Towing/ water with RX 450h
06-14-09, 06:29 PM
#1
Towing/ water with RX 450h
Hello RX forum 
My family is current debating between a Highlander Hybrid and an RX 450h. The HH has the edge in space and price obviously, but the RX has the nod in power, efficiency, technology, luxury, and about every other conceivable area.
There is now another consideration to be made...towing. We recently purchased a lake house so there will be a need for some light towing. I know that the towing capacity is 3500 lbs and we should be well below that, but what are the stipulations with towing in a hybrid? I heard a story of a guy trying to tow a boat in his RX 400h and he fried the battery because it was towing uphill out of a steep grade...something about the battery being the sole supplier of power at speeds less than 25mph with the extra weight caused it to fry. Anyone know anything about this? Can anyone give tips or facts on towing with a hybrid?
Also, we will be backing the boat into the marina every now and then and the back of the car will be partially in the water. While it will be far from submersion, the water may come up to the rear body of the car and around the exhaust pipe area. I would imagine that there are some stipulations with this as well?
My nearly mother-in-law had her heart set on a hybrid SUV before the lake house was purchased so I am just trying to determine the viability of a hybrid for our needs with towing/lake use.
Thank you
My family is current debating between a Highlander Hybrid and an RX 450h. The HH has the edge in space and price obviously, but the RX has the nod in power, efficiency, technology, luxury, and about every other conceivable area.
There is now another consideration to be made...towing. We recently purchased a lake house so there will be a need for some light towing. I know that the towing capacity is 3500 lbs and we should be well below that, but what are the stipulations with towing in a hybrid? I heard a story of a guy trying to tow a boat in his RX 400h and he fried the battery because it was towing uphill out of a steep grade...something about the battery being the sole supplier of power at speeds less than 25mph with the extra weight caused it to fry. Anyone know anything about this? Can anyone give tips or facts on towing with a hybrid?
Also, we will be backing the boat into the marina every now and then and the back of the car will be partially in the water. While it will be far from submersion, the water may come up to the rear body of the car and around the exhaust pipe area. I would imagine that there are some stipulations with this as well?
My nearly mother-in-law had her heart set on a hybrid SUV before the lake house was purchased so I am just trying to determine the viability of a hybrid for our needs with towing/lake use.
Thank you
06-14-09, 11:05 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Hello RX forum
My family is current debating between a Highlander Hybrid and an RX 450h. The HH has the edge in space and price obviously, but the RX has the nod in power, efficiency, technology, luxury, and about every other conceivable area.
There is now another consideration to be made...towing. We recently purchased a lake house so there will be a need for some light towing. I know that the towing capacity is 3500 lbs and we should be well below that, but what are the stipulations with towing in a hybrid? I heard a story of a guy trying to tow a boat in his RX 400h and he fried the battery because it was towing uphill out of a steep grade...something about the battery being the sole supplier of power at speeds less than 25mph with the extra weight caused it to fry. Anyone know anything about this? Can anyone give tips or facts on towing with a hybrid?
Also, we will be backing the boat into the marina every now and then and the back of the car will be partially in the water. While it will be far from submersion, the water may come up to the rear body of the car and around the exhaust pipe area. I would imagine that there are some stipulations with this as well?
My nearly mother-in-law had her heart set on a hybrid SUV before the lake house was purchased so I am just trying to determine the viability of a hybrid for our needs with towing/lake use.
Thank you
My family is current debating between a Highlander Hybrid and an RX 450h. The HH has the edge in space and price obviously, but the RX has the nod in power, efficiency, technology, luxury, and about every other conceivable area.
There is now another consideration to be made...towing. We recently purchased a lake house so there will be a need for some light towing. I know that the towing capacity is 3500 lbs and we should be well below that, but what are the stipulations with towing in a hybrid? I heard a story of a guy trying to tow a boat in his RX 400h and he fried the battery because it was towing uphill out of a steep grade...something about the battery being the sole supplier of power at speeds less than 25mph with the extra weight caused it to fry. Anyone know anything about this? Can anyone give tips or facts on towing with a hybrid?
Also, we will be backing the boat into the marina every now and then and the back of the car will be partially in the water. While it will be far from submersion, the water may come up to the rear body of the car and around the exhaust pipe area. I would imagine that there are some stipulations with this as well?
My nearly mother-in-law had her heart set on a hybrid SUV before the lake house was purchased so I am just trying to determine the viability of a hybrid for our needs with towing/lake use.
Thank you
06-14-09, 11:17 PM
#3
Hello RX forum
I heard a story of a guy trying to tow a boat in his RX 400h and he fried the battery because it was towing uphill out of a steep grade...something about the battery being the sole supplier of power at speeds less than 25mph with the extra weight caused it to fry. Anyone know anything about this? Can anyone give tips or facts on towing with a hybrid?
Thank you
I heard a story of a guy trying to tow a boat in his RX 400h and he fried the battery because it was towing uphill out of a steep grade...something about the battery being the sole supplier of power at speeds less than 25mph with the extra weight caused it to fry. Anyone know anything about this? Can anyone give tips or facts on towing with a hybrid?
Thank you
As far as operating in water, I drove my 400h through deep water several times during our monsoon seasons with no problem.
Steve
06-18-09, 04:14 PM
#4
I tow my 2000+ lb boat (17 footer with a Honda 75HP motor) with no problem with my 400h. Just got back from a trip to Canada - 600 miles total. It tows great. No problem on steep hills. I even averaged about 21mph which is awesome compared to my last Chevy Blazer. I lose about 6-8 mph while I am towing but that is less than I would have expected.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ultra63
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
1
07-31-05 02:54 PM
