Despite turning off safety features, the Rx 450h still stops repeatedly when backing my boat trailer. What am I missing?

 

How heavy is the tow?

 

 

If your boat trailer has surge brakes like my boat trailer did, it needs to be wired to release the trailer brakes when reversing, maybe that system has failed, or maybe there is a manual override. Here's a forum discussion that might be useful: https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating...k-reverse.html

 

In reverse the 450h is powered only by the electric motor(s). It's just a limitation of how the hybrid drive is setup. If you are going up any kind of grade chances are it doesn't have enough power, especially if you don't have the second motor for AWD.

 

What year is your RX450h? I suspect you have a 2017+ with ICS/IPA/RCTA that is applying the brakes. Turn it off using your instrument panel screen and it should all get better. If my assumptions are wrong, the limited power in reverse sounds like a good explanation too.

 

If you own this generation of RX, there is no rear cross traffic prevention (braking). If you own the 4th generation, the system would be doing that. You would need to specify what Model Year you have.

 

This sounds very plausible. Electric only not having enough power. Though folks tow much heavier loads with identical Highlander Hybrid. And they surely go eventually in reverse.

 

 

Highlander Hybrids have the same problem. Saw a Highlander Hybrid pushing a ~3200# SeaRay having problems at the marina getting it backed up an incline to the spot they wanted him to drop it off. He eventually gave up and they used one of the tractors to get the thing where they needed it.

I suppose Toyota/Lexus could figure out a way to put an idler gear on the final drive to have full power available some time in the future, but, since the original design for the drive train was for a light fuel efficient vehicle, that would not be used for towing and having to go backwards with a load, they probably believed electric only was good enough and took the simple solution.

 

 

I own a 2020 RX 450h F Sport, which I custom-ordered and received delivery in November, 2019. The SUV is awesome! I installed (myself) the appropriate two hitch, and then had a professional tow/trailer business install the 7-pin tow wiring harness.

My question is regarding backing-up [in reverse] with my small camper attached (being towed behind) by RX. When I towed behind my Prius and needed to backup/in reverse, and the camper attached, the rear sensors kept braking unnecessarily, thinking the Prius was about to hit or strike an object. No matter how slow I backed-up in reverse, the Prius' rear sensors kept activating, causing the vehicle to brake (and display the STOP warning screen).

Can anyone who owns an RX (any year model) who tows, describe how to keep the sensors from braking, when in "reverse" at a slow speed and towing something behind it?

 

No issues with mine, it does beep, but does not impede backing up. have about 25k miles towing the last couple years with the RX pictured.
i am sure there is some way to disable it, if needed.

 

If you have an issue also check "ICS Intelligent Clearance Sonar" in addition to the Park Assist feature. Both can be disabled.