Eclipsed

Does anyone have a hitch on their ES300, and if so, how does it do towing? I am hoping to be able to tow a stand up jetski this coming set up with my 2000 ES300...

Yaj95ES300

The ES is supposed to be okay towing a small uhaul trailer. So your jet ski should be okay.. Its just the look of the tow package though.. not too appealing for a Lexus.. Also, it might take a toll on your rear suspension.. Saw a 2005 Camry with a tow package not too long ago, its rear is way lower than the front.. Suspect its the struts going out...

Not too sure on this one but my moms 99 Sienna has a motor similar to the ES.. My dad was towing our 17' boat for a while.. Not so much of a problem except when pulling the boat out of the water...

Eclipsed

Really? Does the hitch hang way out the back? And as far as powered, I'm not worried... its a late 80's stand up jetski. It weighs 200lbs MAX.

Yaj95ES300

Not really.. Depending on where you get it done.. It is rather noticeable though.. I was about to put one on mine to pull a 12' Jon boat, but my dad advised it wouldn't look too good on the Lexus.. So i'm waiting to get a beater this summer..

esucaris1

You could raise it about 4 feet off the ground and add a monster truck suspension with that hitch... hahahahaha

Eclipsed

bump, anyone have pics?

mcelligott

Just remember, it's not how much you can tow, it's how much you can tow while braking. Get some ebc pads before you tow anything.

Eclipsed

Not that worried, I have all new pads/rotors, and the ski is very light. I can pull the trailer and ski over bumpy grass with one hand.

Rollin'ES3

I found this for you, hope it helps. Only part that scared me was this "Installation: Drilling Required" - Might have to drill into the frame I guess.

Heres the link:
http://www.trailerhitches.com/search...00&style=Sedan

llcoolpass

My car was used by previous owner for towing around a small boat. I will take a look at where the parts were [he pulled before selling].
My rear suspension is ok and very stock. There appears, I should tell you, to be a device on the car that detects the load on the rear wheels and adjusts brake pressure accordingly. Very cool. Ill update with what holes I find for the hitch.

Spimley

waking up an old thread...in case others are interested, i took a pic
I've towed my jet ski (a big couch) at least 40 times this past year, but I agree that its quite noticeable, especially with the receiver and ball "in" vs removed. I used mine so much this past summer that I didn't even bother removing the receiver after use because I was going out twice or more a week.. now the dam receiver rusted itself on, and I haven't had luck getting it off, but now that summer's here again so oh well.

llcoolpass

which hitch did you buy, spimley?

Spimley

sorry, missed the response, but i needed to wake up the thread anyway.

The hitch I bought was a "hidden hitch" but its not really hidden, but again, if you pull the receiver, its MUCH less noticeable.

I think they retail for under $200 + shipping and install, I was lucky and found one on CL for $50 and it was 3 miles from my office, + 150 for install & wiring.

I've pulled my Waverunner trailer a good 80 times total at this point, I boat almost every weekend.

but NOW... i purchased a 15' Seadoo Challenger, I towed it home no problem, but i'm worried about the first time I take it down the ramp to go boating, will I make it up ??? i dunno

EclipseAWD

I remember this thread from when I was researching my potential ES330 tow setup. Did a write-up on my experience. Figured I'd post link here for reference. My tow bar + hitch + ball cost was ~$190 (add ~$30 more for tail light harness). Install was 20mins and DIY and 100% bolt on.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...tructions.html


@OP: I smirked when I saw your ID, my track/project car is a 1995 Mits GSX. Love/hate that child of mine.

Scuba420

Pulled my sisters grand am for like 45 min ... i added after market over sized tranny cooler also now will be pulling single axle pressure cleaning trailer