k4kiru

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and looking for some suggestion on towing with my IS250 (2011 Model).

We are moving from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX and planing to tow a UHAUL 4' X 8" Trailer (http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/Eq....aspx?model=UV) or 5' X 8' (http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/Eq....aspx?model=AV) with our luggage of approx weight 1000 lbs in it. We do not have the hitch setup installed on our car yet. Uhaul has a hitch setup/kit and offering for $360 including installation charges. But i am wondering if this a good idea to tow with IS250. What are the issues i would encounter and etc...

Please advise.

-KM

robbieca

It's just my opinion but I think there is a considerable risk to your car, especially your transmission. Those trailers weight close to 600 to 750# by themselves and 1000# of luggage would be more than I would be willing risk both to my car and to my safety.

Then again I couldn't even stand the thought of adding a hitch to a luxury car. I'd look into renting an SUV from a rental car company, put it on a pallet and ship it via a freight company, or sell off anything that wouldn't fit in the IS

Neema

spend a little more and rent an SUV, it says in the manual it is not recomended. My buddy blew a transmission lugging a couple jet-skis upstate.

keyframe13

Did you read your manual first. I think it's quite obvious mentioned there that this car is not design for that.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Personally, I'd not risk it. Rent a Uhaul truck and trailer the 2IS.

bob4256

iTrader: (17)

Dont do it.

Either risk messing up your tranny vs renting a uhaul. I would go with the latter

whitebeast

iTrader: (5)

+1 this option is the best to me.

panda08

iTrader: (1)

even if you were to install a hitch, it would have a small *** receiver probably meant for something like a bike rack... I wouldn't recommend renting a uhaul van either, they charge be the mile...

sjgIS350

penny wise...pound foolish!
don't bring a boy to do a man's job

Crispy

iTrader: (3)

There's already a thread from waaay back about this.

Here's the link:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-the-is-2.html

And c'mon if a little Honda can do it, surely our cars can!


No seriously though, I am NOT recommending you tow anything with your IS. Seems like a terrible idea.

hhss

iTrader: (1)

I once saw a is300 on fire, and it was from trying to tow.

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

In Europe, I believe Lexus rates the car to tow 1500lbs.

Not sure how much that helps, but Lexus USA does not recommend towing with the car.

Jeff

1sWt2GS

iTrader: (6)

i definitely would not tow with an is250 maybe an IS-F




Just kidding, dont tow anything with your IS! The little 200 hp engine cant handle that much weight and will stress the tranny. I personally baby my car so it would be Flatbedded with a U-Hual

Nikon

iTrader: (2)

i can second this... because nearly no europeans drive trucks or larger SUVs with hauling space in the vehicle. if people need the space of a truck bed to move something they hook up their small trailer. even on a car that in america would recommend from the manufacturer, "do not tow with this vehicle".

1500lbs seems like a safe maximum weight to tow behind the car. but be prepared for the general consensus in america to not agree with you towing with a car.

i think what it is mostly is that americans will take an approval to tow as meaning the green light to tow a 4,000 lb. boat so a blanket rule of "no towing recommended" is safer for the manufacturer. they have to take into account the american common sense + willingness to sue for anything.

Chuy250

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't recommend anyone to tow with their IS. It has bad written all over it. And also in the owners manual it states no towing. Renting a UHAL is way cheaper, even though they charge for the mile, then messing up your tanny and then fixing it.