I am towing a 2004 Lexus GX 470 for 1000 miles behind another vehicle with all wheels rolling on the grand do I need to disconnect any of the drive shaft s? or can I just put T/A in N and also same with transfer case in neutral ?
towing the GX 470 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter rz470
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Transfer case only in neutral, no need to touch the trans.
Leave the key IN.... turn to "run" but do not start...then turn back completely. This unlocks the column. If you remove the key, you have to repeat this step. (We strip our keyring of extra weight)
We have a few thousand flat-tow miles on our GX470 with no issues.
I DO suggest doing a transfer case fluid change...we run Redline Shockproof and check it after every trip.
Lexus/Toyota states you cannot tow 4 down. You've been warned.
Leave the key IN.... turn to "run" but do not start...then turn back completely. This unlocks the column. If you remove the key, you have to repeat this step. (We strip our keyring of extra weight)
We have a few thousand flat-tow miles on our GX470 with no issues.
I DO suggest doing a transfer case fluid change...we run Redline Shockproof and check it after every trip.
Lexus/Toyota states you cannot tow 4 down. You've been warned.
I would suggest using a trailer (not a dolly).
we are setting ours up to flat tow behind our class A. what kind of light and brake system are you using? did you chop into the garness for your lights?
External mag-mount lights. Cheap and easy.
Don't recall what brake unit I have, but it's an older one....not impressed, and am researching newer units to replace it. Hand-me-down from my uncle
I've flat towed my '04 GX470 15,000 miles behind a class A.
As Woody said, turn key on and then all the way off but do not remove the key. That keeps the steering unlocked.
I leave the transmission in Park and transfer case in Neutral. Sounds weird but every vehicle I've towed with an automatic transmission and transfer case required the trans in Park. Even stick shift Jeeps get towed with trans in gear instead of Neutral.
I've used a Roadmaster Brakemaster system on 3 different vehicles. It's for motorhomes with air brakes. Works great.
The important thing is this - With the key off, pump the brake pedal about 40 times to drain the pressure out of the power brake system. Supplemental brake systems are set up for vacuum systems that aren't providing boost with the engine not running. Our electric power brake system needs to be drained otherwise the supplemental brake system will be "slamming on" the brakes for the first 30-40 stops. This gets complicated but some supplemental braking systems are set to exert less pressure assuming that the key is left in the "on" position and the electric power assisted brakes will keep running. Those vehicles that need the key on to unlock the steering wheel end up running the battery down and need a charging wire from the motorhome. But fortunately, the GX470 steering wheel can be unlocked in the full "off" position, thus no battery drain. Just don't remove the key.
For the rear lights, since the GX470 has duplicate upper and lower bulbs, I removed the lower bulb and socket. I replaced those lower sockets with generic sockets that don't have the contacts that connect the OEM sockets. I ran separate wires from the motorhome connector to the new sockets and used LED bulbs. That keeps the lights completely separate from the GX's electrical system. (You will need to tap into a brake light wire, however, to activate the brake lights on the new bulbs.) So you end up with the lower lights working when towing and the upper lights working when driving.
I think that Toyota/Lexus says no flat towing because to do it properly is a bit complicated and the company just doesn't want to deal with it. But I have had no problems and I know of other GX470's and Landcruisers that have been towed 50,000 miles with no problems. But as always, this is just my experience and not a recommendation. Who knows? Maybe the whole thing blows up on my next cross country trip.
As Woody said, turn key on and then all the way off but do not remove the key. That keeps the steering unlocked.
I leave the transmission in Park and transfer case in Neutral. Sounds weird but every vehicle I've towed with an automatic transmission and transfer case required the trans in Park. Even stick shift Jeeps get towed with trans in gear instead of Neutral.
I've used a Roadmaster Brakemaster system on 3 different vehicles. It's for motorhomes with air brakes. Works great.
The important thing is this - With the key off, pump the brake pedal about 40 times to drain the pressure out of the power brake system. Supplemental brake systems are set up for vacuum systems that aren't providing boost with the engine not running. Our electric power brake system needs to be drained otherwise the supplemental brake system will be "slamming on" the brakes for the first 30-40 stops. This gets complicated but some supplemental braking systems are set to exert less pressure assuming that the key is left in the "on" position and the electric power assisted brakes will keep running. Those vehicles that need the key on to unlock the steering wheel end up running the battery down and need a charging wire from the motorhome. But fortunately, the GX470 steering wheel can be unlocked in the full "off" position, thus no battery drain. Just don't remove the key.
