The Toyota Corolla is known as one of the most popular vehicles around the world so it’s not surprising that so many people want to know the towing capacity of their Corolla.
We’ve gone back to models from the year 2000 right up to the present day so you can find out the towing limits and capabilities of the Toyota Corolla.
Most Toyota Corolla models between 2000 and 2013 are able to tow up to 1500lbs, but according to the owner’s manual, models from 2014 to 2020 are not approved for any towing. The Toyota 2021 and 2022 models are able to tow up to 1500lbs.
Since 2001 most models of the Corolla are able to haul up to 1500 pounds which heavily out-tows many other sedans in its category which is one of the reasons it has such popularity for an entry-level model.
You should always check your owner manual for specific details on your model’s capabilities before you set off to tow. There are lots of important safety issues you need to cover before towing so this isn’t something you should do without planning and thoroughly checking.
The majority of models between 2000 and 2013 are approved for towing at a rate of up to 1500 pounds which may surprise those who are only familiar with newer models that have a strict no towing capability.
For such a small car, the weight limit is more than enough for most needs but there are a few exceptions to the rule. If your Corolla has a certain engine such as the 1.8 liter 4-cyl then you should think twice before towing as these models are not approved for towing.
Always check your owner’s manual if you are unsure, to get the clearest information relating to your vehicle.
Between the years 2014 and 2020 Toyota have a strict no towing rule across all Corolla models which came as a surprise to many as the towing capabilities in previous years were an impressive feature.
Luckily, in newer models, Toyota has reintroduced the ability to tow using your Corolla, and the maximum capacity of 1,500 lbs still stands to many die-hard fans relief.
Now we know which Corollas are capable of towing, it is important you follow some strict safety tips to make sure you are towing in the best possible way to prevent damage to your vehicle and make sure you are keeping everyone involved as safe as possible.
Since you’re towing with a sedan, you want to make sure you’re not pushing too much weight down onto the hitch so make sure you never set the tongue weight to more than 15% of the weight of the loaded trailer. Ideally, you should keep it below 10% for the safest towing.
The additional weight on your vehicle will create different driving conditions than you are used to your vehicle performing, so make sure you keep a good distance from the car in front of you and only brake gently to accommodate for the additional load you are carrying.
You should also be much more considerate of dips and potholes in the road. Even if you think your Corolla can manage it, the additional loaded weight will be lowering your rear end and ground clearance which will lead to scrapes and damage to your vehicle.
Hauling this extra weight will create strain on your transmission meaning your Corolla’s standard cooler may not be able to keep up with the additional strain. You can look into getting a newer transmission fluid cooler to provide the performance you need for an easy trip.
The Corolla’s 1,500 pound towing capacity leaves a lot of room to play with, but just what can a Corolla tow? The high limit means your sedan will be able to haul a few impressive things that may surprise you!
The average 5×8 enclosed cargo trailer weighs around 900 pounds when empty which means as long as the content of the trailer weighs 600 pounds or less then you are good to go!
You may be surprised to know you could also tow a motorbike quite easily with your corolla! The majority of these trailers weigh less than 500 pounds and some of the heaviest Harleys only weigh 800 pounds so most Corollas will make ease of this task.
Although your Corolla is capable of towing lightweight trailers, boats, or even caravans, you should remember that the negative impact these loads will have on your vehicle’s handling, braking performance, and fuel consumption is going to make your vehicle feel very different from the one you know so well.
That is why you should always ensure that you are not going to overload your vehicle and drive in a safe way when hauling heavy loads.
Corollas can be fitted with tow bars and used to pull trailers however they are not designed to cope well with such high weights and so it should be avoided where possible,
Trailer hitch installation varies in price like any vehicle work but as an average figure, you can expect to pay between $100-$150.
Tow packages are designed for towing anything your vehicle is capable of, but a trailer package is designed for towing trailers and won’t feature the same upgrades as a tow package such as engine upgrades and improved cooling systems.
If you’re wanting a Toyota specifically for towing then the 2021 Tundra has up to 10,200 pounds owing capacity and is sure to carry anything you throw at it.
There are many reasons the Corolla is a best-selling vehicle across the world considering there is an impressive amount of makes and models around.
Depending on what year your Toyota Corolla is will depend on its towing capacity, but if it is a model between 2000-2013 then you can normally be sure that it can tow up to 1500 lbs. However, if your model is from 2014 to 2020 then it has no capacity for towing.
With the newer 2021 and 2022 models, Toyota resumed its towing capacity back to 1500 lbs.
Make sure to check your owner manual to get the best information about your Corollas towing capabilities and follow the safety tips we have provided to keep you safe on the roads.
