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

[Bluetribal]

So I am a little bummed out. Today I installed the factory Lexus tow hitch (PT228-60540) and I ran into an issue with the trailer plug bracket being in the way of the hitch. I knew this would be the case for an aftermarket hitch because I saw it in a YouTube video an their solution was to just zip tie it to the hitch tube. This ended up being my solution right now but something must be different for these two items to not work with each other! I would love to see pics of others who had a hitch from the dealer to see if the bracket is different.

Discontinued Part No.

Used OEM town hitch in excellent shape. I don't think it was ever used.

Specs

And here is the issue WTF! Even if I trim the bracket the flap cover would not be able to open.

So after a visit to the Lexus dealer to figure out if there was a separate bracket part number we thought we had it but not 100% sure. So with the part number on hand I went to my favorite online Lexus Parts sites and one was a strike out and then Lexus Parts Now had it and a pic of a diagram that looked like the right part and for about $11 less than the dealer so I took a chance on it.
Came in the mail today and we have a winner!
So for those of you who pick up a used factory tow hitch without a bracket you will want to pick up this part as well for a nice clean install.
PT228-89440-BK

 

[jonshonda]

Getting ready to tow for the first time using our curt round bar weight dist setup. I had previously used the wdh on our 11 Sienna, but because we are now using the GX I had to change A LOT of things up. I needed to buy a new drop shank as the one from our Sienna wouldn't go low enough. Because the new drop shank had a brace between the vertical and horizontal parts CURT Manufacturing - CURT Weight Distribution Shank #17120, the ball was physically 4-5" further away from the truck. Not a big deal until I realized the 7-pin plug/chains/break-away didn't reach.

So a trip to the local supply store and a little bit lighter wallet, and I had a new 7-pin harness, new custom length chains, and a accordion break away cord, and we "should" be ready to go. I can't hit the scales this weekend to see if the wdh is setup correctly, but the plan is to put the AHC in H, attached the spring bars, then lower the AHC to N. Hitting the scales will be the only way to tell if I am putting enough weight back on the front axle.

I mounted (2) 20lb propane tanks and (2) 86lb batteries on the tongue, so the GX will need a fair amount of help to keep her road manners in check. With 23 gallons of water on board, (3) bikes on the roof, and all our sh!t packed.....I will interested to see how much it weighs.

 

[Bluetribal]

Maybe I missed it in an earlier post but what size trailer will you be towing and how far?

 

[jonshonda]

Maybe I missed it in an earlier post but what size trailer will you be towing and how far?

You didn't miss anything, I just wanted you to guess!! haha

Just towing a 2008 Jayco 12HW pop-up. 2,750 lbs unloaded, guessing closer to 3,500 loaded. Not going far this weekend, but it will be in service for the next 4 weekends and this was the first trip out for the year. Life has been VERY VERY busy for us lately, and it has been a big push for me to complete all the projects I wanted to have done for camping this wknd.

Basically I have been updating all the safety equipment on the camper (smoke & CO/Propane alarms, fire extinguisher), adding additional batteries and remote charging terminals, and disconnect switch. It doesn't look like I've done much, but I've got a lot of hours into this thing. Its a labor of love though.

 

[diggs]

My wife and I have started looking for a travel trailer to go on some adventures with our newborn and our dogs. Figure we'll stay under 20' in length. I am still on stock airbags in the rear with 125k miles - kind of figured they'd have failed by now but they're still going. Are any of you towing with the original suspension or is everyone on coil springs? I'd like to determine what the differences in handling are between the two setups when towing, and if I should go ahead and do the conversion now as opposed to waiting for the airbags to bite the dust.

 

[Sleepy]

Stock air bags are pretty awesome for towing in my experience. I have towed a lot of miles with no issues. Nothing much over 3,000 lbs. Had a lot of tongue weight on my last road trip with two motorcycles in a utility trailer and no problem.

 

[D21FJ60]

I have been following this thread and haven't seen it mentioned, but how bad is it opening the swing out door while hooked up? Considering a Prado when the time comes but this could be an issue as I anticipate towing a trailer and potentially a 20 something foot boat. Guess the ultimate question is how wide is the door?

