Towing impressions, 2022 LX600 (1 Viewer)

[Docyota]

Found a killer deal through a family member in NC, towed this 4000lb boat back to MS, 570 miles give or take.

Pros:
-power! Tons of torque, no problems at all barreling up a 3000 ft ascent on I-77 at highway speeds. Remained in 7th-8th gear on typical highway undulations.
-stability. Handled the boat's weight with aplomb, not squirrelly at all.
-comfort: ride became firmer as expected with the extra weight on the rear, but you can see from the photo did not squash the rear suspension (and it's the base, so no auto height leveling). Remained pleasant throughout the drive.

Cons:
-range and gas mileage. I wasn't expecting good gas mileage with a huge parachute and headwinds, but 10mpg was a surprise. Had to fill up every 160-180 miles. Nice to take frequent breaks, but will be looking into an accessory tank, maybe in the spare tire location, if I ever get slee or dissent to build it out. All that said, I'd probably be at 12-14 if I wasn't going 70-75, as the mileage did improve a good bit when in the 55-65 range.

In conclusion, I continue to be very happy with my LX600, as it meets my needs, isn't super ostentatious, is by far the most comfortable vehicle I've owned, is fast, capable, and has been wonderfully reliable over 52k miles.

 

[Oakleyguy]

Nice to take frequent breaks, but will be looking into an accessory tank, maybe in the spare tire location, if I ever get slee or dissent to build it out.

There's an international OEM auxiliary tank that should also fit the LX600 (adds 8gal), I'm working on sourcing the parts for a retrofit on my LX7. I'll post up more details as I get further in the process.

 

[Joe T]

Is that tank available in Dubai by chance? Or just Russia? I can maybe help either way.

 

[Oakleyguy]

Is that tank available in Dubai by chance? Or just Russia? I can maybe help either way.

I've found it in the UAE; price has fluctuated up and down $400-800 with shipping. The challenge will be two mounting brackets that I will need to get off either a wrecked LC300 or I will fabricate a retrofit. I'm leaning toward the latter right now.

 

[Joe T]

Thats actually pretty fair $$. Does it include the filler neck, skid, and evap miscellaneous?

Did you confirm the mounting brackets are not available?

 

[Oakleyguy]

Thats actually pretty fair $$. Does it include the filler neck, skid, and evap miscellaneous?

Did you confirm the mounting brackets are not available?

No, just the bare tank. I’m putting together a full bill of materials, I’m guessing around 1800 +/-20% for everything.

The brackets are actually weldments on two separate cross members, so the only way to get the factory ones will be to cut them off a junked vehicle. I’m working on a “bolt on” option.

 

[Joe T]

Great keep me up to date.

 

[URJ150L]

The engine and tranny combo really make these things tow like champs… tundra too

 

[stiffarm]

What gear should you be in be for towing ? Thanks

 

[Docyota]

What gear should you be in be for towing ? Thanks

Drive. Or reverse if you need to back up.

 

[Oakleyguy]

What gear should you be in be for towing ? Thanks

Reference PG201 in Owner's Manual on towing:

To maintain engine braking efficiency
and charging system performance,
when using engine braking,
do not put the transmission in D. If in
the M mode, the transmission shift
range position must be in 7 or lower.
(P.213)

 

[Docyota]

Reference PG201 in Owner's Manual on towing:

To maintain engine braking efficiency
and charging system performance,
when using engine braking,
do not put the transmission in D. If in
the M mode, the transmission shift
range position must be in 7 or lower.
(P.213)

Yeah, it also says horse**** like don't go above the speed limit, and "don't use D, but if you're in M make sure to be in no higher than 7." Logical nonsense.


It did fine in D all the way home.

 

[stiffarm]

Drive. Or reverse if you need to back up.

Clown reply -- that was s serious adult question.

 

[Docyota]

Clown reply -- that was s serious adult question.

Yep. Lighten up.

And I'm honestly not sure if it matters. The official word is keep it in manual and no higher than 7th and not to drive faster than 65mph, along with all the cautions of slow braking, not doing sudden turns, and other advice for people who have never towed anything heavier than a skateboard.

I find the above recommendations untenable and had no difficulty whatsoever driving a 4-5k lb boat on a 600 mile drive anywhere from 70-80mph, and it did great.