Anyone know if you can pull a trailer ( probably about 1000 lbs) with the camry.

 

STOPPING a trailer SAFELY might be more of a problem.

 

I've read there have been technical improvements with battery cooling in the 2012 Camry which will enable it to tow a trailer up to 300Kg.

 

I'm not too sure how a hitch would be mounted to the car. There's not a frame to attach it to, and the bumpers are all enclosed. It might be technically possible, but not feasible (maybe too expensive to do safely)

 

Here is an extract from an Australian brouchure for the new (2012) Camry Hybrid:
WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES

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• Note: Kerb, tare & payload weights are nominal and will vary depending on options and tray/body type. Weights
  • - Kerb weight (kg) 1555
  • - Gross vehicle weight rating (kg) 2100
  • - Gross trailer weight braked (kg) 300
  • - Gross trailer weight unbraked (kg) 300

Note: Towing capacity subject to regulatory requirements, towbar design, vehicle design and towing equipment limitations. Ask your Dealer for details of Toyota Genuine Towbar capacity and availability.

• Seating
  • - Seating capacity 5

• Cargo area dimensions Standard

• Fuel tank - main
  • - Capacity (L) 65
  • - Fuel type Unleaded

 

Great breakdown from Cosmo on towing capacity. This more or less puts the Camry Hybrid in the Class I hitch category. The Class I hitch capacity is anywhere between 2,000 lbs for the Gross Weight and somewhere around 200 lbs tongue weght.

Depending on what trailer you go for, whether it's enclosed or open, you shouldn't push the Camry to its limits with anything over a Class I. It can more than likely strain your fuel economy and make the car work harder than it needs to.

Here's an overview of some basic customized trailer hitch receivers and other trailers/hitches with towing capacities and weight distribution against the car.

http://www.crofttrailer.com/trailers/

 

I know this is somewhat off topic and I wish I had a picture of this. Last year I saw a 4th generation 4 cylinder Camry with a class 3 or 4 tow hitch towing a loaded down two-axle U-Haul trailer. I couldn't believe the car was even moving! It looked like the front of the car was about to come off the ground and there was smoke blowing out of the exhaust. Sorry, a little off topic, but I just thought I'd share. But in all sincerity, I wouldn't tow a trailer with the Camry Hybrid. I have an 04 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V with a 2.5L 4 cylinder and I towed a small U-haul trailer with it. The fuel economy dropped to 15 mpg while I was towing the empty trailer and it could not maintain speed going up even the slightest incline. I know that is a completely different car, but the trailer weighed less than 1,000 lbs and the engine is about the same size as the Camry.

- Mario