Towing Hitch for LS460

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11-02-14, 05:15 AM

#16

cruzinZ

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey100

In the long-run, it's gonna be cheaper to go buy a highly used Ford F150. And you'll get a lot better hauling.
The LS was never intended by the design team to be used that way - hauling items using a hitch - custom or not.
I did not say you could not engineer a way ........ I did say it isn't actually economically feasible nor practical.
And you MAY have destroyed (if you did go thru with the project) any resale value in case at some in the future you wished to dispose of the LS.

Good Luck, no matter what your choice. Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

My advice on the subject is to use the proper tool for the job. While your car is more than capable to handle a jetski on flat ground it will put more resistance against the drive train on mountain roads. I'm sure you can pick up a cheap truck for a couple grand that will pull it without any problems. It will also come in handy for those times when you need to move something that won't fit in a car. Only downside would be the additional cost of a vehicle. My point of view is it worth the risk? If you damage the transmission on your car what is that going to cost? What is the cost of ownership going to be with the truck, compared to a transmission repair bill, and it's added value to you and your family? Sometimes it's just nice to have a truck around.

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11-02-14, 06:06 AM

#17

roadfrog

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Why would the transmission be at risk? These transmissions are essentially the same as those found in Toyota's truck line with a few extra gears, are they not? Also, it's cooled. We're talking about a jet-ski here, not an Airstream.

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11-02-14, 07:43 AM

#18

Arvid

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A German company make hitches for the LS 460 and 460L, but with 50mm European ball coupling... can tow up to a 1900 Kg (that's 4188 lbs) trailer and have up to 90 Kg (198 lbs) coupling weight.

You can ask them if the also make the coupling You need.. but ain't cheap ...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Lexus-LS-460-...item35d558cc13

will fit on:

Lexus LS UVF4_, USF4_ 460 2008/05-2014/12 4608 ccm, 255 KW, 347 PS
Lexus LS UVF4_, USF4_ 460 2006/04-2014/12 4608 ccm, 280 KW, 381 PS

and...In Germany I think these will have a TÜV sertificate..and these are not easy to get without documention that the car would manage the weights and so on...

Internet is nice :-) ...here is an US manufacturer:
http://www.curtmfg.com/Search?term=LS460
Much cheaper ...from US$ 223.....

and one of these for sale on e-bay : Buy it now for $ 149,37:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Curt-Class-2...-/290931048765

Last edited by Arvid; 11-02-14 at 07:50 PM. Reason: more info incerted

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11-02-14, 08:01 AM

#19

Devh

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Pamperme

Taken from consumer affairs website:
"I purchased a 2013 Lexus LS 460 about 2 months ago with only 9000 miles, with the Toyota warranty. Thought I was getting a great car and protected. WRONG. Turned out to be the worst car I have ever owned, and I am 71 years old and have seen plenty of cars in my time. 3 weeks after buying it the transmission stopped working, so I took it to a Lexus dealer. They call me later and informed me that Lexus rejected my warranty claim because the car has had a trailer hitch installed. They claim the transmission went bad because someone tried to tow something with a car that is not capable of towing anything, and it is my loss. Car is still at the transmission shop, and it is costing me 3500 bucks. They told me they do numerous Toyota transmissions that Toyota is keeping their kids in college with cars like these and it appears they are backed up on Toyota and Lexus transmissions. Selling it and buying a real car, a BMW."

My advise would be not to tow with your LS. How did it ever turn out for you?
I question the transmission shops "numerous.. Toyota transmissions" remark considering Toyota has the most reliable transmissions of any manufacturer.

You find these little tid bits about everything on the internet. The more irate the supposed owner the more suspect their version of their story becomes. For all we know this could be a BMW apologist as there are many of those types that have a habit of trolling indiscriminately, primarily because of the lack luster stigma of their brands reliability record. American car fan boys have been doing it for years.
We have our share of issues but by far I never read a post here of someone that has damaged one of these transmissions. It's not just the fact that the transmission is built right from an engineering perspective but because Toyota has been very conservative on the performance algorithms to make it boring.