LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Atttach A Trailer To Ls400

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Old 08-05-07 | 12:56 PM
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Default Atttach A Trailer To Ls400

CAN YOU ATTTACH A HITCH TO A 98 LS400, I NEED TO TOW A GOLF CART.
Old 08-05-07 | 05:16 PM
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yes, ive seen HOW-TO's on it
Old 08-05-07 | 06:52 PM
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Sure, you can install a hitch on your 98 LS. Here is where I bought one for my similar 2000 LS400: http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-1998_Lexus_LS400.htm

Wiring the trailer lights will cost another $40 - $100 depending on whether you do it yourself or have someone do it for you.

Attached is a photo of the hitch on my garage floor before the install. On my 00 LS, I use the hitch primarily for a bike rack. On my first LS, a 1990, I towed a 4'x8' utility trailer regularly for about 10 years.

With its powerful engine and robust construction, the LS makes a great tow car -- I've found that those who tell you it doesn't do not have personal experience towing a trailer with an LS.
Attached Thumbnails Atttach A Trailer To Ls400-hitch-before-install.jpg  
Old 08-05-07 | 06:54 PM
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Here is a photo of the Draw-Tite hitch installed on my 2000 LS400.
Attached Thumbnails Atttach A Trailer To Ls400-hitch-on-00-ls.jpg  
Old 08-05-07 | 06:55 PM
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And here is one more photo with my bike rack plugged in the hitch on my 2000 LS400.
Attached Thumbnails Atttach A Trailer To Ls400-hitch-with-bike-rack.jpg  
Old 08-05-07 | 06:58 PM
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o very nice, i never real thought of a hitch on an ls but i never really thought of the bike rack idea either
Old 08-05-07 | 07:28 PM
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http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/trailerhitch.html
Old 08-05-07 | 07:49 PM
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PD, the trailer hitch and instructions in the tutorial are only for a 1990-94 LS400 and the hitch shown in the tutorial is a very light duty Class I hitch that doesn't even have a connection point for a safety chain. The 98-00 LS400 is completely different and the hitch for the 98-00 does not attached to the rear of the bumper beam like the class I and class II hitches did on the gen 1 LS.

Last edited by Kansas; 08-05-07 at 07:53 PM.
Old 08-05-07 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Kansas
PD, the trailer hitch and instructions in the tutorial are only for a 1990-94 LS400 and the hitch shown in the tutorial is a very light duty Class I hitch that doesn't even have a connection point for a safety chain. The 98-00 LS400 is completely different and the hitch for the 98-00 does not attached to the rear of the bumper beam like the class I and class II hitches did on the gen 1 LS.
hmm, interesting.

i know nothing about towing stuff (friend has an F350 Diesel that we use to tow **** around )
Old 08-06-07 | 07:19 AM
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just don't tow too much weight with it! just because the engine can pull it doesn't mean the brakes can stop it, nor the transmission and rear end handle the extra load. change your fluids! don't tow in OD.
Old 08-06-07 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 19psi
just don't tow too much weight with it! just because the engine can pull it doesn't mean the brakes can stop it, nor the transmission and rear end handle the extra load. change your fluids! don't tow in OD.
ehh, the 2LS is MORE than capable of towing around 2000lbs

the only MOD id recco is if ur towing for extended periods/distances is maybe a trans cooler.

the rear end and susp. and etc. can take the stress. the LS Owner's Manual even states the max loads >.>


now, would i tow on a 1st gen with 1st gen brakes? no.
Old 08-06-07 | 08:14 PM
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you think i could tow my ae86 around with it? thatd be pretty sick
Old 08-06-07 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Dutch
you think i could tow my ae86 around with it? thatd be pretty sick
ehh, it'd better be stripped down, think u can get a lightweight trailer and a stripped down hachi around 2200-2500lbs
Old 08-07-07 | 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by PureDrifter
ehh, the 2LS is MORE than capable of towing around 2000lbs

the only MOD id recco is if ur towing for extended periods/distances is maybe a trans cooler.

the rear end and susp. and etc. can take the stress. the LS Owner's Manual even states the max loads >.>


now, would i tow on a 1st gen with 1st gen brakes? no.
what is the max load anyway?
not trying to argue but i would never tow with any vehicle at it's max load. it's way too much for most vehicles even trucks. i have a grand cherokee with the 4.7 v8 HO with the factory tow package, 3.73 gears, trans cooler, etc. and it's supposed to tow 6500 lbs max. i had my galant vr4 on a trailer whic worked out to about 5500 and the jeep did not like it much. could not use OD on the freeway and the brakes were nowhere up to the task.

that being said, the small ring gear on an LS and small quantity of fluid in the diff can't dissipate the heat very well from extended periods of towing.
of course, this is all a moot point since i doubt anyone is going to be towing a car on a trailer behind their LS!
nonethelss, i would be hesitant to tow any more than 2000lbs MAX no matter what the manual says.
i also would not tow in OD on. way too much heat build up in the trans from the constant shifting in an out of OD.
Old 08-09-07 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Kansas
PD, the trailer hitch and instructions in the tutorial are only for a 1990-94 LS400 and the hitch shown in the tutorial is a very light duty Class I hitch that doesn't even have a connection point for a safety chain. The 98-00 LS400 is completely different and the hitch for the 98-00 does not attached to the rear of the bumper beam like the class I and class II hitches did on the gen 1 LS.
A class I hitch is all that's available for the first gen LS. And yes, it does have points to connnect the safety chains, they are just hidden.



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