mcomer

Vehicles such as the RX350 need the tow prep package with its larger radiator and transmission oil cooler
to raise the rating from 2000 lbs. to 3500 lbs. The GX460 has all the HD cooling systems even if it was built
without the Trailer Receiver.

o2bnav8er

Be gentle, I'm a new poster...

Can somebody point me at the correct full framed trailer hitch for after market installation. The owners manual advertises 6500 towing capacity but the available aftermarket hitches are rated at 5K with 500lb tongue wt. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...eid=2017302717

Thanks...

o2bnav8er

Update: found the OEM part here.. https://www.discountpartsmonster.com/

part # PT228-60140

GX Hitch Pin Mnt

jamiehill

I bought a 2017 GX a couple weeks back with the intent of towing a trailer across country. Our salesperson just got back to us that our GX was not outfitted with the tow prep when he was putting together a quote for the hitch. I can't really find anything online about what is included in this, but am wondering what is included in the tow prep other than the hitch.

Any info would be appreciated.

Acrad

Congrats on the GX

There should be a wiring harness to connect the in-cabin brake controller (not included).

Info in this thread

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...e-control.html

MX5NES350

Mine was in the glove box... for some reason. Still haven't done the hitch but it was in there.

hzhao

My jump cable connector is in a box alone with the ball connecting arm (sorry if I am using the incorrect name here. Never was a towing expert), which come with the car.

joindy

All GX's have transmission oil cooler and engine oil cooler. Both important to towing. I don't know about heavy duty alternator and radiator which was part of Toyota tow package which used to be offered on 4Runner.
The tow hitch h is offered as an option, and I don't know if it offers the tow harness, or if the tow harness is standard equipment.

jamiehill

Thanks for your replies. I was hoping it wasn't alternator/radiator related and more just the harness.

Avmanager

I looked at the Dealer while I was there today. Had 2 of the 2017 GX460's side by side. one came with the hitch, one did not. No mention of a towing prep package or anything like they do on the RX's. They had the same alternator and Radiator in them. Same part numbers. So to me, doesn't appear online or on the stickers any tow prep package. It appears to be the hitch, wire harness, and the receiver. No ball. Just checked the sticker on my 2017 as well and it has the $654 option of way overpriced Tow hitch/ receiver. No mention of a prep package with a heavier duty alternator/radiator etc.

So appears to me you just need to purchase the hitch, trailer tow harness, and the receiver.

Didn't check though to see if the non-hitch one had the Large RV 7 pole style trailer hookup connector or not or if you would need to buy that harness as well

Hopes this helps some. I don't see a tow prep option to build out online, just adding the hitch etc.
Does your GX460 have the wire harness hookup in the back already for the lights etc?

Acrad

I wonder if the hitch is a port installed option if ordered from factory?

Avmanager

I was wondering the same thing. Especially when I try to build one out on the Lexus website and for the Hitch, it says to see dealer for pricing. I would assume that is a port add on, but not sure.

joindy

The 2014 GX with Prem Pkg I was looking at indicated the hitch was added at port. It showed the transmission and engine oil coolers listed as factory items.

Avmanager

That makes sense. At Typically $650-$700, I think I would prefer to add it at My Port; My House....... That would seem about in line for the about double the cost on the accessories. $120 for the Chrome exhaust tip vs $55 to order online etc....

joindy

Wanted to clarify my previous response. Toyotas....I had a Tacoma and Tundra that offered a seperate trailer pkg that included transmission cooler, heavy duty alternator and Radiator...along with hitch and towing harness. The GX...mine is 2014 had the hitch added at the port, but it came standard with transmission oil cooler, and engine oil cooler. It did not have special radiator or alternator. I assume, the engine oil cooler substitutes for larger radiator. And I assume they put larger alternators on all GX's as they can have lots of electronic equipment, rear entertainment etc...so just include large Alt in all.

Using the VIN decoder, you can see several pages of detail regarding standard equipment, I have seen 3 or 4 on different cars and all showed the engine and transmission coolers even if no hitch.

I you have a vehicle without transmission cooler you can add an aftermarket. They are a must if you plan to do any heavy duty towing....mountains etc. Keep in mind the transmission does not have a radiator to cool it, so that is purpose of the separate cooler.