Possibly purchasing a 2022 gx460 premium plus. TOW question (14 Viewers)

[Pennwestmechanic]

I now 6500# max tow and a class 4 hitch 800# tw.
New guy here!
I have a Cherokee grey work 19rr 4k plus dry with est 600# tongue weight.

Currently have 2023 tundra but due to age and the wifes medical issues I need to down size as getting in and out of a *truck* is really becoming a problem. Found a good deal on a 2022 gx460 with factory tow package.
Always ran a wdh and friction sway with all my previous setups just want some good input from current owners with this or close to set up.
1.Lucky to tow once a year if life allows us.
2.I need a brake controller
3.mirror extenders

We havnt used the trailer for 3 years due to life and we're hoping to try to see if this year will be better.and can the gx460 do it?

Thanks

 

[Rednexus]

It should tow it, but that isn't a setup I'd want to tow for a long distance. For a shorter trip with a dialed WDH setup, once a year, it will do it. The dual axles will help a lot with stability, but you'll notice the trailer a lot more than with the Tundra.

I would add an upgraded trans cooler to the rig if you get it.

 

[jdam]

Has she tried to get in and sit in it? I don't think the seat heights and ergonomics are really any better than the Tundra in terms of getting in and out of the thing...

 

[r2m]

A GX is a great rig! Although, something that big, you may want to add a transmission cooler, especially if you'll be towing over any mountain ranges and long grades. There's a lot of folks on this forum that tow and I'm sure will have much to say. Also, get something that can read in real time your transmission temperatures. Something along the lines of Scanguage, or OBDII BlueTooth dongle that reads off your cell phone via a free app. I can give you more info if you're interested in the OBDII BlueTooth method.
Wish you the best in your decision!

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

Has she tried to get in and sit in it? I don't think the seat heights and ergonomics are really any better than the Tundra in terms of getting in and out of the thing...

Yes and it is lower than my current 23 tundra.
I can step right out.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

A GX is a great rig! Although, something that big, you may want to add a transmission cooler, especially if you'll be towing over any mountain ranges and long grades. There's a lot of folks on this forum that tow and I'm sure will have much to say. Also, get something that can read in real time your transmission temperatures. Something along the lines of Scanguage, or OBDII BlueTooth dongle that reads off your cell phone via a free app. I can give you more info if you're interested in the OBDII BlueTooth method.
Wish you the best in your decision!

Thanks, I'll keep than in mind.

 

[23GXOR]

I would not want to tow anything that heavy and large at highway speeds with a GX, WDH or not. A moderate crosswind and that trailer will be driving you.

 

[Arailt]

I now 6500# max tow and a class 4 hitch 800# tw.
New guy here!
I have a Cherokee grey work 19rr 4k plus dry with est 600# tongue weight.

Currently have 2023 tundra but due to age and the wifes medical issues I need to down size as getting in and out of a *truck* is really becoming a problem. Found a good deal on a 2022 gx460 with factory tow package.
Always ran a wdh and friction sway with all my previous setups just want some good input from current owners with this or close to set up.
1.Lucky to tow once a year if life allows us.
2.I need a brake controller
3.mirror extenders

We havnt used the trailer for 3 years due to life and we're hoping to try to see if this year will be better.and can the gx460 do it?

Thanks

View attachment 3814351

Is that near Grove City?

I towed a 7x12 dual axle trailer the other day. It was probably 3-3.5k loaded. The GX did great. I could hardly tell I was pulling a trailer. All local roads though... and very flat in Texas compared to PA.

 

[Rednexus]

I would not want to tow anything that heavy and large at highway speeds with a GX, WDH or not. A moderate crosswind and that trailer will be driving you.

Not my experience towing a 5,000 pound, tandem axle, 17' enclosed trailer - even without WDH or sway control. Lots of people tow trailers that big with GXs. I have a smaller camper - on purpose - but would tow that camper listed by the OP with my rig without thinking twice about it.

