All things Towing thread, weight, trailer type, etc..

[IanB]

I have searched for a detailed write-up, preferably with pics, with not much success on here or other places. Has anyone found a good step by step on the DIY drain and fill? I have a 06 with 182k. Thanks!

Instructions: Complete 100% trans flush with filter change - Club Lexus Forums

My experiences towing have been with a 2 place snowmobile trailer with salt shied, fully loaded probably around 2000lbs. With the salt shield it tows like a parachute, trailer extends about 8" wider than the GX on both sides which doesn't help. I've got one size larger rubber on ours, and the taller gearing doesn't help either, I found I could only travel about 105km/h before the trans would start hunting for gears due to wind resistance, it's pretty flat where I live. Mine is an '04, so a bit less power than the '05+, but I found my HDJ81 towed the same trailer much nicer overall.

 

[Sherlocker]

Thanks!

 

[Nothinghead]

Spoke to the lexus dealer and they said changing out the tranny fluid is a "very involved process" They said they have to hook up a diagnostic tool to the ECU and monitor tranny temp before and during the changing of the fluid. They stated there was no need to change it at all and said do not ever flush it! They wanted $400 to do it if I insisted on it being done. I called another Toyota dealer and they said all the same things but only charged $200. Makes me nervous to do it myself now.
Whatch yall think?

Did you end up doing this? Who did you take it to because Peterson Lexus IS still very expensive.

 

[Bluetribal]

I would like to revive this thread because I need to get a hitch for my GX before a trip in June where we will need to haul 7 people and the luggage to and from San Diego and LAX. So I will also be buying one of those hitch cargo baskets to carry the luggage.

I don't just want to get the four bolt OEM hitch or the SSO Lil Hitch because I hope after our trip to start the hung for a 16'-18' travel trailer.

I don't want to just go with the cheapest things I find on Amazo.

So looking for what aftermarket hitches you guys have gotten.

What brake booster kits you have installed for those of you towing some heavier loads.


FYI currently on stock suspension but have aquired the MT spring conversion kit, ordered the Toyota spring isolator'a on Amazon, picked up some lightly used 2" lift springs from a forum member and hope to get Fox front struts and rear shocks in April.

 

[jonshonda]

My suggestion would be to get a hitch from uhaul or Curt Manufacturing. I say Uhaul cuz Curt makes them for Uhaul. Easy to install, which would give you the 6500lb towing capacity of the truck.

I would also do the Metal Tech spring conversion kit, and don't know if there are different spring options for stock ride height that might be better for towing. Mark @ Metal Tech would be able to tell you more. They make airbag kits that help level the vehicle with heavy loads, and are filled via an air compressor.

We have a Curt Manufacturing brake controller and harness, which allows you to simply plug the brake controller into your factory harness. There are a lot of brake controllers out there, so research is helpful. Look at Curt's website for their controllers and harness.

 

[Bluetribal]

Yes I do plan to do the spring conversion and have most of the parts already. I am doing a 2" lift so I think I will need to look into longer firestone bags and I believe you have to trim the rubber, Toyota spring isolator so it's not as pointy.

 

[The Great Him]

went over the scales last weekend with my GX towing a dump trailer, they weighed me in at 10,940lbs. i kept the truck out of over drive, and i also have a trailer brake controller (prodigy P3). it was definitely noticeable back there but was not scary or nerve-wracking, but then again i do have some towing experience. i also took the same trailer on about a 55 mile one way trip -freeway, city streets, neighborhoods, county roads ect. and never had any issues.

 

[jonshonda]

Hit the scales with my 235lb sexy body, full tank of gas, small 20lb tool kit, and 50lb bike rack. 5300lbs.

