I have a 2017 RX 450h with awd and the tow package. I'm looking at purchasing this travel trailer. My concern is the dry hitch weight rating of 370 pounds. I do not know what the car can handle but the salesman seemed to think the RX can handle 10% to !5% of the overall dry weight of the trailer. which is 2,850 pounds. 2850 X 10% is 285 pounds and 15% is 427 pounds.

Is the RX 450h able to handle this hitch weight?

 

i thought you cant tow with the hybrids? the RX350 is only rated for 3500lbs too.

 

i have a 2016 RX450h with a hitch mounted by Lexus. It is rated for 2000 kg towing load an a 80 kg max. Vertical load on the towball. Way to go is find out the manufacturer of the hitch and acquire the specifications for it. Your caravan dealer should know this too. His numbers on the vertical load are far too high !

best regards Frank

 

you can, same 3500 lbs.

 

I'm leaning towards adding both a sway bar and a weight distribution kit to make thing work safely. JSRacer, did you have to add such?

 

Here's your answer to ANY TOWING QUESTIONS:

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads...#post-14394642

 

See page 219 of the owner's manual for trailer towing info. Following pages provide lots of information...................
4-1. Before driving pg. 219 Driving RX450h_ Contact your Lexus dealer for further information about additional requirements such as a towing kit, etc. Trailer towing (vehicles with towing package) Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you are using appropriate towing equipment, that the towing equipment has been installed correctly and used properly, and that you employ the requisite driving habits. Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brakes, the hitch and hitch systems (if equipped). To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with your trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions.

 

FrankV - when you say his numbers on the vertical load are too high are you relating to 370l bs or about 168 kilos as being too much for the car to handle??

 

Wallvestor, as I wrote in my earlier post, the Lexus hitch I have is approved for 80 kg vertical load. I assume the vertical load is limited by Lexus, and not by the hitch itself. Therefore I assume both vertical loads mentioned in your post are both far too high. But again, as I suggested before, check with your hitch manufacturer to make sure what the max vertical load for this hitch on your car is.

 

This is the hitch I intend to install tomorrow. https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13282 it's rated higher than the vehicle's specs.

Then I will have this sway bar weight distribution kit attached:
https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies...-Lbs/?id=16123

Had oil in the RX changed today, in anticipation of the towing stress. Will have pics tomorrow of the install.

 

I did not, but my tongue weight is much lower and balanced with a scale, the red bike was adjusted back and forth to keep the balance. it is in the 10-15% so only 150+ lbs or so.
my total trailer with bikes is only like 1500 lbs. it pulls perfect, and is silent back there 90% of the time. very smooth and nice. just drug it 12 hours yesterday. (photo from yesterday morning)

 

OK. We made it towing the trailer behind the 450h. I probably would not do it again that far though. Seemed hard on the car and used gas twice as fast as the car does when not pulling a trailer. No sway, no issues, just a big drag having to go slow and use so much fuel.

 

nice, I just did 1300 miles with my bikes pictured above, and 2500 miles very soon. my package is more streamlined though. gas averages about 20mpg, doing 80mph (have ran 90s for hundreds of miles in Kentucky keeping up with traffic)

wallvestor, how far did you tow that ?? glad to hear it was stable, curious what speed and mileage, definitely looks a bit more substantial than my little setup

 

Over 1600 miles typically at 55 to 60 mph, burning fuel at the rate of 14 to 16 miles per gallon. Typically I get 30+ mpg. It just felt like the car was straining, probably because it was pulling at the limit of 3500 pounds.

 

I usually get 17 to 21 towing, but that's at 80mph with my 450h
(much lighter at about 1500 lbs)