WHY no trailer hitch?

[queenbetty]

I"ve asked Toyota twice why the TCH "can't" have a trailer hitch, even for a bicycle rack, with only the standard canned answers ("not recommended"), but without an explanation as to why.

While it would be great to be able to pull a small trailer with my race bike on it, all I REALLY want to do is put a Class I hitch on my Camry to mount my bike rack.

I know there are folks who've ignored the company line and mounted hitches, but my question is WHY does Toyota waggle their finger at the idea?

TIA

[nmehes]

Originally Posted by queenbetty

I"ve asked Toyota twice why the TCH "can't" have a trailer hitch, even for a bicycle rack, with only the standard canned answers ("not recommended"), but without an explanation as to why.

While it would be great to be able to pull a small trailer with my race bike on it, all I REALLY want to do is put a Class I hitch on my Camry to mount my bike rack.

I know there are folks who've ignored the company line and mounted hitches, but my question is WHY does Toyota waggle their finger at the idea?

TIA

Transmission is not designed to tow...regenerative brakes not designed for towing....simple as that.

[queenbetty]

Originally Posted by nmehes

Transmission is not designed to tow...regenerative brakes not designed for towing....simple as that.

Understood, but I don't want to tow, I want to put my bike rack and bike on the hitch. Total weight much less than what I could load into the trunk. There is, by the way, no prohibition against using a trunk-mounted bike rack (that I have been able to find), which puts the bicycle in the same location as the hitch-mount rack would.

[damon329]

I think they're concerned about rear impact with a hitch as to the location of high voltage battery pack.

[queenbetty]

Originally Posted by damon329

I think they're concerned about rear impact with a hitch as to the location of high voltage battery pack.

Ah, an explanation based on logic, rather than a menu of replies from Toyota!

However, I wonder if that's really it? The hitch is bolted under all the everythying; if a car hits it from behind, seems like the hitch bolts might give way, and the hitch might be forced forward, but up into the batteries? Mebbe. Kill all the lawyers, that's the ticket.

[spp]

[quote=queenbetty; Kill all the lawyers, that's the ticket.[/quote]
+1 on that.
As for the hitch I think Toyota doesn't want anyone to use the TCH for towing and a hitch even though you only want it for a bike rack would be an invitation if not for you anyone in the future who bought your car to useit as such.
From a warranty angle if you had a drivetrain issue and there is a hitch on your car against their blessing what do you think they would blame first???

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by queenbetty

I"ve asked Toyota twice why the TCH "can't" have a trailer hitch, even for a bicycle rack, with only the standard canned answers ("not recommended"), but without an explanation as to why.

While it would be great to be able to pull a small trailer with my race bike on it, all I REALLY want to do is put a Class I hitch on my Camry to mount my bike rack.

I know there are folks who've ignored the company line and mounted hitches, but my question is WHY does Toyota waggle their finger at the idea?

TIA

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is crash performance. The rear crash performance has been a relatively weak area for the Camry in general and the hybrid in particular. I'm wondering if there is a concern around the hitch mount altering the crash performance enough to create safety issues with the traction battery. The accessory battery is already 'in harm's way' for any rear-ender of consequence.

[zppeacock]

Ive seen a prius come in for service with a hitch on it

[queenbetty]

Well, thus far there have been lots of good ideas and plausible theories, but still there's no objective statement regarding the hitch deal...and I mean no disrepect to any of the respondents. I was hoping for a clear technical statement, perhaps even from a Toyota representative.

Getting past customer service reps who read menus to someone who actually know something, in large corporations, is extremely frustrating.

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by queenbetty

Well, thus far there have been lots of good ideas and plausible theories, but still there's no objective statement regarding the hitch deal...and I mean no disrepect to any of the respondents. I was hoping for a clear technical statement, perhaps even from a Toyota representative.

Getting past customer service reps who read menus to someone who actually know something, in large corporations, is extremely frustrating.

