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I've only ever towed fairly flat trailers at around 3500lbs on mine. I will drop into 4th on the grades but on flat terrain will go into 6th as I watch my AT temps as well as try to stay in lockup if possible (can monitor AT lockup as well). If that isn't possible I will start dropping gears. I'd imagine with a travel trailer you would want to stay in the lower gears most of the time. I tow fine at 65-70 MPH on freeways I am normally on.
I have a towing question. I have a small aluminum bass boat on a trailer that weighs in at around 2000lbs. I had been towing it around for the past three years with my 2012 Highlander with no issues or problems. Always had plenty of power and it handled well. Now I have a 2020 GX460 and it says I have to have brakes on my trailer if it is over 1000lbs. Is this a recommendation or a 'MUST' have? I called around and very few places will install breaks on my boat trailer, except for a few trailer repair facilities and they want $1k to do it. Cabela's says the don't do breaks. So, I read allot of threads here on towing and saw that some photos of trailers had the brake systems on the trailers, some did not. What is the bottom line on having brakes on a 2K lb trailer?
Please tell me if I posted this wrong or in the wrong place
I do not speak with legal authority but as a Washington State example it is not a requirement to have trailer brakes on anything with a weight of less than 3K lbs. I often pick up one ton energy log pallets in my trailer that weighs around 700 lbs. That trailer does not have electric brakes and 460 handles it fine. I keep my distance and do not speed while carrying these loads.
Thanks. I have the brake controller already installed, the factory hitch, and the factory air cooled transmission cooler. The parameters are within LEXUS toeing specs at 6500 lbs with weight distribution hitch and 650 lbs tongue weight. The trailer is actual 6000 GVW. I am still trying to find someone to determine it they always toe in 4th and what toeing speed is comfortable.
The GX manual states the brake requirement in a way that makes me think that the GX will break if I don't put brakes on. I'm in Virginia and it's a 3K lbs limit without brakes, too. Didn't know if there is some electronic or technical reason why the GX can't handle what the Highlander could.
Does it have enough power to tow it at 60 mph? And if so, in what gear? What about going over passes? Great to hear that you are having a good experience towing. You are giving me hope, since it sounds like if it is setup correctly, it can do the job. You are one of the few posts that give it a thumbs up for towing and RV trailer.
Does it have enough power to tow it at 60 mph? And if so, in what gear? What about going over passes? Great to hear that you are having a good experience towing. You are giving me hope, since it sounds like if it is setup correctly, it can do the job. You are one of the few posts that give it a thumbs up for towing and RV trailer.
Actually that wasn't me... it was a post from member of the Facebook GXOR site.
As above Tundra 5.7 will tow a bit over 10k. I had one and towed about what you are looking at with our loaded car hauler, it works fine but definitely had some limitations on towing distance to empty with a small 26 gallon tank and 8mpg. I switched to a Gmc diesel and get more than double the range and less strain. Some trims of newer tundras now have a bigger 38 gallon tank option.
Tundra is a great truck but it came out in 2007 (certainly nice updates but still minor tweaks) and is soon due for a new revision to come out.
Does it have enough power to tow it at 60 mph? And if so, in what gear? What about going over passes? Great to hear that you are having a good experience towing. You are giving me hope, since it sounds like if it is setup correctly, it can do the job. You are one of the few posts that give it a thumbs up for towing and RV trailer.
Your vehicle can tow the trailer. How easily is what people are trying to advise you about. I really hope this setup works for you as far as expectations go. If not. you can always change vehicles or trailers. Looking forward to hearing about your first outing experience. Hope it's a great one.
Hello. I recently purchased a 2012 GX 460 to tow my 3500# EPRO travel trailer. The first time I towed, the traction control light came on. It stayed on after disengaging the trailer. Is this a coincidence?
My boat is about 5,000 pounds. I'm in the mountains and power on the hills is lacking but around town, it's more than adequate. With that being said, I only use it when my Tundra is being used as the wheelbase is too short when going around bumpy corners. I would assume flat highway would be much better despite the increased wind resistance.
06-30-20, 12:30 PM
Towing a boat
