Rx300 Towing capacity?
10-26-05, 03:56 PM
#1
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Rx300 Towing capacity?
I'm sorry if it's arepost, but does any one know this?
and Is it safe to tow for long time?
Basically I'm trying to tow another car on an open trailer.
Thanks in advance.
and Is it safe to tow for long time?
Basically I'm trying to tow another car on an open trailer.
Thanks in advance.
10-26-05, 04:45 PM
#2
Moderator
Check owners manual.
Things to keep in mind:
1. Tongue weight [Down ward force on the hitch.. can be controlled by type of trailer and how you position the balance of the trailer].
2. Dead weight (max towing capacity)
3. Is your RX FWD or AWD
4. Class of hitch installed. [Factors 1 & 2 still can not exceed the class capacity]
5. Electrical harness installed or not.
6. Active braking in the trailer.
7. Transmission cooler.
8. Windy coditions.
9. Flat or hilly terrain.
Salim
Things to keep in mind:
1. Tongue weight [Down ward force on the hitch.. can be controlled by type of trailer and how you position the balance of the trailer].
2. Dead weight (max towing capacity)
3. Is your RX FWD or AWD
4. Class of hitch installed. [Factors 1 & 2 still can not exceed the class capacity]
5. Electrical harness installed or not.
6. Active braking in the trailer.
7. Transmission cooler.
8. Windy coditions.
9. Flat or hilly terrain.
Salim
10-26-05, 05:02 PM
#3
Super Moderator
3500 pounds. I saw no difference between FWD and AWD.
I think the max payload capacity inside the RX300 is 880 pounds.
I don't know about how long it would be safe, but I would hope you have the towing package that came with the oversized radiator and tranny cooler. I think this package cost like $400 USD or something extra, but I am probably wrong on the exact cost.
On my 99 AWD, I have the tranny cooler and oversized radiator.
I think the max payload capacity inside the RX300 is 880 pounds.
I don't know about how long it would be safe, but I would hope you have the towing package that came with the oversized radiator and tranny cooler. I think this package cost like $400 USD or something extra, but I am probably wrong on the exact cost.
On my 99 AWD, I have the tranny cooler and oversized radiator.
10-26-05, 06:42 PM
#4
If you have the factory-installed trailer hitch, you almost certainly have the heavy-duty radiator and oil cooler. If not, if FWD, you probably don't and the rated towing capacity is comething puny like 1500 pounds. I don't know about AWD models. I have a 2002 RX300 and ordered the towing prep package when I special-ordered it. The cost was very reasonable, maybe $100-$200 as I recall.
10-26-05, 07:17 PM
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I don't have towing PKG from dealer, but I do have class2 hitch installed.
and I have AWD. There will be no active braking since it's on ly one car open trailer, and also no electrical harness installed.
I'm planning on towing my other car which is about 3500~800.
So I guess I need another car.
Any inputs? Should I go with another car? Thanks in advance.
and I have AWD. There will be no active braking since it's on ly one car open trailer, and also no electrical harness installed.
I'm planning on towing my other car which is about 3500~800.
So I guess I need another car.
Any inputs? Should I go with another car? Thanks in advance.
10-27-05, 04:12 AM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
You may still have the towing prep package even though your RX did not come from the dealer with a hitch. It was standard equipment on my 01. Here is a link to a window sticker scan for a 01 showing the towing prep package as standard equipment.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...g+prep+package
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...g+prep+package
10-27-05, 04:13 AM
#7
Out of Warranty
Depending on a number of variables, distance, frequency, terrain, speed, etc., you may want to look into towing with another vehicle. At 3500# you are right at the edge of the envelope. I seem to recall a 1500# towing limit on my RX 300, but I’ll defer to those with more immediate knowledge.
Add a few tools, gas cans, spare wheels/tires, and / or the other junk that we all accumulate for a road trip – both on the trailer and in the cabin, and you might exceed not just the capacity of the RX as a tow vehicle, but several important safety concerns as well. At 3500#, you are not only near or beyond the RX’s capacity, but you are well into the Class II range for your hitch. Without electric – or at least surge brakes on the trailer, you may find the trailer driving you rather than the other way ‘round. Not a comfortable feeling – as I have found.