If you are getting excessive trailer sway with moderate cross-winds it's usually a hitch issue (too much or not enough tongue weight, too much or too little weight transfer, hitch set too high or too low, or the trailer loaded unevenly). I would say 60%+ of the hitch setups I see folks using to pull campers are set up very poorly, regardless of the type of tow rig. Trailer sagging or riding too high, WDH bars not close to level, etc. I joke with my wife that I should offer a training class on hitch setup at campgrounds.

It was interesting the day we towed our TrailManor home from the dealer. I was zipping down I-24 in Kentucky going 70 mph, stable as can be. We passed a F150 towing a trailer about like the one posted above - with FL plates. He was going 55 mph and the trailer was super twitchy and swaying a lot. You could tell the driver was scared. He had the rear hitch probably 6-8" higher than it should have been, so almost no tongue weight, no WDH, no sway control. Me blowing by him safely wasn't due to my GX being a better tow rig than a F150 - the F150 is certainly a superior tow vehicle - it was due to whoever hooked that camper up to the F150 having poor understanding and execution of hitch setup.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

Is that near Grove City?

I towed a 7x12 dual axle trailer the other day. It was probably 3-3.5k loaded. The GX did great. I could hardly tell I was pulling a trailer. All local roads though... and very flat in Texas compared to PA.

Bingo!!

 

[Arailt]

Bingo!!

Haha that red barn looked familiar. I grew up in Pittsburgh. Had friends that went to Grove City and Slippery Rock.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

Not my experience towing a 5,000 pound, tandem axle, 17' enclosed trailer - even without WDH or sway control. Lots of people tow trailers that big with GXs. I have a smaller camper - on purpose - but would tow that camper listed by the OP with my rig without thinking twice about it.

If you are getting excessive trailer sway with moderate cross-winds it's usually a hitch issue (too much or not enough tongue weight, too much or too little weight transfer, hitch set too high or too low, or the trailer loaded unevenly). I would say 60%+ of the hitch setups I see folks using to pull campers are set up very poorly, regardless of the type of tow rig. Trailer sagging or riding too high, WDH bars not close to level, etc. I joke with my wife that I should offer a training class on hitch setup at campgrounds.

It was interesting the day we towed our TrailManor home from the dealer. I was zipping down I-24 in Kentucky going 70 mph, stable as can be. We passed a F150 towing a trailer about like the one posted above - with FL plates. He was going 55 mph and the trailer was super twitchy and swaying a lot. You could tell the driver was scared. He had the rear hitch probably 6-8" higher than it should have been, so almost no tongue weight, no WDH, no sway control. Me blowing by him safely wasn't due to my GX being a better tow rig than a F150 - the F150 is certainly a superior tow vehicle - it was due to whoever hooked that camper up to the F150 having poor understanding and execution of hitch setup.

Thanks for the info.
Yes my 2012 Tundra was planted but a little spongy in the rear. The 2018 f150 pulled good but was not as stable with semi's and I have not towed with the 23 Tundra.
But it is what it is as our journey has changed the last couple of years and I need something that can get me into a parking garage, all wheel drive(real),96 lb lab can get into and out without my assistance but with (dog ladder), most important the wife has her Ohh crap handle. I was really impressed on the drive feel of the GX vs anything I've ever driven.
I have a reese WDH with a friction sway (old school but does the job) and will need to purchase a brake controller.

I was very surprised on how many do not use a WDH or even a brake controller as my trailer has more tongue weight than a regular travel trailer and the axles are more towards the rear.

 

[vegasfj40]

I've towed my Casita trailer a few times with my GX and although it pulled fine, the grades and dealing with the wind are not fun. Your trailer is bigger and heavier. I wouldn't do it. I just bought a 2012 F-150 with the 5.0 and HD tow package for towing duties. The GX really isn't a good tow rig for anything over 4k pounds. You'd definitely want to add a trans cooler.

 

[RadoTracks]

I agree with adding the brake controller (love my Redarc Tow-Pro Elite) and a transmission cooler. S mode will be your friend as well...or you trans will be constantly gear hunting. I think the biggest issue you will have with that trailer is wind resistance. You will likely need to drive very slow on the highway to not kill the GX. All that said, we tow our trailer three times a year but the 99% of time we aren't towing is totally worth the trade off. IMO living in a city with a GX is so much nicer than a full size truck.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

I agree with adding the brake controller (love my Redarc Tow-Pro Elite) and a transmission cooler. S mode will be your friend as well...or you trans will be constantly gear hunting. I think the biggest issue you will have with that trailer is wind resistance. You will likely need to drive very slow on the highway to not kill the GX. All that said, we tow our trailer three times a year but the 99% of time we aren't towing is totally worth the trade off. IMO living in a city with a GX is so much nicer than a full size truck.

