Hi everyone. I have never owned a Lexus but am seriously thinking about selling my full size truck (Ram 1500 limited 4x4) and getting an Rx. I am looking at new 2016 RX350 FSPORT AWD vehicles. I feel like a truck is overkill for my life overall. I do need to tow a couple times a month. I have an ATV with a trailer. Total weight = 1,100 pounds.

a few questions...

1) Have you towed with this vehicle before? How does it do towing?

2) I have always had 4x4 vehicles and 1 awd before. How does this vehicle do in the snow?

3) is it roomy and what would you compare it to? I'm 6'2" 250#. Jeep Grand Cherokee's are roomy for me.

any other tips? Thanks in advance

 

Owner's Manual cautions not to tow 2WD or AWD as damage may occur. You can Google for PDF Owner's Manual on Lexus web site.

 

Unsure what that reply means. I am not towing the Lexus. I would be towing an 1,100 pound trailer/atv with the Lexus.

 

The towing capacity is rated at 3500 pounds.

http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/...specs.download

 

The OP meant he wants to use the 4RX to tow his ATV/trailer, not asking if he can have the 4RX towed.
Lexus states that the 4RX is not designed for towing stuff, but if you must, not to exceed 3500lbs gross trailer weight. And for 2000lbs. or more, you need to install anti-sway.
At the end of the Towing chapter in the manual, they state they do not recommend towing anything with the 4RX at all, period, unless you get the towing package..

 

I have a Gen 3 RX and regularly tow a Polaris RZR 1350 lbs, guessing 2300 lbs with trailer. The RX tows fine and I have just the regular hitch. I don't tow long distances maybe 100 miles round trip. Fuel economy drops quite a bit down to 12-13 bin up and down terrain. Even with the older 6 speed it pulls hills and will pull at freeway speeds and outperforms my buddies Tacoma pickup. I do have the tow package. My trailer has the rear axel back to compensate for the rear engine RZR but I could load it backwards for more tongue weight. IMO you don't need an equalizer hitch if you balance the load. Will it tow as well as your 1/2 ton-no. It does seem to be holding up have 70,000 and no issues.

 

Forgot you asked about snow. AWD and a set of studless winter tires and you won't be disappointed. I have Blizzacks on my RX and Michelin X Ice on my truck and drive winter roads a lot. My RX doesn't have the ground clearance for deep snow but otherwise works very well. I wouldn't tow in the winter though.
When I get a new RX I'll put on Michelins because they seem to be a little better than the B's. Since I spend a lot of time on winter roads my first investment is a 2nd set of of tires and wheels. It's a big investment but over time you put less miles on the factory tires so They last forever.

 

What do you folks think about towing one of those trailers that people use for kayaks? I can't imagine one of the small trailers weighing more than 200 or 300 pounds and then about 75 for each kayak. So maybe just below 500 lbs I would want to tow.

Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._i=10208180011