Towing with an 03 GX470 (1 Viewer)

[MikeF058]

I can't seem to find sufficient info on this after searching. If I missed something just point me to the right direction please.

But my question and concerns are specifically with the 03 GX. After doing research online, the claim is is that the 03 max towing capacity is 5000lbs while the 04 and above GX's have a towing capacity of 6500lbs. My 03 GX did not come with a tow receiver but it has the bracket with the 6 holes under the rear middle section of the bumper, it also has the power hookup for trailers under the rear bumper. Would I be able to tow up to 6500lbs if need be?

 

[SteveH]

I would not tow more than the rated amount for liability reasons, and 6500# is quite a load. Throw in some mountains, elevation, and wind resistance, and your GX will be working pretty hard. My brother towed a 3500# cargo trailer (tandem axle) across Utah at 75-80 MPG and his '06 got a whopping 6.3-6.7 MPG. Very well behaved, but sucked gasoline at a 'stop every 100 miles and fill up' rate.

Obviously, towing a car hauler with a car 5 miles across town is one thing, and going cross-country is another.

 

[z00t3ch]

Engines got more powerful with VVTi and the new premium fuel requirement.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

I have a 5'x10' enclosed cargo trailer that I occasionally tow with my 2004 GX, and while the GX is not my normal tow vehicle for the trailer, it handles light duty runs to the hardware store just fine (I'm remodeling my house). With that said, I try to keep the load below 3500lbs, as the GX definitely labors through the mountain passes that lie between my house and the nearest Home Depot. It does handle it, but I don't have as much confidence in it as I do my normal tow vehicle that has nearly 100hp more. The stability and braking are pretty good, even without trailer brakes (which I haven't added to my trailer since it normally sees service as my ATV hauler, so 1500lbs total give or take), but the power leaves a bit to be desired. At 6500lbs, you will certainly need to plan ahead when driving in traffic.

 

[MikeF058]

I would not tow more than the rated amount for

Engines got more powerful with VVTi and the new premium fuel requirement.

The 04 does not have VVTi, in fact HP and Torque are identical with 03 and 04.