You hit the point - Toyota isn't forthcoming with the 'real' reason for prohibiting a hitch, even for hauling bikes. This may be largely for marketing reasons - explaining the limitations of the powertrain or chassis may be seen as a negative. Absent the 'true' reasons, all that's left are some 'likely guesses' based on known and inferred limitations of the setup.

And, for all we know, they may not BE a real limitation - just a matter of over-caution to ensure that a exemplary failure record is achieve.

One strange stat - the TCH has had a better CU repair report than the 'regular' Camry, even on the non-hybrid components. Real weird given they're produced on the same line, pretty much out of the same parts bins. Now, it could be that the average TCH owner doesn't engage in a driving style that over-stresses parts - or it could be that Toyota stayed conservative. The recommendation against towing may well fall into that category.

[LCromwell]

Originally Posted by Frodo65

You hit the point - Toyota isn't forthcoming with the 'real' reason for prohibiting a hitch, even for hauling bikes. This may be largely for marketing reasons - explaining the limitations of the powertrain or chassis may be seen as a negative. Absent the 'true' reasons, all that's left are some 'likely guesses' based on known and inferred limitations of the setup.

And, for all we know, they may not BE a real limitation - just a matter of over-caution to ensure that a exemplary failure record is achieve.

One strange stat - the TCH has had a better CU repair report than the 'regular' Camry, even on the non-hybrid components. Real weird given they're produced on the same line, pretty much out of the same parts bins. Now, it could be that the average TCH owner doesn't engage in a driving style that over-stresses parts - or it could be that Toyota stayed conservative. The recommendation against towing may well fall into that category.

Could be because the TCH is built in AMERICA,oh no an AMERICAN built car that holds up better than a Jap built car????

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by LCromwell

Could be because the TCH is built in AMERICA,oh no an AMERICAN built car that holds up better than a Jap built car????

The early G6 Camry had some issues, proving that even Toyota has problems getting a clean launch. Given the Toyota process improvement mindset, they mostly corrected the simpler ones; looks like they may still have some issues in trans shift quality. As far as overall quality and durability - given that the Camry stats aren't tracked by country of origin, can't tell. Toyota's line is that the US plant and supplier quality standards are statistically identical to the Japanese plants. Without access to the raw data I can't tell.

[BoulderHybrid]

Originally Posted by queenbetty

I"ve asked Toyota twice why the TCH "can't" have a trailer hitch, even for a bicycle rack, with only the standard canned answers ("not recommended"), but without an explanation as to why.

While it would be great to be able to pull a small trailer with my race bike on it, all I REALLY want to do is put a Class I hitch on my Camry to mount my bike rack.
TIA

Same thing here. Seems to me if I can stuff myself and 4 people who each weigh 250 pounds into the TCH and drive over hill and dale without voiding my warranty, then I ought to be able to put a Class I hitch with a couple of road bicycles or even a small trailer, kick out the 4 passengers, and continue driving over hill and dale, with a lot less "wear and tear" on the engine, tranny, brakes, shocks, tires, etc.

I realize the wind resistance might drop the MPG a bit, but with the tiny trunk, there's no other way I can take my road bike on a trip. No way will I put one of those roof-mount wind-resistance-generating bike racks on my TCH when I can put a small hitch on for the same $$$.

Anyone out there a serious road bicyclist and an automotive warranty attorney?

[Cossack]

Hi There

When I bought my Camry Hybrid, the info handout said I could Tow up to 1000 lbs. The info listed regular Camry's as well.
I took out the 120000 warrenty and so far had no problems when I take it in for servise. The car has done 70,000 klms now and the dealer replaced both front struts ( leaking )and rear bushings with the only charge of 85 dollars for front wheel alinement.
I have a class 2 Trailer hitch in which I tow a pop-up tent trailer.

Regards....

[queenbetty]

Old post, but I'm still wanting to add a hitch, not only for a bicycle rack but to be able to tow a motorcycle trailer with one bike to the track...under 1000 lbs.

Can anyone state definitively that the warranty will be voided if a hitch is installed?

TIA, again.