Add reliable trailer lighting capability to your 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 without cutting a single wire. The CURT 56165 is a vehicle-specific T-connector harness that taps into your RAV4's existing tail lamp wiring using a plug-and-play connector -- no splicing, no soldering, no trips to the dealership. Whether you're towing a small utility trailer, a bike carrier with lights, or a lightweight camper, this harness delivers clean, code-compliant trailer lighting signals in under an hour.
CURT's T-connector harnesses are engineered to work with each vehicle's factory wiring rather than fighting it. The 56165 uses OEM-style connectors that mate directly with the RAV4's tail lamp plugs, allowing the harness to pass trailer turn, brake, and running light signals from your tow vehicle to your trailer's 4-flat connector -- with no modification to your vehicle's wiring harness.
The T-connector design gets its name from the way it works: it splits the signal at the tail light plug, sending power both to the original tail light and out to the trailer connector simultaneously. Your RAV4's lighting functions completely normally, and the trailer lights mirror the correct signals on each side.
Plugs directly into existing RAV4 tail lamp connectors -- no wire cutting, no splicing, no soldering required.
Engineered exclusively for 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4. Connectors match OEM plug shapes for a secure, rattle-free fit.
Terminates in a universal 4-flat trailer connector compatible with the majority of trailers, bike racks, and cargo carriers.
CURT T-connectors include built-in protection to help guard your vehicle's electrical system against shorts and overloads from trailer wiring faults.
The standard 4-flat (also called 4-pin flat) connector used on this harness carries four circuits:
This covers the lighting requirements for most single-axle utility trailers, small boat trailers, cargo carriers with lights, and bike racks with integrated lighting. It does not carry a dedicated 12V auxiliary power circuit or electric brake signal -- if you need those, you'll need a 5-flat or 7-way harness instead.
The 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 (V6 models) carries a factory tow rating of up to 3,500 lbs. The 56165 harness is well matched to the types of trailers RAV4 owners commonly tow: small utility trailers, kayak trailers, lightweight pop-up campers, and bike carriers. The 4-flat connector is the right choice for any trailer that uses only basic lighting -- no electric brakes needed.
Installation typically takes 30-60 minutes with basic hand tools and no previous wiring experience. The general process:
Some vehicles with LED tail lights or complex multiplex wiring require a converter or relay module to correctly translate signals for a trailer. The 2006-2012 RAV4 uses a conventional (non-multiplexed) tail light circuit on most trim levels, making a simple T-connector harness like the 56165 the correct solution. If your RAV4 has been modified with LED tails or an aftermarket lighting system, verify compatibility before installing.
CURT manufactures vehicle-specific T-connectors for hundreds of makes and models under their standard wiring harness line. Each part number corresponds to a specific vehicle application. The 56165 is dedicated to the 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 -- it is not a universal harness. Using the correct vehicle-specific harness ensures a secure OEM-style plug fit and eliminates the guesswork of splicing into the right wires.
Related CURT wiring products for the RAV4 ecosystem include ball mounts and hitch receivers in the CURT standard and trailer hitch series -- the 56165 pairs directly with any compatible RAV4 receiver hitch to complete a ready-to-tow setup.
This harness does NOT include a ball mount, trailer hitch receiver, or any towing hardware. It is a wiring harness only. A receiver hitch must be separately installed on the vehicle before towing any trailer. The 4-flat connector also does not support electric trailer brakes -- a brake controller and 7-way wiring would be required for that.