3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
As some of you may know (or can see the picture in my sig), I tow a boat with my wagon. When I got the boat, I had some doubts about the Camry’s ability to tow long term. I still have doubts, but after almost a year of owning the car and nine months / 1500 miles towing, I can say that it has been up to the task every time.
There is not much info out there on towing with a Camry and most of the advice I was getting was mocking or laughing at me. I bought an owner’s manual to get the facts and would like to post those here for those that are interested in towing. I believe many Toyota / Lexus vehicles were rated up to 2000 pounds until 2002 or something like that.
Here is my experience that may be used as a guide only – do not blame me for running your Camry into the ground because I said that the Camry tows well. My car is a 1993 wagon with a V6. It now has 136k miles. The only thing I did to prep the car for towing was installing a transmission oil cooler. Other than that, regular (more frequent) maintenance is needed. I will also be replacing the brakes with all Brembo rotors and Hawk HPS pads. Interestingly, the manual recommends brakes for trailers over 1000 pounds. My trailer / boat combo weighs between 1700 and 2000 pounds and I do not have trailer brakes. It stops fine but I have never had to stop fast. Another interesting guideline from the manual is not to exceed 45 mph. I tow at about 55 mph and keep a good distance - overdrive off and power on.
Here are the five pages on towing from the manual I got which is for a ’92 Camry.
'07 Honda Ruckus Big Bore TOTALED: '03 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 5.4L, '96 Camry LE 5S May '10: '11 Sienna V6 XLE FWD 8-pass. July '10: '06 Matrix XR Auto FWD Oct. '09: '05 RAV-4 L 4WD
Isn't everybody's? Just like the manual says, "towing will have an adverse effect on..., durability....".
Comments like that encourage me to keep this thing going for as long as I can. I should start a betting pool for how long the Camry can keep towing the boat! Ricamryman, how long do you think I can keep it up? What are your opinions based on?
I bought the car for $2500. It's my daily driver and tows the boat to the ocean every other week. On my last weekend trip to Santa Barbara, the car got 16 mpg all towing! If it can tow the boat for a couple of years, I'll be very thankfull and will have more money in my pocket. I may even replace the transmission when it fails and drive it for another couple of years - still much cheaper / better than a truck (to me).
Isn't everybody's? Just like the manual says, "towing will have an adverse effect on..., durability....".
Comments like that encourage me to keep this thing going for as long as I can. I should start a betting pool for how long the Camry can keep towing the boat! Ricamryman, how long do you think I can keep it up? What are your opinions based on?
I bought the car for $2500. It's my daily driver and tows the boat to the ocean every other week. On my last weekend trip to Santa Barbara, the car got 16 mpg all towing! If it can tow the boat for a couple of years, I'll be very thankfull and will have more money in my pocket. I may even replace the transmission when it fails and drive it for another couple of years - still much cheaper / better than a truck (to me).
You stated that your trailer with boat weighs approx. 2000Lbs! My Harley Davidson & enclosed bike trailer loaded with luggage weighs in just a tick over 2000Lbs, probably 2200Lbs! I tow that on trips with my 2007 F-150 SuperCrew! The truck tows that load with ease, like a tick on a horse. The truck's tow rating is 9300 Lbs. However I still know that the load is there. I in no way could I ever imagine merging onto a busy freeway with that load behind my 1993 V6 LE, which is the same thing you have! That is just asking for trouble & outright dangerous, not to mention irresponsible if you ever had to stop short for an emergency or road hazard!.....Your car your tranny!........
You stated that your trailer with boat weighs approx. 2000Lbs! My Harley Davidson & enclosed bike trailer loaded with luggage weighs in just a tick over 2000Lbs, probably 2200Lbs! I tow that on trips with my 2007 F-150 SuperCrew! The truck tows that load with ease, like a tick on a horse. The truck's tow rating is 9300 Lbs. However I still know that the load is there. I in no way could I ever imagine merging onto a busy freeway with that load behind my 1993 V6 LE, which is the same thing you have! That is just asking for trouble & outright dangerous, not to mention irresponsible if you ever had to stop short for an emergency or road hazard!.....Your car your tranny!........
Shut-up already, lol.
Safari, have you thought about getting stiffer springs? From what little i know about towing, having stiffer springs is a good thing. But, i deffinately would invest in some trailer brakes too. how much do those cost? Hell, you could even get a backup cam for the treailer, haha.
You know what motor you have? you could look into performance mods to get a little more oomph aswell. Andif you have the 3vz, theyre pretty cheap.
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1994 LE sedan & 1996 DX coupe....with a bit of SE thrown in there
Carsus, I don't like trucks or SUV's and don't want to have 2 cars - unless I have to.
Ricamry, thanks for your input. At least its coming from someone with towing experience. You should try to pull the trailer with the Camry!
Chronoti, tell us more about that experience. What car did you tow with? What did you tow?
Eric N, I will not be replacing / upgrading until it is time to. When the suspension starts to not perform to par I will look into upgrades. From the little research I did, I could not find any "heavy duty" shocks or springs. So probably a straight forward good quality shocks and springs replacement will have to do. The rear squats pretty good with the trailer and three people in the car but I have not had any problems. When I change my brakes, I plan to put some "spring helpers" in the back to keep one of the coils from sitting on the next one when towing.
As far as engine upgrades, I don't plan on any. I have a WeaponR intake and my put on a slightly better flowing muffler when the current one wears out. I don't have any problems accelerating up to freeway speeds. My regular route takes me up one of the steepest / longest freeway stretches in California - the Conejo grade. It is a 6 or 7 degree incline that winds up about 3 miles. I let the car slow to about 50 mph and push the gas to downshift to second. The rpms go to a little over 4K and the car can accelerate from there. I like to take it easy on the car, so I just keep it at 50 up the hill.
Carsus, I don't like trucks or SUV's and don't want to have 2 cars - unless I have to.
Ricamry, thanks for your input. At least its coming from someone with towing experience. You should try to pull the trailer with the Camry!
Chronoti, tell us more about that experience. What car did you tow with? What did you tow?
Eric N, I will not be replacing / upgrading until it is time to. When the suspension starts to not perform to par I will look into upgrades. From the little research I did, I could not find any "heavy duty" shocks or springs. So probably a straight forward good quality shocks and springs replacement will have to do. The rear squats pretty good with the trailer and three people in the car but I have not had any problems. When I change my brakes, I plan to put some "spring helpers" in the back to keep one of the coils from sitting on the next one when towing.
As far as engine upgrades, I don't plan on any. I have a WeaponR intake and my put on a slightly better flowing muffler when the current one wears out. I don't have any problems accelerating up to freeway speeds. My regular route takes me up one of the steepest / longest freeway stretches in California - the Conejo grade. It is a 6 or 7 degree incline that winds up about 3 miles. I let the car slow to about 50 mph and push the gas to downshift to second. The rpms go to a little over 4K and the car can accelerate from there. I like to take it easy on the car, so I just keep it at 50 up the hill.
LOL! Dude you freakin killin me! I just back from dropping the Harley Davidson at the dealer for spingtime Mods to be installed. The trailer with my bike & parts probably weighs 2100Lbs! I actually thought of you as I was towing the load with my trusty F-150! Your freakin crazy for towing that with your Camry!.......
LOL! Dude you freakin killin me! I just back from dropping the Harley Davidson at the dealer for spingtime Mods to be installed. The trailer with my bike & parts probably weighs 2100Lbs! I actually thought of you as I was towing the load with my trusty F-150! Your freakin crazy for towing that with your Camry!.......
How fast do you go when you're towing on the highway?
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