ftatiger

I am interested in buying a Lexus RX350L with Tow Prep Package. But I looked everywhere on the eastern side of USA all Lexus dealerships, none of them have a 350L with Tow Prep package while the 2nd row seat is Bench Seat instead of Captain Seat. I don't like Captain Seat. I prefer to have bench seat because most of time I will lay 3rd row down to increase cargo space. I don't know if 2nd row bench seat option doesn't/can't coexist with Tow Prep Package. Called 3 dealers, 2 of them said they can and one said they can't. Called Lexus Tech Support, basically bunch of people without any knowledge and they kept asking me to ask and trust dealer salespersons.

Here is my question. If I purchase a RX350L with 2nd row bench seat and without Tow Prep Package, can it still safely tow something without damaging the car and void the warranty? If so, how much can it tow? I don't seem to find anywhere online for a definite answer to that. I hope someone here can help me.

Also, if I decide to take the risk to install a hitch without tow prep package, what hitch should I get? Is wiring going to be a headache? Does the underneath spare tire prevents the hitch from being installed? Many thanks in advance.

Kansas

The "build" feature of https://www.lexus.com is clear about the Tow Prep Package requiring the 2nd row captain's chairs.

The 2019 RX Owners Manual has this:

"Trailer towing (vehicles without towing package)
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also does
not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier
for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers."

Is the regular length RX350 available with a rear bench seat and the Tow Prep Package?

Clutchless

It appears you are interested in a 4th generation RX as there is no 3rd gen RX350L and I have never heard of captains chairs on the third gen.

mcomer

The Vehicle Supply chart for the RX350L shows that Tow Prep Pkg "TO" Requires Captains Chairs "CC"
The $265 "TO" consists of: Transmission and Engine Oil Cooler, Heavy Duty Radiator (does not include ball mount)

A thread in Club Lexus before the "L" variant was available covered the visual proof of the cooler mounted in
the lower left front facia. Look forward through the slots in the left wheel well and you will see the aluminum
fins. The cooler was there on RX with TO and missing on RX without TO.

The plot thickens a bit with the RXL. A quick peek at those in stock reveals that they all have the aluminum
fins visible whether they have TO or not.