ManXP

Does anyone has experience towing jet ski (or small boat) with IS? I'm looking to buy a jet ski, but there's a problem - there are 2 cars in family: IS 250 and LS 460, both RWD. Since no towing hitch is available for LS (at least in Europe), IS will have to get the job done (because I really don't want to buy a 3rd car or replace any of existing cars).

I know no problems will occur when towing on road, but I'm not so confident when it comes to pulling the trailer with loaded jetski out of water. The total weight (trailer + ski) will be 500-600 KG, and rear wheels of car will be in water. This is what worries me a lot. Boat launch ramp will be like this - http://ezdocktexas.com/media/uploads...k/100_0699.JPG

Any comments?

nosurprise

iTrader: (1)

I've never tried to tow anything with the IS. The manual says it's not designed to tow anything, and it's not recommended. I take that to mean you can tow something if absolutely needed but shouldn't. And there might be some damage depends on how much you tried to tow.

HartFB

I personally wouldn't try it... not sure if the 2is has enough breaking capability for that extra 600kg as that's a good amount of extra weight on a 1500kg car.

I know you said you didn't want to buy a third car but 1000-2000$ can go a long way as far as finding a little truck that could do it for you. Insurance would be near nothing as it most likely wouldn't be new/expensive and maintenance should be fairly easy bc it sounds like you won't be using/abusing it. Sure it may sound like a lot but in the end you have a truck you can tow/move anything as well as having a spare vehicle if something (god forbid carbon build up) comes up. Just a thought..

Saw your link was from TX so just took a min to throw out an example.. https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/6006120727.html
She ain't pretty but she'll get the job done and you can potentially have a little project to kill some Sundays with.

ManXP

Thanks for the input. I forgot to mention that I live in EU, and both cars are for EU market, so they have slightly better "hardware" (like most of cars for EU markets, not only Lexus). Even Lexus dealers sell OEM towing sets for IS in Europe, and of course, my first task BEFORE even considering towing with IS was to check user guide AND go to the dealer. Both confirmed that IS 250 can absolutely tow 750 KG.

ScDan

Hi im wondering if anyone has had towing experience with an sc300?. I have a 95 Auto trans in very good condition. I Am from Massachusetts and am currently going to collage in Ohio. I have a Yamaha R6 that i am planing to bringing out for the summer mostly to commute, cant beat almost 50mpg.
The bike weighs 360Lbs
U-haul Trailer is 1000Lbs
Plus 200Lbs of other
Mass to Ohio is 850 mile
Fully capable to make my own trailer hitch witch i plan on doing. there roughly 200$ online and i can make one for less then half that
Anyone ever towed 1600Lbs with an Sc for 850 miles 800 on the highway
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks