Heavy towing

[sailor95]

So ive been getting my ski boat ready to get in the water and just got new tires on the trailer and batteries charged etc. Im wondering about how my LX will holdup to towing it 80 miles or so. My dad and I figure it weighs close to 6k on the Trailer. Has anyone towed this close to the max tow rating? Is there anything I should check before dropping this beast on the back of my hundy? Just don't wanna ruin something when I could just borrow my dads F250 to tow it but switching cars is a hassle because we live in different cities which is why im curious to try it with the LX. Boat is a 23ft celebrity bowrider with a 454 on a tandem axle trailer that has surge brakes.

 

[FastCarGuy]

If you have the AHC you will need an equalizer hitch. At least on an earlier LX I used to tow a car trailer and the rear sagged and the dash lite indicated it was in the "lo" setting. An equalizer hitch transferred the weight and problem solved.

 

[Layonnn]

If you have the AHC you will need an equalizer hitch. At least on an earlier LX I used to tow a car trailer and the rear sagged and the dash lite indicated it was in the "lo" setting. An equalizer hitch transferred the weight and problem solved.

Can't put a load equalizing hitch on most boat trailers as they have surge brakes. The tongue of the trailer needs to be able to slide back and forth.

 

[WiscoProud]

I asked a similar question the other week, but regarding campers. The key is going to be the tongue weight. If you have over 550lbs you'll need a weight distributing hitch. If you're right around that weight, I would suggest airbags as well.

What year is your LX? If its pre-2003, you have a tough time. The extra gear in the 2003+ goes a long ways.

 

[sailor95]

Yea im a 2000 with the 4speed sadly, sounds like I need to borrow the big truck to tow then, im glad I asked though, im pretty high mileage at 330k so I don't wanna ruin my vehicle, im trying to see 500k atleast

 

[FastCarGuy]

Can't put a load equalizing hitch on most boat trailers as they have surge brakes. The tongue of the trailer needs to be able to slide back and forth.

Thanks, forgot about that. The only trailers I have towed had electric brakes.

 

[yamoto78]

So I actually work for Equalizer hitch. What you are saying about surge breaks is true for most weight distribution hitches that use chains. However, Equalizer and Fastway e2 hitches use brackets. This allows for the movements you mentioned. We also make what is called a Pole Tongue Adaptor. The PTA is designed to fit on most boat trailers and allows for easier connection when using an equalizer hitch or e2 hitch. Based on your specs listed, if you're interested I recommend an 8,000K e2. If you are worried about sway, I would step up to the Equalizer hitch in the same size. It has more points of contact than the e2 and therefore a little better sway control. Both devices can be used in any weather, whether moving forward or in reverse.

 

[Layonnn]

So I actually work for Equalizer hitch. What you are saying about surge breaks is true for most weight distribution hitches that use chains. However, Equalizer and Fastway e2 hitches use brackets. This allows for the movements you mentioned. We also make what is called a Pole Tongue Adaptor. The PTA is designed to fit on most boat trailers and allows for easier connection when using an equalizer hitch or e2 hitch. Based on your specs listed, if you're interested I recommend an 8,000K e2. If you are worried about sway, I would step up to the Equalizer hitch in the same size. It has more points of contact than the e2 and therefore a little better sway control. Both devices can be used in any weather, whether moving forward or in reverse.

Can you provide some links or literature that show that it is recommended for surge brakes?

 

[slowmo]

If your load is around 6k lbs, that ain't a "ski" boat!

I used my stock '02 LC to tow our 21ft bow rider (~3500 lbs + trailer) when we first bought the boat. Several trips of 150 miles on highway and interstate to or from the dealer for the original date of pickup and then later to return for major service years later. The LC was fine for those sporadic trips but you certainly knew the boat was behind you.

We since added a 5.7L Tundra and that is used for any rare towing.

