r2m
Richard
Love the trailer!
Gx460 as a tow vehicle (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter buellfire
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Hi folks, this thread is super helpful. I'm planning to tow a cargo trailer for our out of state move with my GX460 and a lot of input here is spot on. I think my total weight of trailer will be around 5k lbs, which it seems like most people are saying around upper limit of what they would tow with GX. I'm planning to instal weight distribution hitch with sway control and my trailer has electric brakes on both axels. This thread brought up a few questions though, that I would be very greatful of somebody could help me answer or nudge into where to read more.
Here they are:
1. I was under impression that GX has everything for towing since it has 7 pin connector, but it sounds like I should additionally install Redarc brake controller. Do I get it right that this is what none of GX has by default and I should install it anyway?
2. It sounds like a lot of people recommend installing additional cooling for transmission. Is it difficult to do? Where could I learn more?
3. Can you pleae tell me more about driving on locked gear—I'm not familiar with it. Also, any advise on driving up and down hill would be extremly helpful. For the context we are planning to drive from CA to TN on I40.
4. Is there anything else I should know/think about?
Here they are:
1. I was under impression that GX has everything for towing since it has 7 pin connector, but it sounds like I should additionally install Redarc brake controller. Do I get it right that this is what none of GX has by default and I should install it anyway?
2. It sounds like a lot of people recommend installing additional cooling for transmission. Is it difficult to do? Where could I learn more?
3. Can you pleae tell me more about driving on locked gear—I'm not familiar with it. Also, any advise on driving up and down hill would be extremly helpful. For the context we are planning to drive from CA to TN on I40.
4. Is there anything else I should know/think about?
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r2m
Richard
Concerning the trans cooler, if this is about your only trailer haul, I wouldn't worry about and just take it easy.
I'd be more apt to add a tranny cooler if I were always towing a large boat, RV trailer or hauling heavy loads.
But one trip cross country shouldn't be an issue, but as I said, take it easy and stay single digits above the speed limits not double digits especially on long grades, like going over the continental divide. Actually, you may want to go slower than the speed limit on that hill.
I'd be more apt to add a tranny cooler if I were always towing a large boat, RV trailer or hauling heavy loads.
But one trip cross country shouldn't be an issue, but as I said, take it easy and stay single digits above the speed limits not double digits especially on long grades, like going over the continental divide. Actually, you may want to go slower than the speed limit on that hill.
Thanks a lot for your thoughts. I absolutely was planning not to go over speed limit and perhaps even a little under it. Even when I was driving with an empty trailer I felt more comfortable at 60mph than at 65. We will probably drive through entire route within 6 days/5 nights, so we will not be rushing anywhere. We will also take safety for speed any time.
The trailer brake controller is useful but only if you're towing a trailer with electric brakes that can utilize the system. I never bothered with a tranny cooler on the last two GX's and they both towed 5000lbs a few times. If you plan to tow that weight regularly then I'd look into adding it.
Not really, I think I will tow it just once, at worst perhaps another time if for some reason we will have to move out of TN. Yours and Richard's comments above make me feel good about not needing tranny cooler right now.
Re. brake controller—unfortunately, I have no idea whether my brakes can utilize it, so I will have to check. Thanks a lot for pointing that out as I thought that all brakes on trailers are the same.
@Tex68w I've looked into my trailer brakes and they seem to be electric on both axels powered by 12V and having breakaway kit. Am I correct to assume that as long as brakes are electric they will be compatible? Or are there different kinds of electric brakes and some will be compatible while others will not?
An electric brake controller provides a signal to the trailer brakes via the OEM Lexus harness and the 7-pin connector. So yes, they are pretty much universal. For a single tow you can probably get by with a cheaper controller than a Redarc, although I have a Redarc and really like it. FWIW, most trailers with a GVWR of 3,000# and above usually come with electric brakes. Rental trailers like UHauls often come with a hydraulic brakes that aren't electric and require no communication with the vehicle and no brake controller.
Regarding the transmission cooler, I would get an OBDII-bluetooth adapter and monitor your trans temp via TorquePro as you drive. If you see it start climbing above 220F or so, it's probably a good idea to take some action to cool it off.
Regarding the transmission cooler, I would get an OBDII-bluetooth adapter and monitor your trans temp via TorquePro as you drive. If you see it start climbing above 220F or so, it's probably a good idea to take some action to cool it off.
There's also electric over hydraulic brakes as well. They tend to be found on military and boat trailers. Like @Rednexus I too have the Redarc controller and prefer it over everything else on the market. While it is pricier than most every other option out there it is a much cleaner install and we are only talking $50-100 more which is more than worth it IMHO.
