Thinking about getting a GX460

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rickpaw

Joined
Dec 7, 2016
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Location
Katy, TX
I'm looking to replace my F150 daily driver/tow vehicle for something newer. With the prices of pick up trucks these days, I'm started looking at a GX460. The tow rating of the GX is at 6500# which is right at the limit with my trailer/FJ40 and trailer/race car combo.

My question is does the GX makes a decent tow vehicle? I will only tow 2-3 times a year.

Thanks for the insight.
 
First. I have not towed with my 2013 GX460 and won't. BUT....

I have owned and towed a lot with an ecoboosted (3.5) F150. It had an 11k lb tow rating and I easily pulled a 9K lb travel trailer all across the US. Mountains too.

The F150 is a beast. So good for its intended use. The GX is also very good for its intended use, but I would not say that is towing. Personally I would rent a tow vehicle or get an older something for my periodic towing needs and not use the GX at/near its documented capacity. My opinion changes at 3000lbs or less.

The GX suspension is soft as are the stock tires. The V8 is smallish and it is a heavy SUV. It is also running an all wheel drive system that you can't disengage. You will need an aux brake controller.

That said, it would do it and there will be others on here with experience doing it, but they will tell you that a good hill climb takes all it can give (4500rpm/30min@45mph) with no margin left.

Maybe the F150 spoiled me. Don't doubt that you will miss it when you attach that 6000lbs to your GX.

S
 
Thank you for the insight. My F150 is an Ecoboost as well, and it's a beast with towing. It now has close to 200k miles and kind of tired.

Towing capacity of the GX is what I'm concerning about. The 4.6 does not have as much torque as the 3.5 Eco. You're right. I'd probably regret buying the GX the moment I hook the car trailer.
 
rickpaw said:
Thank you for the insight. My F150 is an Ecoboost as well, and it's a beast with towing. It now has close to 200k miles and kind of tired.

Towing capacity of the GX is what I'm concerning about. The 4.6 does not have as much torque as the 3.5 Eco. You're right. I'd probably regret buying the GX the moment I hook the car trailer.
Click to expand...
Look in to a Land Cruiser or Lexus LX.
 
rickpaw said:
I'm looking to replace my F150 daily driver/tow vehicle for something newer. With the prices of pick up trucks these days, I'm started looking at a GX460. The tow rating of the GX is at 6500# which is right at the limit with my trailer/FJ40 and trailer/race car combo.

My question is does the GX makes a decent tow vehicle? I will only tow 2-3 times a year.

Thanks for the insight.
Click to expand...

I towed with my 2011 for a number of years. Never pushed its 6500 lbs limit, just mostly our event trailer going to events around the country. 16' single axle aluminum box trailer, about 3,000lbs all in. I found the 4.6 did fine overall and would never hesitate using it to tow a medium tow need with. With the truck being fully built including an ICON Stage 6 suspension, I very much appreciated the KDSS system. Normally a built truck on 34"s can be a bit spongy in the corners or be pushed around by side winds hitting the trailer. The KDSS takes over and keeps the truck rather tame, when others would get sporty. Like all modern Toyotas as soon as you plug a trailer in, I swear its like the computer goes "oh we are towing so who cares about the MPG." Mileage drops.

Not the 460 but just towed with our 470 to and from Overland Expo in AZ, same trailer. The lower torque of the 4.7 is noticeable, but the higher revving HP of the 4.6 stands out. However on the HW on a long cruise the 460 is hands down the machine of choice between the two.

Just sold my LX570, great truck and yes with that 5.7 it was a beast towing, but you pay for it deeply in the fuel milage about 4 mpg worse than the 460 towing the same trailer. BUT the 570 will let you go up any hill as fast as you are willing to try.

For baseline our shop has our trusty Ford RWD 7.3 diesel, is a towing machine that does not care what its behind it. Used this for years taking my FJ40 then FJC to events.

Talon_2-2__80603.1620682262.jpg
 
MrTorgue said:
Look in to a Land Cruiser or Lexus LX.
Click to expand...

Well if I can afford the newer LC/Lexus LX with a 5.7 then it's a non-issue.

helocat said:
I towed with my 2011 for a number of years. Never pushed its 6500 lbs limit, just mostly our event trailer going to events around the country. 16' single axle aluminum box trailer, about 3,000lbs all in. I found the 4.6 did fine overall and would never hesitate using it to tow a medium tow need with. With the truck being fully built including an ICON Stage 6 suspension, I very much appreciated the KDSS system. Normally a built truck on 34"s can be a bit spongy in the corners or be pushed around by side winds hitting the trailer. The KDSS takes over and keeps the truck rather tame, when others would get sporty. Like all modern Toyotas as soon as you plug a trailer in, I swear its like the computer goes "oh we are towing so who cares about the MPG." Mileage drops.

Not the 460 but just towed with our 470 to and from Overland Expo in AZ, same trailer. The lower torque of the 4.7 is noticeable, but the higher revving HP of the 4.6 stands out. However on the HW on a long cruise the 460 is hands down the machine of choice between the two.

Just sold my LX570, great truck and yes with that 5.7 it was a beast towing, but you pay for it deeply in the fuel milage about 4 mpg worse than the 460 towing the same trailer. BUT the 570 will let you go up any hill as fast as you are willing to try.

For baseline our shop has our trusty Ford RWD 7.3 diesel, is a towing machine that does not care what its behind it. Used this for years taking my FJ40 then FJC to events.

Talon_2-2__80603.1620682262.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed insight. Yes, a diesel will be perfect for towing. But with me towing only 2-3 times a year, I need something that can be a DD and occasional towing
 
For 2-3 times per year you'll be fine, and for the other 362-363 days a year, you'll be much happier than with the F150... If the days were reversed, go for the dedicated tow rig, but you should be buying for the other 99% of the miles you're putting on. Is it a "great" tow rig? No, never designed for it. Neither was the Land Cruiser. But you don't need that. Rent a tow rig, or use the GX, and enjoy the crap out of the GX for literally every one of the other 14,500 miles per year that you'll drive it with an empty receiver hitch...
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. At this point, I've decided to hold off til next year to see how the economy goes. Not having a car payment right now is nice
 
rickpaw said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. At this point, I've decided to hold off til next year to see how the economy goes. Not having a car payment right now is nice
Click to expand...
There's that AND the constant stream of mods you will want and NEED! Add $8k-$10k to any purchase price. Its a disease and since you are on this forum, you have already caught it. So sorry.

S
 
rickpaw said:
Thank you for the insight. My F150 is an Ecoboost as well, and it's a beast with towing. It now has close to 200k miles and kind of tired.

Towing capacity of the GX is what I'm concerning about. The 4.6 does not have as much torque as the 3.5 Eco. You're right. I'd probably regret buying the GX the moment I hook the car trailer.
Click to expand...
you could always supercharge it.
 
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