I took the leap.

[RixGX470]

I'd been looking for a tow vehicle to tow my VW Beetle.
When I researched what was in my price range, the 2003-2009 GX470 was high on the list.

The original plan was to pick one up in Oct. or Nov.
However, my daily is spending an extended stay at the mechanic so it moved my time frame up.
On Saturday, I picked up this '07. White with a gray interior. 168k
OME lift. Method wheels.

I'm in So Cal

 

[Rednexus]

Nice, clean rig with tasteful mods! A GX can be a great tow vehicle and should have no problem towing a VW. We've towed our camper many thousands of miles with ours and it's towed other things up close to 6,000#. I would suggest upgrading the transmission cooler to a Hayden 678, as the OEM cooler is under-sized and you may cook the transmission on a long, uphill grade while towing. Installing the transmission cooler is also a good time to do a full transmission fluid exchange. For a brake controller I have a Redarc Tow-Pro Elite and it has also been excellent.

 

[kody472]

Yes to everything Red said. Upgrading the transmission cooler is a must, and it'll be easy to exchange the old fluid out while you're there.

 

[stupidchicken03]

Hello from up north in Sac.

Our 05 is our primary tow vehicle as well. We've got a 3,100 lb camper (dry).
I did a Hayden trans cooler like RN said and a CSF full aluminum radiator at the same time. BIG improvement in temps while towing.

 

[RixGX470]

Nice, clean rig with tasteful mods! A GX can be a great tow vehicle and should have no problem towing a VW. We've towed our camper many thousands of miles with ours and it's towed other things up close to 6,000#. I would suggest upgrading the transmission cooler to a Hayden 678, as the OEM cooler is under-sized and you may cook the transmission on a long, uphill grade while towing. Installing the transmission cooler is also a good time to do a full transmission fluid exchange. For a brake controller I have a Redarc Tow-Pro Elite and it has also been excellent.

That's some great advice. I thought about the trans cooler as, if you're familiar with So Cal, a lot of trips will be over The Grapevine or The Cajon Summit. Both are famous for cooking motors and transmissions.

I'm not familiar with the brake controller. What does it do? I'll be using a U-Haul or similar trailer as I'm only going to be doing this 4-6 a year. It doesn't make sense for me to buy and store a trailer.

 

[Rednexus]

That's some great advice. I thought about the trans cooler as, if you're familiar with So Cal, a lot of trips will be over The Grapevine or The Cajon Summit. Both are famous for cooking motors and transmissions.

I'm not familiar with the brake controller. What does it do? I'll be using a U-Haul or similar trailer as I'm only going to be doing this 4-6 a year. It doesn't make sense for me to buy and store a trailer.

Most trailers have electric brakes that rely on a signal from the tow rig to operate, which the brake controller provides. U-haul and most other rental trailers use mechanical surge brakes, so a controller is not needed. Note that the U-Haul trailers are pretty heavy so you may be up closer to 5,000# when loaded. I usually rent trailers from my local construction/DIY equipment rental yard they have lighter ones than U-Haul offers.

I would still watch your trans temps even with a bigger cooler. If they end up running hot you can also upgrade to an alluminum radiator.

 

[RixGX470]

Most trailers have electric brakes that rely on a signal from the tow rig to operate, which the brake controller provides. U-haul and most other rental trailers use mechanical surge brakes, so a controller is not needed. Note that the U-Haul trailers are pretty heavy so you may be up closer to 5,000# when loaded. I usually rent trailers from my local construction/DIY equipment rental yard they have lighter ones than U-Haul offers.

I would still watch your trans temps even with a bigger cooler. If they end up running hot you can also upgrade to an alluminum radiator.

Thank you. I'll check what my trailer renting options are. I thought of U-Haul because they're about a half mile away from me. I'm sure there are better options now that I think about it.

Rick