Boat, Travel or Other Trailer Towing Experiences
06-11-16, 05:33 AM
#123
Very nice... I like seeing the GX being used for more than just a luxury suv. I did not notice any squatting at all with my load, but I can't vouch the same if it was done using a crossover suv. I love being able to pull a trailer, when needed, and not have to haul around an 8 foot long bed all the time. My U-Haul trailer, including insurance and taxes, was only about $24 for the day. What a great way to expand the truck's abilities. Looking forward to doing it again in the future.
06-13-16, 10:31 AM
#124
11GX460, just curious, do you have the air suspension? In your photos, doesn't seem like there's much sag at all.
Also, just realized, you guys are highlighting the use of the Curt Hitch. My bad. I actually have the factory hitch so just wanted to call that out and not mis-lead anyone.
Also, just realized, you guys are highlighting the use of the Curt Hitch. My bad. I actually have the factory hitch so just wanted to call that out and not mis-lead anyone.
06-13-16, 01:31 PM
#125
Pole Position
11GX460, just curious, do you have the air suspension? In your photos, doesn't seem like there's much sag at all.
Also, just realized, you guys are highlighting the use of the Curt Hitch. My bad. I actually have the factory hitch so just wanted to call that out and not mis-lead anyone.
Also, just realized, you guys are highlighting the use of the Curt Hitch. My bad. I actually have the factory hitch so just wanted to call that out and not mis-lead anyone.
06-13-16, 01:38 PM
#126
The easiest way to tell from the outside is to look at the silver/chrome window trim. On base models the trim extends horizontally toward the rear of the car and them terminates when it reaches the edge of the back window. On premium models, which have the air suspension (2010-2013) the chrome trim continues vertically up the rear edge of the rear window (like on your car). His trim stops at the bottom so he does not have the air suspension.
06-13-16, 07:42 PM
#127
The easiest way to tell from the outside is to look at the silver/chrome window trim. On base models the trim extends horizontally toward the rear of the car and them terminates when it reaches the edge of the back window. On premium models, which have the air suspension (2010-2013) the chrome trim continues vertically up the rear edge of the rear window (like on your car). His trim stops at the bottom so he does not have the air suspension.
06-14-16, 09:39 AM
#128
Absolutely. To note, when I returned the stuff I ended up renting the larger 5x9 trailer so the stuff wasn't hanging out the tailgate. No issues hitting the highway with that trailer since nothing was hanging out the back!
06-14-16, 05:22 PM
#130
Excellent. Thanks for sharing. Would love to see a photo of the '59 Town Car on a trailer behind your GX sometime. Also, with a weight distribution hitch setup, you can safely tow up to the max.
06-14-16, 05:46 PM
#131
^ + 1, pics please.
04-08-17, 06:42 AM
#132
Towing reviews
Im looking at upgrading my wife's Jeep Liberty. The wheelbase is just too short for towing the tandem axel competition ski boat. It will tow just fine to the close lake that is does not have much of elevation change. I would like to take it to some larger lakes further up the mountain. Anyone on here use the GX460 to tow a 21' ski boat that weighs in around 3,800-4,000 lbs? How does it handle this type of towing? Is the motor/transmission stresses? Do you feel in control when towing in mountain conditions, with steep grades?
I want a good all around vehicle for the family. I'm willing to sacrifice a little compared to a full size truck but do not want to put the family in harms way when going up the mountain for a lake day. Wish I could test drive one with a tow package and haul the boat up the mountain. Something tells me that the dealership might not want someone putting on 120 towing miles for a test drive. We are also planning on making this purchase in 1-2 years. Still waiting on depreciation to hit the used market a little more. One thing that draws me to this is the fact that it's a body on frame SUV. I would never consider a unibody SUV simply due to the fact that it's basically just a car shaped to look different.
For those that tow with the GX460 what are your impressions? Do you ever have to watch the temperature gage? Does it have a transmission temperature gage on the dash? How is maintenance on the transmission? Is it straight forward on changing out fluid?
I want a good all around vehicle for the family. I'm willing to sacrifice a little compared to a full size truck but do not want to put the family in harms way when going up the mountain for a lake day. Wish I could test drive one with a tow package and haul the boat up the mountain. Something tells me that the dealership might not want someone putting on 120 towing miles for a test drive. We are also planning on making this purchase in 1-2 years. Still waiting on depreciation to hit the used market a little more. One thing that draws me to this is the fact that it's a body on frame SUV. I would never consider a unibody SUV simply due to the fact that it's basically just a car shaped to look different.
For those that tow with the GX460 what are your impressions? Do you ever have to watch the temperature gage? Does it have a transmission temperature gage on the dash? How is maintenance on the transmission? Is it straight forward on changing out fluid?
04-08-17, 09:07 AM
#133
Super Moderator
Unfortunately I don't have any experience towing with mine yet but it seems fairly solid. I plan to tow in the 3000-3500lb range. I sought out one with the rear air suspension since towing threads I came across highly recommended this if you planned to tow. As you have probably read it auto levels on the rear with air suspension. If you decide to go this route the the telltale sign while shopping is all 4 switches to the right of the shifter.
I saw a write up on the Tundra forums and will link if I can find it. It appears to be something like drain and fill to top of hole like a diff and then wait for extra to stop dripping out. I think you can only get two quarts or so out at a time. I'll see what my FSM says specifically.
As for transmission temps... no gauge but might be a parameter picked up via OBD. You can get the cheap Wifi/BT dongles anywhere for less than $20 and use a free program like Torque. You can then monitor temps with your phone while you are towing. I will confirm this at some point. Sometimes extended codes are picked up by standard OBD and require special equipment from manufacturer to read. Although ScanGauge might pick it up too.
I saw a write up on the Tundra forums and will link if I can find it. It appears to be something like drain and fill to top of hole like a diff and then wait for extra to stop dripping out. I think you can only get two quarts or so out at a time. I'll see what my FSM says specifically.
As for transmission temps... no gauge but might be a parameter picked up via OBD. You can get the cheap Wifi/BT dongles anywhere for less than $20 and use a free program like Torque. You can then monitor temps with your phone while you are towing. I will confirm this at some point. Sometimes extended codes are picked up by standard OBD and require special equipment from manufacturer to read. Although ScanGauge might pick it up too.
04-11-17, 12:16 AM
#134
I tow a 5000 lb trailer around all the time and the GX is extremely good. Highway and curvy roads too. I do recommend getting a brake controller. I got a Tekonsha and the install was easy following the directions and tips on this forum.
