ranger55

Hey guys, Im new to this forum so I hope I can get some help with the questions I have. I have a 2000 Lexus LS400 (almost 190,000 miles on the odo, only owner and will never get rid of it!) is in great shape, that is completely stock. Im looking into buying a Ranger z117 bass boat that is about 18 feet long and weighs about 1500 pounds and thats without gear/gas/ etc. Im not exactly sure what the trailer weighs to be honest. I was wondering if my stock LS400 will be able to handle a boat of this size without any mods, or if not, what would you guys on here recommend I do to be able to tow a boat like this , and maybe one or two people in the car. if I have to mod the car hopefully it wont cost me an arm and two legs lol but I am willing to spend a few dollars to make the car appropriate for my needs. I may also be doing a few long road trips with the boat as well and I'm hoping I don't have to buy another car simply because I want this boat and my ls400 is my first child!!!! I will eventually be getting a nice truck to tow but not for a few years fyi. Any help would be great I really appreciate it, thanks guys!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

please search, there are a couple threads on bolt-in tow-bars and if the trailer is under 500lbs (1 short ton total) then you should be fine if the rest of the car is properly maintained.

Kansas

Here is one of those threads in which I posted information about towing capacity: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...8-trailer.html

With a transmission cooler, the documented towing capacity of the LS400 sold in Europe was 2,000 kg which is 4409.25 pounds.

I bought the tow hitch and wiring harness for my last (2000) LS400 in 2003 from etrailer.com in Wentzville, Missouri. The first thing I did after I bought a Sienna van in April to replace the 2000 LS400 was to buy a hitch and harness for it from etrailer.com.

Etrailer currently has a 3,500 pound capacity Curt hitch for your LS400. It's pretty easy to install - just drop the mufflers and bolt the hitch above the muffler brackets. The trailer wiring harness should not be powered directly from the car's tail lights - there is a hot terminal to the left side of the engine compartment fuse box perfect for powering trailer lights. I had a mechanic run the trailer harness power wire out an ABS wire hold in the trunk underneath the car to the engine compartment.

I think you will need a transmission cooler if you are going to tow your boat - it will likely be well over 2,000 pounds fully loaded including the trailer.