TriniLex

Did Lexus offer the Rx 300 a tow package when it was new?

Does anyone have any pictures of their hitch?

defo

iTrader: (6)

Yes they did.....you can see my OEM hitch in this pic

Hatchman

Yes they did. Very few came with it though.
For later model first gen's, almost all the wiring and a junction box is already there. I just had to add a "pig tail" wiring from under the car in a black box to the hitch. Then installed a Hidden Hitch from etrailer.com. Very easy install. Took me about 30 minutes for the wiring and hitch.

Sorry I don't have a better/close up picture.

TriniLex

Where do I tap in for the wiring? I have a 2001 rx300

I was planning on buying this wiring kit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CURT-...Q5fAccessories

Hatchman

This is a great thread that I got all my info from for my instal:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...and-cheap.html

"I installed this wiring harness to the four prong connector under the car in the black plastic box and plugged in the supplied fuse in the "tow" slot and everything worked!"

If you crawl under the car, look for the black plastic box on the driver's side, about 2 feet from the rear bumper and 2 feet from the driver's rear tire. Can't miss it. you need to take a few screws out (3, I think) to remove the cover and it is easy to see where to plug in the pig tail. That is.... IF your car came prewired with the the towing 'brain'. If you hook up the pigtail, pop in the fuse, and nothing works, you may not have the towing "brain" and will have to wire one up, taping into the battery and the rear turn signals. Hope you don't have to go there.

All I needed was the pigtail you have pictured and the fuse that came with it to pop into the "tow" slot in the fuse box under the hood. Too easy.

Do you have an AWD? Most of the AWD had the tow package wiring alread there. If not, you will have to run the wires. If you have an RX300 that was prewired for the tow package, the wiring kit you have pictured looks exactly like the one I got from etrailer. If you haven't bought yet, I would get it from etrailer with the hitch from them. Worked for me.

JAB

In my 1999 AWD it was somewhat more complicated than Hatchman describes. See previous posts from me and 'Leines' on this issue.

bob2200

Note that the towing capacity of an RX300 with the towing package is rated at 3,500 pounds and without the towing package 1,000 pounds (as I recall). The tongue weight limit is only 100 or 200 pounds. I seem to recall that the towing package option added the transmission oil cooler and a possibly larger alternator.

salimshah

Answer is bit complicated. Based on year of production, the hitch options vary. I have an earlier model and the Lexus kit required me to wire up to the turn signals. Later models had a black box and needed a fuse.

Back then, you could order with a hitch. Toyota used to send vehicles to Dubai to install all options and then they would make to Gulf cost USA. [Cant say much about West coast]. Lexus would also have the hitch in their part store and based on customer order, could install it on site before delivery. I bough mine and did a self instal. Wrote a DIY and the thread is archived (too old)

Salim

TriniLex

I am having mixed feelings about putting this hitch on now.

My rx is a 2 wheel drive and I plan on pulling a small 2 seater jetski.

Should I be worried about ruining the transmission?

any thoughts?
thanks

Hatchman

You should be fine with one jet ski and trailer.

Make sure you have a tranny cooler, or even better install a second one.

TriniLex

I will check today for tranny cooler