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How Much Can I Tow?


Grd4Spd

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hello,

i am purchasing a 1999 LX470 from SoCal. it doesnt have a tow package on it, however i am having one installed as i type....i need to tow a sports car from SoCal to Sun Valley, ID....what is the tow rating on my 1999 LX470? will i have any problem towing a car that weighs ~2800lbs (less the trailer)

thanks in advance for your info and time!

regards,

terry

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2800lb is fine. I think it can tow over 3500lb. Correct me if I am wrong.

-Robert

thanks for the reply robert :)

so you think that i can (safely) tow a 2800lb car with a 1000-2000lb flat bed trailer? total of about 4800lbs?

terry

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2800lb is fine. I think it can tow over 3500lb. Correct me if I am wrong.

-Robert

thanks for the reply robert :)

so you think that i can (safely) tow a 2800lb car with a 1000-2000lb flat bed trailer? total of about 4800lbs?

terry

I will check it out in my manual and let you know.

-Robert

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right from the manual

"The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus

cargo weight) must never exceed 2948 kg (6500 lb.).

If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 907 kg

(2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a sway control device

with sufficient capacity. The combination of the

gross trailer weight added to the total weight of the

vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must never

exceed a total of 5625 kg (12400 lb.). Exceeding the

maximum weight of the trailer, the vehicle, or the

vehicle and trailer combination, can cause an

accident resulting in serious personal injuries."

-Robert

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right from the manual

"The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus

cargo weight) must never exceed 2948 kg (6500 lb.).

If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 907 kg

(2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a sway control device

with sufficient capacity. The combination of the

gross trailer weight added to the total weight of the

vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must never

exceed a total of 5625 kg (12400 lb.). Exceeding the

maximum weight of the trailer, the vehicle, or the

vehicle and trailer combination, can cause an

accident resulting in serious personal injuries."

-Robert

thats exactly what i was looking for, thanks!!

next question....does the OEM tow package have this "sway control device"? if so what is it and where can i get it?

regards,

terry

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right from the manual

"The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus

cargo weight) must never exceed 2948 kg (6500 lb.).

If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 907 kg

(2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a sway control device

with sufficient capacity. The combination of the

gross trailer weight added to the total weight of the

vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must never

exceed a total of 5625 kg (12400 lb.). Exceeding the

maximum weight of the trailer, the vehicle, or the

vehicle and trailer combination, can cause an

accident resulting in serious personal injuries."

-Robert

thats exactly what i was looking for, thanks!!

next question....does the OEM tow package have this "sway control device"? if so what is it and where can i get it?

regards,

terry

I have no idea what a sway device is :P

I would also like to know if anyone else has an answer.

-Robert

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I have no idea what a sway device is  :P

I would also like to know if anyone else has an answer.

-Robert

robert,

i have been working two lexus forums in addition to my "agent" (the guy who is brokering the sale) in socal and this is what he sent me as to what a "sway device" is....

http://www.etrailerpart.com/MyWebs/myweb/c...000_1800932.htm

i dont think that i will need this part as the car/trailer is not of high profile and thus not as subject to the unbalanced characteristics associated with higher profile tows?

anyone have input on this position?

regards,

terry

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Just thought I would throw this in there if it helps...my mom has a 2003 Toyota Landcruiser that I used to tow a 1957 Corvette from Atlanta to Nashville with. It has NO problem. The total load was just over 6000lbs. and it does not have a anti-sway bar on the car hauler. I talked to my mechanic who has been working on only lexus/toyota for 15 years and he said that these new Landcruisers/LX470 are over engineered and can handle more than their rated load. To make a long story short, you will be fine to pull your car.

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The truck can tow its rated load and also stop it safely.

However, don't kid yourself. The truck may not be the weak link in the chain of making the towing experience work -- you might be.

If you don't know how to balance a load on a trailer to avoid an overloaded tongue weight or a swaying trailer, start with a smaller load and experiment and seriously consider sway bars.

If you did not choose a trailer with adequate brakes, which are sometimes more than just the legal requirement -- get to know your rig before you pile on the weight at highway speeds.

If you don't know how to corner, panic stop or back-up from a boo-boo, practice.

If you can't match RPM's with HP and you don't have a supercharged engine from TRD, and you pull a heavy load in hilly country, you will be disappointed by the trucks poor performance.

And if you expect the truck to level itself with a heavy tongue load, so you can drive at night with the headlights on the road in someone's eyes -- think again.

Other than that, its a great pulling machine and up to whatever challenge you put to it.

Traveler

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  • 2 weeks later...

well after 1200miles of towing a 3000lb car on a 1500lb autotransport, with the tow car AND the LX loaded down with stuff i must say that towing with the LX470 was effortless and awesome!!

i towed from San Diego, CA to Sun Valley, ID in 100+ degree weather, up long grades, and steep downhills, freeways, and two lane roads without a "hitch", ha! actually i ended up passing many other vehicles in tow as well....in fact i got a ticket for doing 80mph while towing!! (speed crept up on me as its soooooo easy and quiet to tow in the LX)

thanks for all the feedback and thank you Lexus/Toyota for creating such a fine piece of machinery!!

regards,

terry

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