If we had to tow the boat routinely, I would have wanted a more appropriate vehicle. But the LC handled those few trips OK. YMMV if you're towing a 25ft Malibu but, if so, why ain't you driving a new 200?

 

[taco47001]

IMO you're grossly over estimating the weight of your boat. You're probably a lot closer to 3500lbs.... your truck will be fine in its stock form.

 

[Spike555]

Take the boat and trailer and have it weighed, truck stops have scales, scrap yards, landfills...most charge $15 to weigh something for you, then you'll know for 100%.

 

[Riviera]

Take the boat and trailer and have it weighed, truck stops have scales, scrap yards, landfills...most charge $15 to weigh something for you, then you'll know for 100%.

I agree, then you know exactly what you have. If you live some place rural, a lot of smaller grain elevators also have scales and don't mind weighing something if it's not their busy season.

 

[87warrior]

I do not believe @sailor95 is grossly overestimating the boat weight. In any case it is certainly better to overestimate trailer weight, especially when the tow vehicle has +300k miles on it.

Occasionally I pull my '87 Malibu Sunsetter with my (stock) 1999 LC. The boat is 3,000lbs loaded and the tandem axle trailer is 1,700lbs, or 4,700lbs total. I imagine a ski boat with more freeboard, possibly ballast/tower, and a big block could be knocking on 6,000lbs. I believe some of the newest Malibu wakeboats are tipping the scales at 9,000lbs with trailer.

The Cruiser squats more than I'd like with the Sunsetter hitched, but does fine on county roads limited to 55mph around the lake. The 4speed does seem a bit sluggish, but I am not demanding much from it when pulling the load. I do use 4lo at the ramp to take advantage of the lower ratio. It's probably not necessary, but it makes me feel better. If I was planning to drive faster or long distances, airbags in the rear would be a must.

 

[sailor95]

Yea from where the boat sits right now it's about a 75 mile pull to the lake. It's gotta be close to 6k lbs because when it's on back of our diesel 250 it is definitely noticeable to pull and to make that thing flinch is pretty substantial. I wonder if a rear airbag kit and a set of slotted/drilled rotors would make it more reasonable to pull with the Lexus

 

[cwmoser]

Course you could live in ignorance like me. My 2002 LX470 pulls our Rpod 180 camper just fine.
Weights approx 3,000 lb dry.
I drive my LX with OD enabled on flat land, OD off for hills.
My 4-speed tranny does just fine ... like to see how much better the 5-speed is.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I pull our boat (5000#+) regularly with AHC. I set it up AHC pressures to pull the boat using rear air bags with zero issue. Using the same system I have pull a much larger trailer with an equalizer hitch. I had no problem but a little too much for the Lexus IMO with 850# of tongue weight.

 

[ETXLX450F]

I'd also recommend regearing to 4.88s with the 4-speed if you run larger than stock tires and want to tow.

I'm putting 5.29s in my 99 100 so I can run 35"s and tow 3k-4k lbs every week for work.

The 4-speed leaves much to be desired with its higher 1st gear and constant down-shifting.

Power Stop brakes are also affordable and make a night and day difference. Highly recommend even for daily driving.

 

[sailor95]

@LandCruiserPhil how hard was the rear airbag install? I'm very interested in that addition to my rear

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

@LandCruiserPhil how hard was the rear airbag install? I'm very interested in that addition to my rear

Very straight forward several threads on the installation.

 

[Layonnn]

I'd also recommend regearing to 4.88s with the 4-speed if you run larger than stock tires and want to tow.

I'm putting 5.29s in my 99 100 so I can run 35"s and tow 3k-4k lbs every week for work.

The 4-speed leaves much to be desired with its higher 1st gear and constant down-shifting.

Power Stop brakes are also affordable and make a night and day difference. Highly recommend even for daily driving.

I would be a large sum of money if they could figure out a way to install the 5spd into a pre-03.
Hmmm maybe i should make a kit and sell it myself then... haha