 

[Bluetribal]

So a visit to eTrailer.com offered up two aftermarket receivers that will bolt right up to the GX470

Draw-Tite Class III Max Frame Round Tube - $153.95
600 lb Tongue Weight | 6,000 lb towing capacity | 730 lb Weight Dist. Tongue Wt. | 7,300 Weight Dist. towing capcacity

Curt Class III Round Tube - $149.95
500 lb Tongue Weight | 5,00 lb towing capacity | 500 lb Weight Dist. Tongue Wt. | 5,500 Weight Dist. towing capcacity

Now to read up on the difference between proportional brake controllers and time delayed brake controllers.
Brake Controllers - Proportional or Timed Delayed?

 

[burtoncr]

I would buy the OEM 3 point hitch. It is not the small OEM pintle hitch. The 3 point is the newer, higher tow capacity one (6500lbs). It bolts to the frame rails AND the center of the bumper beam. The aftermarket hitches (Curt and Drawtite) only bolt to the frame rails.

Tow Hitch, Class Iv - Lexus (PT228-60540) | Lexus of Eng

 

[The Great Him]

I would buy the OEM 3 point hitch. It is not the small OEM pintle hitch. The 3 point is the newer, higher tow capacity one (6500lbs). It bolts to the frame rails AND the center of the bumper beam. The aftermarket hitches (Curt and Drawtite) only bolt to the frame rails.

Tow Hitch, Class Iv - Lexus (PT228-60540) | Lexus of Eng

This!

 

[Bluetribal]

I would buy the OEM 3 point hitch. It is not the small OEM pintle hitch. The 3 point is the newer, higher tow capacity one (6500lbs). It bolts to the frame rails AND the center of the bumper beam. The aftermarket hitches (Curt and Drawtite) only bolt to the frame rails.

Tow Hitch, Class Iv - Lexus (PT228-60540) | Lexus of Eng

Huh! I did not realize that it attached in all three locations. Good info! But then this might get in the way when I eventually get a rear bumper.

 

[Bluetribal]

So the brake controllers is a no brainer to go with a Proportional for a trailer with the weight of a travel trailer.

 

[jonshonda]

So the brake controllers is a no brainer to go with a Proportional for a trailer with the weight of a travel trailer.

Idk about that. I use a Curt Discovery Time activated brake controller and like it. You can dial in how much brake force is applied by the trailer brakes, when they activate, and how sensitive they are. I haven't used a proportional so I cannot offer an opinion on it.

 

[Bluetribal]

Per the article I linked above the Proportional will exactly simulate your brake pedal pressure. They do cost a bit more than the time delay controllers and you have to mount the controller brain a specific way front to back on your vehicle.

 

[Bluetribal]

I finally found this thread again about rear spring helper bags so I am going to add it here to the all things towing thread.

air bags removed, what about towing heavy loads?

 

[JLee]

Huh! I did not realize that it attached in all three locations. Good info! But then this might get in the way when I eventually get a rear bumper.

MetalTech's rear bumper's integral hitch is rated for 6500lbs.

 

[Cringe]

I have the factory pintle hitch sitting in the garage waiting on me to get off my butt and install it. The only thing I had intended to tow was a single-axle utility trailer to haul around my mower or some lumber. The wife is interested in travel trailers again, great timing since I just got rid of my truck! Will the factory pintle hitch play nice with a sway control/load leveling hitch?

 

[Nothinghead]

I have the factory pintle hitch sitting in the garage waiting on me to get off my butt and install it. The only thing I had intended to tow was a single-axle utility trailer to haul around my mower or some lumber. The wife is interested in travel trailers again, great timing since I just got rid of my truck! Will the factory pintle hitch play nice with a sway control/load leveling hitch?

No. You want those two extra attachments points on the frame. I think the owners manual state such. Also, pulling a TT you'll want a trans cooler which is part of the factory tow package.

 

[JLee]

No. You want those two extra attachments points on the frame. I think the owners manual state such. Also, pulling a TT you'll want a trans cooler which is part of the factory tow package.

My GX came with no hitch of any kind and no 7-pin wiring connector, but still has a transmission cooler.