Towing a Jayco Swan with a Camry?

Why don't you get a Trailer mounted brake controller - as opposed to a vehicle mounted brake controller - you'll be able to trial towing with both cars and not have to have another brake controller fitted in 18months time.

The Camry is able to tow the Jayco, well at least on paper.

Issues are the towball weight capacity of the the camry, ascertain this first and compare to what the jayco is when loaded up.

You will need a brake controller I prefer the types fitted inside the vehicle but there are some issues with the wiring of this in newer model toyotas.

Issue is to do with it interfering with the ecu that controls the ABS and ESC circuits.(Got this info from two seperate towball companies who refused to fit the controller without it)

You will probably need a weight distrubition hitch to put some of the load back onto the Jayco from the towball.

I went through the same issues with my Toyota Aurion and worked out the cost to be around $1600 (towball,hitch,controller and labour)

In the end went back to my old trusty 4wd, 400,000kms and going strong if not touch slow.

If you have the magna already fitted with the towbar and can spare the cash, then fit the bars and controller in this, remove them when ready to sell on and fit in your 4WD.

Hi. I had a look on the internet for you, and found the following:
Tare wt of Swan Outback is 1165 kg, so by the time you fit a gas bottle or put some food in the pantry, you'll be up to 1200 kg easy. Most people would expect to add 200 - 300 kg to the tare by the time water, gas food and clothing is loaded.
Max towed mass of the Camry is 1200 kg, so the clear answer is that you might just tow the Swan Outback ABSOLUTELY EMPTY legally, but only if the stated tare is accurate.
The Magna is slightly better, at 1500 kg max towing weight.
Hope this helps I used Toyota and Jayco for their figures, and a third party site for the Magna
Regards

What is the ATM of the Swan (On the Compliance Plate) as that is the maximum legal towing weight.
The 2.4 Camry is legally permitted to tow a maximum of 1200kg with a maximum Ball Weight of 120kg. However if the Ball Weight is greater than 90kg then an approved WDH must be used. So it maybe a little close to the wind so to speak.
The Magna can legally tow up to 1500kg with a maximum Ball Weight of 150kg. And a WDH must be used if the Ball Weight exceeds 75kg.
The M'bishi 380 can legally tow 1600kg with a Ball Weight of 160kg and again a WDH must be used.
ozjohn

I was typing as Chris P was posting.
He's answered the question Re: The ATM as it will be the Tare plus 300kg.
And as I suspected that rules out the Camry.
ozjohn

I agree with all of the above, the only concern I have is the Wheel Size on the Off Road Trailer and the Wheel Size on either Sedans, even with the Tow Hitch the Trailer will be facing downwards to some degree, not a real safe way to tow in my opinion, it will look like a Pimple on a Pumkin.

Cheers

Best 4x4,
I have a Jayco Eagle Outback and tow it with a 120 series V6 Prado. The Prado tows it well but definately knows it is there.
I also have a 4 cyl 08 Camry Sportivo and would not even consider trying to tow the camper with it. In my opinion, and its only an opinion, i would not tow it with the Camry or the Magna. The difference in height from camper to car would be enough to put me off, plus the fact both cars are front wheel drive and at the top of the weight limits. Not a good mix.

Cheers
Dave

The Hayman Reece weight distribution equipment comes with an adjustable leg & cam that allows you to adjust the height of the tow ball so that your trailer & vehicle are level.

This equipment, if set up correctly ( & it is easy to do so) transfers the correct proportion of the ball weight to the front axle of the vehicle thereby re establishing your braking & steering capability.

It would be out of the question to tow it with your Camry but your Magna would do the job although you would be near the upper limits.

Don't be put of ref. comments about front wheel drive vehicles not being suitable to tow with. They are, Cheers

I think some are missing the point.....even with a WDH ( which cannot be taken into consideration when working out towball weights ) the Camry has no hope of being legal..

The Magna, although at or near it's limit....would be legal....

I personally wouldn't tow at or near the max limit, but it's your car....and it will be legal !!