warminwisc

Is the RX with extra tow setup and hitch rated at 3500 lbs a capable vehicle for towing. It is built on the Camry platform and has soft suspension for a comfortable ride. What have been the experiences of CL members towing right up to 3500 lbs. Thanks.

lexus114

Personally, I don't think I want to tow with mine. that's why I took the hitch off.

warminwisc

Thanks, is the consensus it is not a real 3500 tow capable vehicle? I have a touareg which is a beast, but need to tow 3500 lbs at least adequately?

RX330inFL

The general consensus over the years here at CL is that for use to tow small loads like a pair of jet skis, a small U-Haul for a vacation or to take a child to college the 2nd Generation RX would be fine. Anything more than that, like regularly towing a large boat, is normally frowned upon here. Not that the RX does not have enough power for the job. The main concern is whether the transmission is up to the task.

If I was leasing a new RX I would not be concerned with such. Should there be a problem it would be under warranty. However, for those who like to hold on to their vehicles once we get outside the main warranty and responsible for such repairs the potential dollar outlay is more than most are comfortable with. The Towing Package with transmission cooler does help alleviate some concerns and is actually something I would look for in any SUV purchase if it were available as it can help even in normal day-to-day driving.

warminwisc

Thanks, sure don't want to end up with a Lexus tranny rebuild. Maybe a Highlander (5K towing cap) is a better choice, sure is a different SUV though.

Adamjeeps

Would be interested to see why the Highlander is rated for 1,500 more pounds considering the mechanicals are identical.

lexus114

Doesn't even make any sense??

RXPhil

I understood it perfectly fine. I'll help, the highlander and the 2nd Gen RX350 share the same engine and transmission, YET the Higlander is able to tow an additional 1,500 lbs "Safely." This leads me to think that the engine and trans can handle it, but the frame cannot. I would think maybe the Highlander has more of a truck style frame?

Adamjeeps

No sir, the RX, Highlander, and Camry all share a common platform unibody, not a truck body on frame.

RXPhil

Interesting. Still very odd that the Lexus would pull less then the highlander. It's like sayin a bodybuilder can lift 500lbs with his t-shirt and shorts, but in his dress shirt and khakis he can only lift 350lbs. Doesn't make sense.

RX330inFL

Are you sure the Highlander is rated at 5000 lbs for towing? I can find no such rating and from what I see the current Highlander is rated only at 1500 lbs for towing and past data I could find showed a best of 2000 lbs. I used the 2009 model year for comparisons.

As for why there are differences between the Highlander and the RX350 with supposedly the same engine and transmission, please keep in mind that these are not exactly the same vehicles underneath. Each have much different Gross Vehicle Weight and Maximum Payload ratings. The Highlander also is designed to seat 7 while the RX350 is only designed to seat 5. In short, the Highlander is designed to contain more stuff inside while towing less outside.

RX330inFL

I just checked, the current Toyota 4Runner does not even tow 5000 lbs (only 4700 lbs) and would think that a more capable vehicle for towing than a Highlander or RX350 when each is equipped with a V6.

warminwisc

Yup the 012 doesn't even need the tow pkg like the others do to boost her from 3500 to 5k. Most midsized suv's tow 3500, the highlander is pretty unique. I guess I need to rephrase the question, will the RX, with tow pkg, tow a 3500 lb boat well? So far sounds like this would be alot to ask? The hybrid will only tow 3500, it has a separate electric motor to work the 4wd couple when wheels slip.Thanks

hypervish

Both the RX350 and Highlander are rated for 3,500 lbs. towing capacity. Not sure where you read 5k.

The Highlander can only tow 2,000 without the towing package.

RX330inFL

The information for this is all over the place, even on the Toyota web site. However, I just pulled up the PDF of the 2013 Highlander brochure and it does state there that the V6, which comes standard with the tow kit, is rated at 5000 lbs.

http://www.toyota.com/content/ebroch..._ebrochure.pdf

The 4-cylinder Highlander is only rated at 1500 lbs and you cannot get the tow package with it.

So, my next question is where did you come up with the 2000 lbs towing number? As all the V6 now seem to come with the towing package for 2013 there is no low end and they are all rated at 5000 lbs.

In order that we can all be on the same page, and in keeping with a discussion for just the 2nd Generation RX, let us use the last model year for comparison which would be 2009. Off I went to search Toyota's site.

http://www.toyotacertified.com/ebroc...highlander.pdf

As you can see here, a 2009 Highlander is rated at 2000 lbs for towing without the tow package and 5000 lbs with the tow package. Seems that the 2009 Highlander can indeed out tow a 2009 RX350 when comparing V6 models though the 3500 lbs tow rating for the RX can be had even without the tow package installed while you only get above 2000 lbs in the Highlander with the tow package.

My previous comments still stands. These are two different vehicles and cannot really be compared to each other as they are not just rebadged twins like GM does with their vehicles. Each have much different Gross Vehicle Weight and Maximum Payload ratings. The Highlander also is designed to seat 7 while the RX350 is only designed to seat 5.