 

[GXO]

I added a 14" hitch extension for my trailer and I clear the tongue box just barely, have to pivot just a touch.

 

[NMBruce]

Mine clears find, but my MetalTech rear swing arm doesnt

 

[Nothinghead]

I have been following this thread and haven't seen it mentioned, but how bad is it opening the swing out door while hooked up? Considering a Prado when the time comes but this could be an issue as I anticipate towing a trailer and potentially a 20 something foot boat. Guess the ultimate question is how wide is the door?

I get about 45° open when my door hits the LP bottles on my airstream which is fine by me. The problem with receiver extensions is that it moves the tongue weight farther back from the rear axle which amplifies the severity and risk of trailer sway (aka: the tail wagging the dog).

 

[Bluetribal]

I don’t think that’s too much of a concern with @DanKunz little rear drop size trailer.

 

[Nothinghead]

I don’t think that’s too much of a concern with @DanKunz little rear drop size trailer.

Of course. It might be with a 20’ boat though.

 

[GXO]

Yeah, my little trailer doesn't sway. It is about 2400 completely full and soaking wet.

 

[Bluetribal]

My Firestone air bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T7ZOKU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_vpMfqZNAURyXw
came in yesterday and peaking at the directions I was surprised to see that they recommend removing 4 of the 5 sections of the upper isolator cone! I would have thought 2-3 at most. Any experience with this I would love to hear your opinion.

 

[Bluetribal]

Place holder for more photos of Firestone bag install.

 

[Bluetribal]

I am going to see if this little skid helps save some major rash to my stock hitch in Moab.

CURT 31007 Hitch-Mounted Skid Shield https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YFNXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_GqELVzC1lqqXF

 

[Lifted]

I only saw one mention of it but I am curious. The owners manual says all towing should be done in 4th gear/overdrive off. Is this how everyone does it? I have a small 8 foot utility trailer I use for car detailing. The GX handles it like it’s not even there but man the gas mileage goes way down in 4th.......can you use overdrive cruising at freeway speeds?

 

[Cringe]

I only saw one mention of it but I am curious. The owners manual says all towing should be done in 4th gear/overdrive off. Is this how everyone does it? I have a small 8 foot utility trailer I use for car detailing. The GX handles it like it’s not even there but man the gas mileage goes way down in 4th.......can you use overdrive cruising at freeway speeds?

I have a small 8' open utility trailer I use to haul a lawn mower, and a larger (18' I think) trailer I borrowed while I am doing some remodeling. I've towed the 18' loaded down with cabinets, fencing, and assorted debris without using 4th and it was no trouble at all. I just threw it in drive and went. That small trailer is not enough of a load to warrant down-shifting, unless you have one of those 275 gallon IBC totes on it full of water.

The tote is 135 pounds by itself, full of water its up to 2,335 pounds, not counting the trailer or anything else. The usual 8' wood-decked utility trailers are rated for around 2,995 pounds in most cases. A full load of water and detailing gear (extractor/vacuum/supplies) would put you close to the max weight, and I am not sure about tongue weight either.

I keep saying a full tote because half-full will slosh around, and the GX doesn't have enough ass to make me feel comfortable towing around 1200 pounds of constantly shifting weight at speed. When I was younger and my family was still farming I towed an ag spray trailer from time to time that was around 10,000 pounds of pesticide/herbicide. Full, it was heavy and you knew you were pulling some weight. Half-empty taught me to respect it. I went around an s-bend in the road and nearly putting truck and trailer into the ditch from the sloshing. Maybe today they have baffles in the tanks to keep it from sloshing around so much.

 

[intoodeep1113]

Finally towed for the first time this weekend. I have an 07 that I added a Draw-Tite receiver to. Not a very long haul, just about 30 miles round trip. I towed a 20' boat which weighs about 4500lbs loaded. I have the stock suspension which handled extremely well. Quite a difference from towing the same load with my 3rd gen 4runner! That extra 100 ft-lbs of torque really helps out! I ended up getting 11-12MPG while towing

 

[elprup87]

Bring an old thread up as I couldn't seem to find my question elsewhere.

For an 03 with just the pintle style hitch: How did you address the wiring when installing a IV hitch and no plug was there before? We are gearing up for some trailer pulling for work and I am now tasked with researching.