ice/slush accumulation and didn't want hanging weight anywhere on the wire under the vehicle.
As you traverse the underside of the vehicle and install the back wire, I left the tie wraps loose so I could adjust the wire as necessary. The few provided in the kit are insufficient for my purpose.
Also, because of my background, I applied heat shrink over all mechanical electrical connections. this, in my experience adds strength to the connections as well as weather proofing.
The T-One kit is a fool-proof kit and hitch are easy to install. Install one and you will be an expert... LOL. Seriously, if you take your time and plan your install with adequate tools/help, it will take about an hour or so..... much longer than the RAV4 I did - only because of the OEM muffler install/configuration.
Final recommendation: with the draw bar attached, notice the bumper saver attachment. I added this to save he bumper cover from potential damage when attaching trailer to the ball.
I apologize for not providing more pics of the hitch itself at this time - I have more on another memory still and will add later.
Good luck!
Bob
More info on the Wiring and hitch install:
Drawtite's T-One Install Instructions with Pics. http://www.draw-tite.com/fitguides/pdf/N118482.pdf
Drawtite's T-One Install Instructions with Pics. http://www.draw-tite.com/fitguides/pdf/N118482.pdf
Excellent detailed post on "how to install" Bob! Much appreciated. The instructions from Curt were not correct on what needed to be removed to get enough clearance as you know. Answered my question...and then some. :thumbsup:More info on the Wiring and hitch install:
Drawtite's T-One Install Instructions with Pics. http://www.draw-tite.com/fitguides/pdf/N118482.pdf
Hi michelw,I just got a base 4-cyl. Venza in Canada and all Canadian Venza's already come with the towing package:
All models are equipped with a Towing Prep Package to take advantage of Venza's Towing Capacity; 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) on Venza and Venza AWD and 1,587 kg (3,500 lbs) on Venza V6 and Venza V6 AWD. (The hitch is a dealer-installed accessory.)
You can find this extract if you go to the toyota.ca web site and click Venza | Engine | Better performance | Towing Capacity.
I also went to the US site (toyota.com) but I did not find any option for the towing package.
All Venza's here in the U.S. don't have the Tow prep package.
It is an ordered option , But you can install the hitch.
I have the tow prep pack. on my Venza , and had the dealer install the Reese hitch and wiring today. ( the Toyota hitch was $200 more than the Reese hitch). It looks just fine to me.
Happy Driving
Trailer Hitch
Ok i have done some looking and i cant seem to come up with anything usefull. believe it or not i work for a toyota dealer and can not come up with any answers for one of my customer as far as a hitch for the venza. I have found out that the toyota hitch will becoming available in october of this year. However i was also told that there were a few available when the venza was first released. My question to all of you is if you have any pictures of the toyota hitch installed or if you have any pictures of any aftermarket hitches installed. It would be of great help if you could post any thing you have for venza trailer hitches.
Ok i have done some looking and i cant seem to come up with anything usefull. believe it or not i work for a toyota dealer and can not come up with any answers for one of my customer as far as a hitch for the venza. I have found out that the toyota hitch will becoming available in october of this year. However i was also told that there were a few available when the venza was first released. My question to all of you is if you have any pictures of the toyota hitch installed or if you have any pictures of any aftermarket hitches installed. It would be of great help if you could post any thing you have for venza trailer hitches.
Ya...my dealer told me the same thing. I negotiated further discount to do it myself. I purchased a Curt Hitch, had a braket to hold the plug tacked on (or you can clip to hitch like most do) and repainted it to a satin finish (was high gloss) since I had a white car to reduce standout. It is custom made for the car, and other then dropping the rear of exhaust is not a tough install.Ok i have done some looking and i cant seem to come up with anything usefull. believe it or not i work for a toyota dealer and can not come up with any answers for one of my customer as far as a hitch for the venza. I have found out that the toyota hitch will becoming available in october of this year. However i was also told that there were a few available when the venza was first released. My question to all of you is if you have any pictures of the toyota hitch installed or if you have any pictures of any aftermarket hitches installed. It would be of great help if you could post any thing you have for venza trailer hitches.
I must say, the stock finish was awesome, best I've seen including factory Toy hitches on my Tundra, but I still wanted to tone it down since its not a truck. I took shots in direct sunlight, in shade its barely visible! Here are the pics.
One last note, I did have to shim the mount down 1/4" to keep from rubbing the bumper. I could see a slight bow before doing that. Took prob. another 20 mins. after I found some easy to install C shaped spacers. (after talking to an installer this is fairly common with hitches).
Here is the hitch you want..
https://www.hitchsource.com/docs/cu/13356.pdf
5
Hi,Ok i have done some looking and i cant seem to come up with anything usefull. believe it or not i work for a toyota dealer and can not come up with any answers for one of my customer as far as a hitch for the venza. I have found out that the toyota hitch will becoming available in october of this year. However i was also told that there were a few available when the venza was first released. My question to all of you is if you have any pictures of the toyota hitch installed or if you have any pictures of any aftermarket hitches installed. It would be of great help if you could post any thing you have for venza trailer hitches.
The Toyota dealer here in Florida offered the Toyota hitch and a Reese hitch. I went with the Reese because the Toyota hitch was more expensive.
The finished install looks alot like the pics posted on this thread.
Over all you really don't even notice the hitch.
Happy Driving
thanks to both of you this has been a huge help for me TN comes through again for me!
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