For the rear lights, since the GX470 has duplicate upper and lower bulbs, I removed the lower bulb and socket. I replaced those lower sockets with generic sockets that don't have the contacts that connect the OEM sockets. I ran separate wires from the motorhome connector to the new sockets and used LED bulbs. That keeps the lights completely separate from the GX's electrical system. (You will need to tap into a brake light wire, however, to activate the brake lights on the new bulbs.) So you end up with the lower lights working when towing and the upper lights working when driving.
I think that Toyota/Lexus says no flat towing because to do it properly is a bit complicated and the company just doesn't want to deal with it. But I have had no problems and I know of other GX470's and Landcruisers that have been towed 50,000 miles with no problems. But as always, this is just my experience and not a recommendation. Who knows? Maybe the whole thing blows up on my next cross country trip.
BTT. What are you all using for a base plate? We have flat towed our LX450 for several years, we added a GX470 to the mix and would like to set this us for flat tow as well. I checked with Blue OX and they do not make a base plate for the GX.... We modified the ARB bumper on the LX, required no base plate.
Uhaul car trailers are pretty cheap, both dollies and their ‘flatbed’ version. Worth the lack of risk IMO.
They get finicky and extra cautious about weight of the towing vehicle vs trailer weight, so unless you have something heavy to pull with it may not work. Their website has a way to confirming weights methinks.
They get finicky and extra cautious about weight of the towing vehicle vs trailer weight, so unless you have something heavy to pull with it may not work. Their website has a way to confirming weights methinks.
I have flat towed our LX about 20K miles. Previously I used a trailer. Its much easier flat towing, and in my experience minimum risk. We are full time on the road and live in our RV, a little different circumstance than most. I think i found a base plate. Needs a little more digging.
Got the GX all setup. Not cheap, works great so far. Only about 1000 miles on this setup. Break needs some help, outside of that good to go.
I know... I miss the LX...... Hopefully that will change a little over the next year as we build it out. Def feel the difference between it and the fat truck. Especially on acceleration.
SHREG, I know it’s been near a year since you posted about your GX470. I own a 2008 model and constantly being told it can not be flat towed. I am looking at a setup just as you have but apprehensive to spend the money if I truly am not able to flat tow it. From everything I read the only differences in the 2008/2009 and the 2003/2007 models are cosmetic. Your thoughts?
If this goes to court Ill deny every typing this.
We have come full circle, Texas, to the Gulf Shores down to the Keys then up to Northern Michigan arriving back in Texas this past Sunday. Flat towing the 08GX the entire way. To date we have had zero problems with the BlueOx setup. I'm not in love with the breaking setup as i prefer the one on the LX. I will be re-united with the LX tomorrow!! For our next year we will be flat towing the LX. I'll sell the external braking system on the GX soon. We are also considering selling the LX AND GX in favor of a 100 series.... or new Bronco. IF the Bronco can be flat towed. Who is telling you it can't be towed 4-down? I'd be interested in the rationale. If it has a manual transfer case, it can be done. It's well documented on MUD. so, it has to be true!!
Hope that helps.
May be a dumb question, but does the odometer go up as the GX is towed? I've seen a couple for sale with tow connections and I'd like to know if the mileage is true, or if the actual driven mileage may be lower than what's showing.
If you don't mind, can you tell me what year your GX is? I am purchasing a 2009 if I can set up for towing behind MH. Blue ox baseplate will work with the 09?
Not at all. Ours is an 08. I ordered the base plate for an 06. No issues. Not a fan of the break i used. Id change that.
Fantastic! I am going to purchase the 09 and use the blue ox baseplate as you did. Did you do the install yourself? Anything to tricky? From your picture it is hard to see...are the holes for the safety cables roomy enough to not scratch the bumper fascia? Would it be easier if they were bent down? You have the plug under the bumper? Thanks again for the help!
PMd ya.
Keep in mind that whatever you're towing the GX with the towbar should be as level as possible (within 2-3"). On mine it would have been too out of level. So I flipped the baseplate upside down and it came out perfectly level. I had to drill one hole through the frame on each side.
