IS300eR

iTrader: (7)

My beater- X5's lease is up in about a year, so i'm looking to see if there is a lexus (maybe this one) that i can drive with that can also tow my IS3 if i ever have that car to show nation-wide later.

so does anyone know the towing capacity on this GX470???

lonewolf69

Towing capacity is 5000lbs with the factory Class II hitch. Although rumors persists that the Class II hitch is no longer available for the 05' model. I personally have a CLASS III hitch much "BEEFIER" than the Class II hitch and that is rated for 6500lbs.

After market Class III hitch, from Curt Manufacturing but dealer installed! Here is a link:
http://www.hitchsource.com/product_i...ducts_id=25951


Hope this helps, good luck...!

IS300eR

iTrader: (7)

thanx for the info sir lonewolf , this whole "towing" concept is still new to me, so by adding the aftermarket or upgrading oem "hitch" would make the GX have higher towing capacity?

i would love to hear some experience of anyone using this car for towing and their review on this.

loflin

IS300eR, are you taling about a 2005 GX? 2004 and before the towing capacity is somewhat confusing.

But for 2005 GX, the max towing with either the factory Class III hitch or aftermarket is 6500lb.

lonewolf69

As I was told from the dealer, the OEM "hidden" hitch was a CLASS II with max capacity of 5000lbs, this is a "smaller" hitch partially "hidden" inside the bumper.

The aftermarket one I purchased is from Curt Manufacture, and is about 40lbs it is the width of the GX470 and mounts on with 8 bolts (Four LARGE and Four SMALL) directly onto the FRAME of the GX470. The rear TOW hooks on the left hand side of the truck needs to be removed. The new TOW hitch will use the existing holes for the TOW hook and other holes to mount (total of 8) to mount this hitch.

The hitch does NOT come with a cover, but a quick call to Sewell Lexus (Dallas, TX) and I was able to get a OEM "LEXUS" black plastic/rubber 2" cover cap to put onto my new hitch!

IMHO, I think it looks more "rugged" than the "smaller" Class II (OEM) hitch. Hitch plus shipping and installation cost me $195...

Good Luck...

SacKen

The original OEM factory installed hitch was 5000 lbs and was mostly hidden behind the bumper. Later in life (not sure exactly when, but by the time I got my 2004) Lexus finally had the "Dealer Installed" hitch that they advertised early on but didn't really have. This hitch is 6500 lbs. It is what I received when I purchased my GX and specified I wanted the hitch. From what I have seen in pictures, it is pretty much the same as some of the aftermarket ones I have seen posted on this site: beefy round tube design that hangs a little below the bumper.

That all said, I tow my 4500 lb boat with ease. There are others on this site that tow even bigger boats with no problem. One of the GX veterans tows his fun car around as well. You should have no problems towing your IS.

IS300eR

iTrader: (7)

loflin, yes , i was talking about the05'~up GX, most likely even 06'~up (since that's when the lease is up)

thanx to lonewolf again, and sacken for both of your generous sharings, now i know that the "hitch" you guys been saying, i will be looking more into that.

thanx again!

steevr

We have a late '04 model with the factory 6,500 lb hitch. We tow our 5,500 lb 23 ft boat without a problem.