While the RX may look like a truck-based SUV, it is based on the Camry – hardly a heavy-duty tow vehicle. Considering the cost of an RX transmission, a few grand spent on a half-ton (or better, a 3/4-ton) beater pickup for regular towing duties would seem prudent.
Good Luck!
Add a few tools, gas cans, spare wheels/tires, and / or the other junk that we all accumulate for a road trip – both on the trailer and in the cabin, and you might exceed not just the capacity of the RX as a tow vehicle, but several important safety concerns as well. At 3500#, you are not only near or beyond the RX’s capacity, but you are well into the Class II range for your hitch. Without electric – or at least surge brakes on the trailer, you may find the trailer driving you rather than the other way ‘round. Not a comfortable feeling – as I have found.
While the RX may look like a truck-based SUV, it is based on the Camry – hardly a heavy-duty tow vehicle. Considering the cost of an RX transmission, a few grand spent on a half-ton (or better, a 3/4-ton) beater pickup for regular towing duties would seem prudent.
Good Luck!
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10-27-05, 07:23 AM
#8
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Originally Posted by Lil4X
Depending on a number of variables, distance, frequency, terrain, speed, etc., you may want to look into towing with another vehicle. At 3500# you are right at the edge of the envelope. I seem to recall a 1500# towing limit on my RX 300, but I’ll defer to those with more immediate knowledge.
Add a few tools, gas cans, spare wheels/tires, and / or the other junk that we all accumulate for a road trip – both on the trailer and in the cabin, and you might exceed not just the capacity of the RX as a tow vehicle, but several important safety concerns as well. At 3500#, you are not only near or beyond the RX’s capacity, but you are well into the Class II range for your hitch. Without electric – or at least surge brakes on the trailer, you may find the trailer driving you rather than the other way ‘round. Not a comfortable feeling – as I have found.
While the RX may look like a truck-based SUV, it is based on the Camry – hardly a heavy-duty tow vehicle. Considering the cost of an RX transmission, a few grand spent on a half-ton (or better, a 3/4-ton) beater pickup for regular towing duties would seem prudent.
Good Luck!
Add a few tools, gas cans, spare wheels/tires, and / or the other junk that we all accumulate for a road trip – both on the trailer and in the cabin, and you might exceed not just the capacity of the RX as a tow vehicle, but several important safety concerns as well. At 3500#, you are not only near or beyond the RX’s capacity, but you are well into the Class II range for your hitch. Without electric – or at least surge brakes on the trailer, you may find the trailer driving you rather than the other way ‘round. Not a comfortable feeling – as I have found.
While the RX may look like a truck-based SUV, it is based on the Camry – hardly a heavy-duty tow vehicle. Considering the cost of an RX transmission, a few grand spent on a half-ton (or better, a 3/4-ton) beater pickup for regular towing duties would seem prudent.
Good Luck!
I guess buying another truck is better option for me.
Thanks for all your replies.
03-13-13, 12:15 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Adding that kind of mass makes all parts of the tow vehicle work harder.
03-13-13, 05:27 PM
#13
It's about the weight. The manual doesn't say anything about the length of a trailer, just that you can tow 3500 pounds if your car has the trailer package. Basically add the dry weight of the trailer plus what you are towing in the trailer and you have your number.
Now, the first gen RX's seem to be prone to trans failures (Mine still runs like a top but does not have that many miles). You might want to consider that.
I towed a total of 2,000 pounds across the country in my RX330 and it did just fine. Gas mileage is basically cut in half but we all expect that.
Now, the first gen RX's seem to be prone to trans failures (Mine still runs like a top but does not have that many miles). You might want to consider that.
I towed a total of 2,000 pounds across the country in my RX330 and it did just fine. Gas mileage is basically cut in half but we all expect that.
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