vchan2016

My daughter got a new car and gave me her 2009 RX350 with 180,000 miles which is a nice SUV. The RX350 has the towing option rated for 3500 lbs and my boat and trailer and gear came in 3200 lbs on a truck scale. Most of the towing is on flat ground with only three hills to climb with less than 1000 ft elevation and takes me 10 minutes each. Since the Lexus already have an engine coolant temperature gauge, I am thinking of adding a transmission oil temperature gauge and an engine oil temperature gauge to monitor the temperatures. The trailer has a hydrualic braking system which works well and I only tow during the Spring and Fall (fishing seasons) and never on a hot summer day in California. Has anyone out there added either the two proposed temperature gauges or added a larger engine oil/transmission oil radiators to their 2004-2009 RX350? The RX350 is so nice that I want to protect it. If I am successful, I can sell my 2000 GMC Safari Van with a 5000 lbs tow capacity.

WagonRut

As you probably know it'll be harder on the little engine they put in these, but it can be done. Adding the extras won't do much to protect the metal though. I've used mine for a full season to drag my boat that weighs about as much as yours to and from the lake 30 minutes away. Several hard hills too. Just take it easy and you'll be fine, but I wouldn't do it long term. I picked up a 2000 F250 the next season and gave my Lexus a rest.

Felix

I'd at least add the bigger trans cooler you can find, as well as your trans temp gauge. Use 3rd or possibly 4th depending on the speed. The 2gr likes some rpm & will rev. Or use your van or if you prefer get a 1/2 ton truck, I prefer trucks vs vans. Full frame vs unibody......

Margate330

That's what I'm thinking too.
Pulling my 17' bass boat felt so heavy.

Not when driving since our cars have more than enough power but the scary feeling comes when having to stop quickly, I felt like the car was being pushed and it did not feel right.
I guess what I'm trying to say is the power is there but leave yourself plenty of room to brake cuz that boat will feel heavy on the back and our brakes are weak. IMO

PS- I was kicking myself for getting rid of my 3/4 ton Dodge with Turbo Diesel, yeah I know that's way overkill but I had a truck that would pull it like it was a bag of cheese puffs and sold the truck just before I bought the boat. I was planning on buying a boat that I could pull with my RX same as you. lol

Felix

Realistically, most ppl are best off w/ a p/u or a full frame suv for pulling trailers. The rx isn't engineered for trailer towing.....Yea it'll do it, but then any cuv/suv's will do it. It has poor braking performance by itself at 4200lbs as well. The short wheelbase doesn't help either. Possibly look at a GMT400/800 or 900 or a Gen 10 F150 or 11th gen 150....I'd go for a CC w/ 2wd or a Tahoe/Escalade or Avalanche or Escalade ext.....If I was looking for, I'd go for 10th Gen Hog truck (02-03 Harley-Davidson edition.

vchan2016

I am a van guy and not a truck guy. My 2000 Safari Van is a body on frame with 5,000 lbs tow capacity so it easily tow my 3200 lbs boat. The RX is rated to tow 3500 lbs and my trailer has brakes so i am not worried about stopping on flat surfaces. There are very few down hills and I am smart enough to be cautious when coming down hill. I think a transmission cooler is the way to go as some people has suggested. I will test tow my boat with my RX to see how it performs before selling my van. My van is my beater vehicle but it is over 23 years old and I want to convert my 2009 RX into my beater vehicle abd sell my van.