Towing with 95 wagon

[noname87]

I have a 1995 Camry wagon (4 cylinder) with front and rear disc brakes. I has 135K miles and the original struts. I would like to add a trailer hitch to be able to tow a boat that I want to buy. This will be a one time affair of about 400 miles. One boat+trailer will weigh 650lbs. Another could be 1200lbs. Neither trailer will have brakes. Will I need a transmission cooler?

Also what is the maximum weight I can put on the roof?

Thanks.

Philip

[ASG14]

I would NOT do this if your struts are original. At this mileage, the struts are not good, and you may have control issues from bouncing.

For towing, I've damn near 1k lbs in my dad's '96 I4 wagon. Not towing, but inside. It's goign to be SLOW, lol. Your not going to need a tranny cooler for 1 400 mile trip. Just take it easy on the drive is all.

As for maximum weight on the roof, do you have the room rack on it?

[noname87]

I have the Toyota roof rack which I believe has a 100 lb limit. I was planning on using a thule rack which has a limit of 150 lb (not sure if that is total or per bar).

I also found that putting 1000 lb in the car will change how the car handles even when it was new. If I understand in right, a 1200 lb trailer has a tongue weight of 120 lbs. Is that the same effect of 120 lbs in the rear? My main concern was stopping ability. Needless to say, I will take it easy.

[ASG14]

I wouldn't overdue it on the roof. I'd stay at the 100lbs to be safe. What I am worried about is the bouncing from the rear. Towing 1k lbs will have a much different effect then having it inside. The center of all the force will be at the hitch itself, unlike when the car is loaded, the center of the weight is closer to the center of the car. So hitting bumps, the rear of the car can dip a LOT more.

The brakes should be fine. I've seen many camry wagon's towing UHaul trailers without a problem. In Australia, a large percentage of the Gen 3 Camry's actually have trailor hitches. Keep it slow is the key and leave plenty of distance between you and the car in front. Did you ever think of renting a truck? I know my Toyota dealer, which has a Toyota Rent A Car on premisis, rents Tundra's for a good price, and they have hitches on them. I almost rented one to tow a car last yeah, but ended up not getting the car.

[noname87]

Thanks for the advice. I have been unable to find a place that rents vechicles with a trailer hitch. Enterprise truck does rent but but only to commerial businesses.