That's my thoughts too. Even with a full size it's definitely back there! Havnt gone camping in three years and maybe even consider down sizing the camper as we have no toys to bring along. I really need to down size my daily driver but still have some towing room. So many different things to think about.

 

[Rednexus]

I agree with adding the brake controller (love my Redarc Tow-Pro Elite) and a transmission cooler. S mode will be your friend as well...or you trans will be constantly gear hunting. I think the biggest issue you will have with that trailer is wind resistance. You will likely need to drive very slow on the highway to not kill the GX. All that said, we tow our trailer three times a year but the 99% of time we aren't towing is totally worth the trade off. IMO living in a city with a GX is so much nicer than a full size truck.

Just FYI - I had no problem towing this 65-70 mph - which is probably as fast as anyone should ever go towing. It's about 3,000# dry and I had at least 1-2,000# inside it. It actually pulled a bit better than my TrailManor camper, probably due to having tandem axles instead of a single axle, and taking the time to load it evenly.

Plus this, which was probably around 4-5,000# total. It way by far the worst towing experience, as it was loaded with a forklift so everything was at the back end of the trailer and it didn't have enough tongue weight on the rig and was kind of bouncy. From a stability standpoint, zero issues and I pulled it 70 mph on a hilly 4-lane road. My rig does have headers....trans upgrades....and a tune, so power is much less of an issue than it would be on a stock rig.

 

[URJ150L]

Man… I’d hard pass on towing that with a GX. You got a 3rd gen tundra… keep it if you’re serious about towing. I own both for a reason.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

New question about a warranty they want to sell for an extra 3k. Only 2 yr unlimited on top of the 2 yr L certified warranty. What options do I have other than Nickle and dime them till I get the price down?
L cert gives you 2 yrs unlimited after the 4 yr 50,000 mile fact warranty. It a 2022 55,000 miles.

Thank you for all the replys btw!

 

[Arailt]

New question about a warranty they want to sell for an extra 3k. Only 2 yr unlimited on top of the 2 yr L certified warranty. What options do I have other than Nickle and dime them till I get the price down?
L cert gives you 2 yrs unlimited after the 4 yr 50,000 mile fact warranty. It a 2022 55,000 miles.

Thank you for all the replys btw!

Are you buying from a Lexus/Toyota dealer?

I have experience with the "Toyota Platinum" warranty. If I remember correctly, mine was 3 years, unlimited miles. I got it with my old 2008 GX470 that had 50k on the clock when I bought it. It turned out, in my case, to be worth it's weight in gold (because I had several things pop up like both exhaust manifolds, seized front brake calipers, water pump... all things that aren't problematic in the 460). Probably not an apples to apples comparison because my 470 was older and had some problems that you probably won't have with a newer 460. Had they given me the option when I bought my 2019 GX460, I don't think I would have paid an extra 3k. But the warranty is great. They cover everything. No questions asked in my experience. Might be worth exploring since you plan to tow with the 460.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

Are you buying from a Lexus/Toyota dealer?

I have experience with the "Toyota Platinum" warranty. If I remember correctly, mine was 3 years, unlimited miles. I got it with my old 2008 GX470 that had 50k on the clock when I bought it. It turned out, in my case, to be worth it's weight in gold (because I had several things pop up like both exhaust manifolds, seized front brake calipers, water pump... all things that aren't problematic in the 460). Probably not an apples to apples comparison because my 470 was older and had some problems that you probably won't have with a newer 460. Had they given me the option when I bought my 2019 GX460, I don't think I would have paid an extra 3k. But the warranty is great. They cover everything. No questions asked in my experience. Might be worth exploring since you plan to tow with the 460.

To my knowledge I believe it is. I'll have to do some negotiating for sure.
Thanks