What can a '97 LX450 really tow?

[corvette10]

I have read several threads on this site about towing, and it seems the common thought is an LX450 can tow well over 5000 pounds. I do not have the hitch, which I will get installed soon, but I am purchasing an enclosed trailer (20-22ft) which I will tow a 1969 Corvette with. My concern is the total weight will be around 9-10K pounds.

If I install a transmission cooler and the class III hitch, will I be fine towing this combo? It will only be 20-50 miles that I will need to tow.

So those that have history with this. What is the strongest hitch this truck will take, and what is the max I should feel comfortable towing? Are there other parts that should be installed to accomplish this? If I cant get the 450 to tow, I will be forced to purchase an Excursion.

Please recommend parts that should be added if you think the truck is actually capable.

Thanks.

 

[Romer]

Terrain makes a big difference. I tow a 2500 lb camper up and down mountain passes.

 

[bpassmore]

Your trailer and car will be 10,000 pounds? wow.
that car should be about 3800 pounds, right? how heavy is that trailer?

you got tools too?

you will be pushing it.
You will want a big cooler, and flush your tranny with synthetic fluid first.

Install a temp gauge on it too.....

good luck,
and post pics of the bowtie in chat...

 

[nicholas]

Terrain makes a big difference. I tow a 2500 lb camper up and down mountain passes.

Top speed desired also makes a difference. 35mph up mountain passes naturally aspirated vs. 60mph with a blower.

 

[corvette10]

Flat terrain, mostly on highway. Speed will range from 35-65. Naturally aspirated. Trailer should be 3800 and car is about 3600. But I was planning on keeping entire tool case, extra wheels, extra motor ect. in trailer. But If I only have the trailer and car so about 7500 pounds is this feasible? Just flushed all fluids, changed filters, plugs ect.

What hitch should I get. What transmission cooler should I get? Will this put too much stress on the truck?

 

[fishwater]

just curious, but is the limiting factor on towing with the 80 braking or is it horsepower/drive train?

 

[nicholas]

I have seen some people on this board tow vehicles (80's, 60's) on flat beds and most of them will agree it can be done albeit very slow and leaving plenty of buffer zone for braking. Probably not something you would want to do more than 1 or 2 times per year.

 

[Tools R Us]

... What transmission cooler should I get? ...

IIRC all of the LX's came with the towing package, the stock cooler is very good, so that's probably all that you need. On the cooling side I would make sure that the fan clutch is up to the job, put some thicker fluid in it, IMHO that their weakest point.

just curious, but is the limiting factor on towing with the 80 braking or is it horsepower/drive train?

My guess would be suspension, especially on the LX, it's very soft. Overall it's designed to be flexible for uneven terrain, not the best design for a stable towing platform.

 

[Dusty]

brakes on 80 series arn't much to brag about. i wouldn't do it

 

[bpassmore]

this trailer has electric brakes, right? what is the tounge weight?

 

[corvette10]

I dont have the trailer yet. But I will buy one that has electric brakes. Not sure what the tounge weight will be. I guess if brakes are a concern, should I upgrade to larger brakes?

Total weight for the trailer and car will be 7500, I wont tow the rest of the items. It seems other than the brakes the LX450 should be able to handle this. I just didnt want to cause other stress on the truck and damage it.

 

[slow95z]

i tow my tacoma on a flatbed and its pretty hard to keep the lexus at 55 on even the slightest of hills. i would think thats way too much weight. these things arent made for towing, if you have that much weight i hate to say it but the american diesels are the best you can get for it. oh, and as everyone else said the brakes SUCK when pulling something so make sure to leave plenty of room.

 

[corvette10]

What do you think the total weight is of your Tacoma and flatbed? Is it worth changing the brakes out to larger ones?

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

As much as I love my 80 and am setting it up to tow my mini-truck with, it's not an ideal tow vehicle in stock form. Yes, in a pinch they can tow heavier loads than they are rated for(5k), but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

With adequate trailer brakes, braking shouldn't really be much of an issue. I have friends whose trucks(3/4 ton diesels) stop faster with an empty trailer(with trailer brakes) than they do with no trailer.

High speed maneuverability is where most of my concerns stem from. Especially if you have a decent tongue weight. I would look at airbags in the rear and perhaps beefier sway bars if you were going to do it a lot.

 

[cruiser-poor]

... High speed maneuverability is where most of my concerns stem from. Especially if you have a decent tongue weight. ...

I agree, having towed a few cars with the 80, using rental car-hauler trailers. I was slightly over the 5000-lb tow rating each time and it was always a handful. From my experience, I wouldn't bother trying to haul 1.5 x Max rated load, even with upgrades to the rig. And you're talking about leaving a bunch of your gear at home to even get the weight down to that. I think, as mentioned above, you're going to be in the market for a domestic diesel pickup.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Towing a 7500# load plus with a 5000# vehicle not safe in my book. The slightest wind it will be like herding sheep with a death grip.

 

[80t0ylc]

I have read several threads on this site about towing, and it seems the common thought is an LX450 can tow well over 5000 pounds. I do not have the hitch, which I will get installed soon, but I am purchasing an enclosed trailer (20-22ft) which I will tow a 1969 Corvette with. My concern is the total weight will be around 9-10K pounds.

If I install a transmission cooler and the class III hitch, will I be fine towing this combo? It will only be 20-50 miles that I will need to tow.

So those that have history with this. What is the strongest hitch this truck will take, and what is the max I should feel comfortable towing? Are there other parts that should be installed to accomplish this? If I cant get the 450 to tow, I will be forced to purchase an Excursion.

Please recommend parts that should be added if you think the truck is actually capable.

Thanks.

X2 about terrain, per Romer. I towed my son's Taurus on U-Haul dolly with my Kaymar (rated 350 KG/3500KG or 770 Lbs/7700Lbs) from Redmond, OR to Sacramento, CA a couple of Novembers ago. A few hills, no major mountain passes and about 450 miles. My biggest concern was road conditions. we were lucky and bare pavement most of the way. I think you'll be ok with stock set up and a good receiver hitch. I like the idea of going to the synthetic ATF and temp. guage. I don't know how much it snows there or the terrain or what time of year you'll be towing, but I would caution you on one thing. Do not even attempt to tow a trailer of the weight you're talking about in snow, through hills or mountains, without chains on all 4 wheels!

 

[Filmpros]

I just upgraded my brakes with High Performance rotors from DBA (Disc Brake Australia) and Hawk Performance Brake Pads. I went with the mid-level pads for a balance of wear and performance.

The mid-level pads provide a 35% improvement in performance according to Hawk.

In your case, I would go for the sheer stopping power of their heavy duty pads designed for towing. They will wear your rotors faster but they will serve to stop your vehicle while towing all that weight.

 

[PDoyle]

I bought a CURT hitch. It ( the receiver),sticks out from the rear bumper about 5-6 " before you insert the ball plate. I like it though! Towed this boat. Not enough power to pass, not great stopping! Still love the truck!

 

[thestallionq8]

I used an ARB Tow Master hitch!