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Just to supply more content to this thread because it is a top search on google for GX towing. We just came back from a 9 day trip from California to Moab and back (+2000 miles). Pulling our travel trailer (see specs above) and it did amazingly. It pulled great on the flats but especially in the mountains. There were long stretches of 8% grades and several sections that reached 10%! She pulled with confidence in 3rd and sometimes 2nd gear (+10% grade). I found the sweet spot to be 3-4k rpm will pulling up this steep. Downhill was no problem as long as you have trailer brakes and are good at engine braking. We loaded up the trailer too for this long trek so we were approaching its max load - ~4700-5000lbs.
Trijicon,
How is your configuration holding up? I have been researching that exact combo of tow vehicle and TT and it was great coming across your posts. Did you install the much discussed additional transmission cooler that Lexus provides on some Canadian models? Any issues with either since you last posted?
Thanks,
Seth
Trijicon,
How is your configuration holding up? I have been researching that exact combo of tow vehicle and TT and it was great coming across your posts. Did you install the much discussed additional transmission cooler that Lexus provides on some Canadian models? Any issues with either since you last posted?
Thanks,
Seth
I hauled a 24' travel trailer all summer with no issues. When I'm on the highway I put the transmission is sport 5, or sport 4. If you leave it in drive it will hunt for gears constantly. I've had no issues and it tows really well!
I hauled a 24' travel trailer all summer with no issues. When I'm on the highway I put the transmission is sport 5, or sport 4. If you leave it in drive it will hunt for gears constantly. I've had no issues and it tows really well!
How fast do you cruise on the highway? Does it seem be working hard or is it fine keeping the speed?
I cruise about about 70 mph without an issue. Yes I can definitely tell the trailer is there but as long as I don't let it shift to 6th gear it still has plenty of power.
I just traded my 4runner in for a 2020 GX. I will be towing a bass boat. The GX came with tow package and had a ball mount included. The ball mount instructions indicate putting the ball on in the rise position for GX and drop for 4runner. My 4runner ball mount was in the drop position and towed fine. Can anyone tell me how they tow using the ball mount on their GX. I have both configurations that I can use. Thanks...
Hello, I would greatly appreciate anyone's expertise and experience. I have a Airstream Basecamp 20X.Dry weight is 3500, GVWR is: 4300. We are planning to tow with a 2020/2021 Lexus GX Luxury. Going from Virginia to the California. Will probably visit Colorado and Utah first. In 2022 the plan is to drive from Virginia to Alaska. Can the GX handle the towing requirements? Thanks for all and any suggestions to include any modification suggestions like adding Timbren Bump Stops, top of the line Brake Controller, etc.
Hello, I would greatly appreciate anyone's expertise and experience. I have a Airstream Basecamp 20X.Dry weight is 3500, GVWR is: 4300. We are planning to tow with a 2020/2021 Lexus GX Luxury. Going from Virginia to the California. Will probably visit Colorado and Utah first. In 2022 the plan is to drive from Virginia to Alaska. Can the GX handle the towing requirements? Thanks for all and any suggestions to include any modification suggestions like adding Timbren Bump Stops, top of the line Brake Controller, etc.
Make sure you have a weight distribution hitch with sway control and a decent brake controller. If your gx doesn't have the off road package that includes a transmission cooler I would recommend adding one. At 4300 lbs you will have 0 issues whatsoever.
Hello, I would greatly appreciate anyone's expertise and experience. I have a Airstream Basecamp 20X.Dry weight is 3500, GVWR is: 4300. We are planning to tow with a 2020/2021 Lexus GX Luxury. Going from Virginia to the California. Will probably visit Colorado and Utah first. In 2022 the plan is to drive from Virginia to Alaska. Can the GX handle the towing requirements? Thanks for all and any suggestions to include any modification suggestions like adding Timbren Bump Stops, top of the line Brake Controller, etc.
can you do it, yes. Will it be comfortable, no. You likly will only be able to tow in 4th gear. Fuel economy will be roughly 25L/100km. If I was planning a trip that far I would get a smaller camper or buy a tundra.
if you’re set on going ahead you will need trans cooler, mirror extensions, air bags (if no air suspension), brake controller.
can you do it, yes. Will it be comfortable, no. You likly will only be able to tow in 4th gear. Fuel economy will be roughly 25L/100km. If I was planning a trip that far I would get a smaller camper or buy a tundra.
if you’re set on going ahead you will need trans cooler, mirror extensions, air bags (if no air suspension), brake controller.
I tow around 6000 lbs regularly the the GX handles it like a champ! If you keep it in S4 there is plenty of power and still very comfortable.
Greetings! I really appreciate the posts about towing! We are going to tow a Airstream Basecamp 20x with 3500lb dry, 4300 GVWR. We wll be leaving Virginia to travel through Colorado, Utah, up to Washington State, then South through the Oregon and on to driving the entire Pacific Coast Hwy. In 2022, we want to drive from Virginia to Alaska. Is the Lexus GX gonna be enough to tow this trailer?
I would appreciate any feedback, technical guidance, experiences, etc. Thanks!!
Either way the GX is capable of the trip you describe. The trailer is within it's towing capability specs assuming you get the OEM hitch which is installed to the side frame rails to better distribute the weight.
Some elements to consider during your purchase process and/or before you depart to make the drive as least stressful as possible.
-Ensure new brakes and tires on the GX. Depending on the OEM tires I would consider getting them changed out to a more heavier duty option...
-Fresh Engine oil change before departure.
-Buy a GX with the transmission air cooler (for 2020 this means the offroad package) or if you don't want everything that comes with the offroad package, you can add the oem transmission cooler (that comes in the offroad package) to any 2nd Gen GX for roughly $500 DIY in parts.
-Invest in a reliable trailer brake controller (to keep the tail from wagging the dog), like the Redarc mentioned on this forum and ih8mud. It not only looks oem (when the panle **** insert is purchased) but those who have it, love it and swear buy it when towing a trailer with brakes
-Depending if your GX has the rear air suspension (ideally it would to prevent squatting due to a 410 lb trailer tongue weight) but if not invest in some airbags that go inside the coil springs to help minimize the squat. (Other options are to consider some Timbren bump stops, at least for the rear to soften any hard road conditions especially when loaded down). The goal should be to NOT ride on the bump stops for the entire trip... perhaps practice loading up the GX with the airstream in a parking lot to see how much clearance you have in travel before hitting the bump stops.
- Avg MPG will be 10 +/- 2mpg for the entire trip, plan on stopping ever 180'ish miles or so given the GX's 20'ish gallon tank
Lastly, take a bunch of pictures and create a thread to post them to share your adventures! sounds like an awesome trip!
I pulled a 16 foot enclosed trailer with a 1500 pound race car in it from Michigan to Seattle a year ago. 7-8 MPG the whole way, max speed about 65. So your trip will be leisurely and you will have plenty of bathroom breaks.
2nd the Redarc trailer brake controller. Remember- the trailer brakes should slow the GX- set the dial properly and adjust if the trailer weight changes. Make sure the Redarc accelerometer is fastened securely under the dash- if it moves or wiggles it can't properly sense when to apply the trailer brakes.
This is what I got. I added a Toyota mounting panel so it fit right into an unused switch location on the dash.
I just towed a trailer for the first time (with the GX) a 10' single axle with a 700CC motorcycle and a tool box (I would guess less than 2000 LBs total)
and I didn't even know it was there (other than when I looked in the mirror)
09-03-20, 12:47 PM