IMO: I would monitor your AT temps via OBD. You can leverage this data to slow down or keep vehicle AT in lock up to keep the temps down. Fairly trivial to add an AT cooler... if not I would make sure you are keeping up on AT fluid maintenance.
IMO: Stock is one thing but adding weight, tires, air drag/height... one might as well be towing.
I use OBD Link since I have used it for like 4 years and seems like a portable Techstream for codes. Reads most ECUs in vehicle and can also work with TPMS. It works well on the 460
IMO: Stock is one thing but adding weight, tires, air drag/height... one might as well be towing.
I use OBD Link since I have used it for like 4 years and seems like a portable Techstream for codes. Reads most ECUs in vehicle and can also work with TPMS. It works well on the 460
Hi Acrad, it is nice to meet you, I've actually done a lot of my maintanance following your posts on clublexus, thanks a lot for all the posts.
Also, thanks a lot for the recommendation on the OBD, I've actually looked into that before but struggled to fine one that would work well with iOS, it seems like the one you are recommending works well.
Re. AT lock up. Do I understand it correctly, that to do that I should move the transmisstion shifter into the "S" position and hold it on the hear that will feel most suitable (most likely gear 4 if I won't be driving too fast). Is this how I also drive downhill? By putting it into lower gear before hill starts going down and getting some braking with the engine to ease on the brakes and not to get them overheat? I didn't have many opporunities in life driving in the hills as I've almost always lived in the flatish landscape.
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll look into this brake controler as well.
I agree. It seems like Redarc Liberty would fit my needs and it costs around $135 new, so it is not too bad so if there is a consensus it is really well made, I totally agree that I would rather pay a little extra for a great product.
It sounds like the Elite unit is the one you want if you plan to tow off-road but if all you are going to do is tow a trailer down the highway then the Liberty saves you a ton of money. The Liberty is a new unit, it wasn't out when I installed mine.
Liberty vs. Elite - A Tow-Pro Comparison
Over the years, electric trailer brake controllers have evolved from being a somewhat clunky box to smart, sleek systems, hidden away under the dash. With the release of the Tow-Pro Liberty, REDARC are here to talk you through choosing the best electric brake controller for you.
redarcelectronics.com
Bang Bang
Age is a state of mind.
I got the Elite for the versatility and off road towing over the Liberty. Found it on Amazon for $185 so not that much more than the Liberty and with the Redarc plug and play connector it's a breeze to install. Haven't had an opportunity to test it out yet but looking forward to a trip in a couple weeks. And I didn't feel unsafe without it but I know it will help with wear and tear on the GX brakes (and the trailer has brakes so why not put them to use).
r2m
Richard
Yes to how to shift into a locked gear and yes to keeping it in that gear for engine braking on downhills.
On mountain twisty roads I use this sport mode (pulling the shifter to the left) and using it like a sequential shifter, up for lower gears, down for higher gears. It makes it feel a little more like a sports car (if that's possible with the way I'm built out...). But yes I also use it on long grades or when off roading I'll shift in to 1st or 2nd for a more controlled descent when I'm still moving too fast to use the DAC.
In short, spend some time playing with the shifter when driving, e.g.: downshift when coming to a red light, or up shifting, down hill grades, going into corners without using your brakes, whatever! Sometimes it's almost like a game to avoid using my brakes and just shifting up and down to trim my speed, especially on twisty roads.
There are protections built in so you don't have to worry about blowing up your transmission if you downshift when going too fast.
Hope this helps!
Thanks everybody for your thoughts and comments, they were extremly helpful. To sum up what I went with:
1. I have ordered a Redarc break controller and will install it next week
2. I've ordered sway control weight distribution hitch to help against potential high winds
3. I've played with empty trailer and manual "S" gearbox and I think I got a hold of it. I used to drive a lot of manual transmission so this was pretty easy to get.
4. I will order an OBDLink as Acrad suggested to monitor the transmission fluid temperature but decided for one time towing installing additional radiator is probably an overkill (like many of you suggested).
Thanks again to you all, and if anything else comes to mind—please don't hesitate to share.
1. I have ordered a Redarc break controller and will install it next week
2. I've ordered sway control weight distribution hitch to help against potential high winds
3. I've played with empty trailer and manual "S" gearbox and I think I got a hold of it. I used to drive a lot of manual transmission so this was pretty easy to get.
4. I will order an OBDLink as Acrad suggested to monitor the transmission fluid temperature but decided for one time towing installing additional radiator is probably an overkill (like many of you suggested).
Thanks again to you all, and if anything else comes to mind—please don't hesitate to share.
