I have a 03 Camry 4cyl. I installed a hitch. I have towed many things with other cars and have not had this issue... My Camry squats quite a bit with only 130 lbs tongue weight.

Has anyone else experienced this? I am thinking it is in need of new rear struts.

How ever if someone has put new struts on rear to remedy this issue and it DID NOT remedy the issue. That would be nice to know. What was the remedy if new struts didn't help?

 

If you stand on the hitch does the rear end squat?

Springs are what supports the chassis the struts dampen the spring.

Need heavy duty springs, air struts or such.

 

I would find it odd that the 2003 rated for 2k towing, which would allow for a 200 lb tongue weight would need heavy duty springs... unless that is how it came from the factory.
I'm thinking replacing struts and springs with the same that came from the factory would take care of the sag. ?????

 

Are the spring sagging?

 

I would have to know what the no load ride height is supposed to be. But yeah, sag like hell with a aprox 130 lb tongue weight.

I thought maybe someone had run into the same issue .... replace struts/spring and the excessive sag was eliminated. I understand there should be some sag when loading a hitch, but it should be so great that the frt end becomes lighter... lol.

I'll have to find what spring weight came OEM and maybe I will go the next higher spring weight. And wether it is a straight weight or progressive.

 

Might ask at Toyotanation.com. You can find recommend spring vendors.

My older Camry only sinks 1 inch when standing on the hitch (about 150 lbs).

Would assume all passenger car spring are progressive.

Never saw any reference to spring rate for Toyota's. An after market spring might know as they would need this to design the replacement spring.

Toyota normally does list body ride height in their service manual. Perhaps your car is already sitting low in the rear.

 

Ah ha... I'll stop by the Toyota dealer here and see if the FSM has the ride height. Thanks for that idea. Looks like only the front springs have an option of getting a constant rate.

1" seems normal.