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Just purchased a new 2016 RX and noticed there are no front tow hooks or anywhere to attach a tow hook on the front of the vehicle. My previous RX had a spot in the front bumper to attach a tow hook. Wonder why Lexus chose to get rid of this on the 2016 model? I know it is a silly thing to miss, but I live a few hours away from the closest city and it can take 2-3 hours before a tow truck can reach you. Most of the time when I got stuck in my last RX I would call my brother who has a truck to get me out of the situation instead of waiting hours for a tow truck. Unless I'm missing them, but I couldn't locate the front tow hooks anywhere (either on the front bumper or underneath). Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Good find and very interesting indeed. Funny how it says "vehicles with a towing eyelet". I wonder which countries would have the towing eyelets and why they chose not to include them on the RX in North America (or at least Canada). Can anyone else confirm that their 2016 RX does not have the towing eyelets?
North American RX models that are built in Cambrige plant will not have front tow hooks. Reason for this is that they are not coming from Japan and therefore not being transported on a boat. When Lexus vehicles are being transported on a boat, they use the front tow hook to tie down the vehicle on the ship. With the ones built in Cambridge, they are being shipped by train/truck only, and use different method of tying down the vehicle when in transport. So my guess is they try to save a bit of money in manufacturing and not add in the tow hook (because it isn't needed).
It sure would be useful in the event that the car needed to be pulled up onto a flatbed for an emergency ride to the dealer.
That’s why I’ve relocated both the eyelet and the wheel lock tools to the center console (as excavation of a loaded cargo area while on the side of a dark roadway during some cross-country trip would not be fun).
The alternative is hoping that the wrecker driver has some skills at finding a suitable point when he reaches down and places-by-Braille his tow hook onto something (which frequently ends up being an important steering component) strong enough for him to pull the car onto the flatbed.
I'd like to haul our 2 kayaks on our 2016 RX 350 but have no way of attaching a front or bow line to the front of the vehicle. Our Lexus was clearly made in the US because it doesn't have the front tow eyelets. Our local Lexus dealer confirmed that. They did suggest a possible solution, and here is their email:
"Grill replacement to allow left and right tow hooks sticking through the front grill. The tow hooks screw into the frame rails . About $225.00 in parts and $150.00 labor to replace the grill to allow for tow hook access. About $400.00 total."
So the threaded hole is there behind the US F-sport grills? We just have to custom or cut out a piece of the grille to attach a tow hook. Am i understanding correctly?
So the threaded hole is there behind the US F-sport grills? We just have to custom or cut out a piece of the grille to attach a tow hook. Am i understanding correctly?
That's my understanding. I'd check with a Lexus service shop to make sure before you cut into your grille.
I haul my kayaks with my RX. I used the front tow hooks on my RX400h but there are no tow hooks on my new 2020 Rx350. I think it is because the owners manual forbids towing this vehicle with the wheels down. To tie down my kayaks in front, I instead bought a cheap loop hook (strap) on Amazon and bolted it to a bolt right under the front of the hood. In some ways it is better than the tow hook because it is hidden under the hood when not in use ad saves the step of having to twist in the tow hook.
I was looking at my RX350 (2017MY) and could not see anywhere the cover to pop out in order to insert the towing eye bolts, front nor rear.
Was at the dealer today and in earlier years vehicles (not RX) it was there plainly insight, but could not see this in any of the RX models from 2017 up to 2022.
Do any of you have any more knowledge on this?
11-25-15 | 04:06 PM
No front tow hooks anymore?
