Toasterdog

OK folks. I love my GS but I'm in a bind ATM. Called Lexus, Uhaul, Hitch King...nobody makes a trailer hitch for our car. I also took it to two different place that can fabricate hitches and said it couldn't be done. I want to tow my two kayaks with a small 4x8 trailer.

To make things worse, Thule and Yakima don't make roof racks for our cars either. This can't be true. Has anyone had a trailer hitch mounted on the 3rd gen GS. I have an 06 GS430 and don't want to throw my back out putting the yaks on the roof.....not to mention dripping salt water all over my baby. Thanks

Mesca

iTrader: (28)

In the manual it says you should NOT tow anything with the Lexus. I could have sworn I've seen a 3GS with a roof rack, but I could be mistaken

mysteryan

I think someone on CL had a hard time finding a roof rack, but they eventually found one though. Maybe international?

Highflier

Out of curiosity and a "maybe needed someday" on the hitch, I looked around and found the same as you. Nobody doin it. Even if someone will/does have one that could be fab'd on, they would have to really mod out the underside to get to the frame for mounting. The frame is not very accessible, ie: a lot of cutting, which is a deal killer for me.

Evil Twin

Curt Manufacturing makes a class 1 hitch for the GS300, 400, and 430. About $160 I think. JC Whitney carries them.

Anthony

stvincent

iTrader: (5)

i don't think the Curt Manufacturing has one for newer models. they even have one available for g35 coupe and 350z..

time for new SUV

perkedel

ToasterDog, any luck finding a hitch for your car? I'm looking for a similar solution for my 2006 GS300. Thanks!

ivanz

Yes, it's possible...but hard to find. In the UK, it is a standard available accesory. Maybe find the part number and get your dealer to order it?
http://www.lexus.co.uk/range/gs/acce.../exterior.aspx
PDF: http://www.lexus.eu/turnpages/gs/pdf/compleet.pdf
Up to 2000kg (4409 lb) towing capacity. However, it requires an "engine cooling kit"...whatever that is.

Kansas

The same Curt hitch that fits the ISx50 fits the gen 3 GS. Attached are the installation instructions.

I've found that etrailer, where I bought the hitch for my LS, often has the best prices: http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2006_Lexus_IS350.htm
etrailer needs to update their "hitch finder" to show that the Curt hitch also fits the GS.

Here is a recent thread about someone installing this Curt hitch on his 08 GS350: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ler-hitch.html

If you are still concerned about this hitch fitting your GS, you can verify its applicability on the Curt website: http://www.curtmfg.com

It's usually not recommended to power trailer lights directly from the tail lights. My mechanic ran the power wire for my Modulite brand trailer light harness from the trunk to the fuse box in the engine compartment by running the power wire out of the trunk through an existing hole for an ABS wire and then attaching the power wire underneath the car with plastic zip ties. (I wasn't in the mood to crawl under the car and I had the car in for service anyway.)

The Modulite's power wire and its in-line fuse is attached to a free terminal on the engine compartment fuse box of my LS. If your GS fuse box doesn't have this powered fuse box terminal, the power wire would be attached to the positive cable at the battery.

Also, here is an active thread, with photos, about the same Curt model Curt hitch installed on an IS350: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-on-is350.html

BTW, etrailer also sells the Modulite harness you will need. I found that they were very responsive when I had a question about installing the Draw-Tite hitch I bought from them for my LS.

slk_dds

Just found it on eBay, hope this helps!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/06-07...Q5fAccessories

perkedel

Or you can buy it from AutoAnything.com for 133 bucks, free shipping. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive today. User coupon code CABIN for another 10 bucks off.

http://www.autoanything.com/towing/73A3874A0A0A2623863.aspx

stvincent

iTrader: (5)

that's great! they have one available now.

kyang91

iTrader: (5)

I am not sure if I would want to do it........

perkedel

I'm not towing anything, I'll use it for a bike rack. After research, no way in hell I'm doing the strap style bike rack. Too risky.

stvincent

iTrader: (5)

manual did mention that it's not recommended.. not too sure about the safety issues. i'm just hoping if i can hook up a motorcycle trailer next year or two..