Dutch

its stripped down but i dont know about car+trailer =2500lbs. it does have a rotary 13b so it might weigh close to stock stripped down as it is now. hmmmm

vborder

If you put on the hitch, make sure you take it off when you don't use the cart too much, it might look silly riding with one all the time

Bill Dowd

If you want to tow with the lexus I would put on the transmission cooler at the other person recommened the real problem is the brakes on the first couple of years on the 1990 to 1992 lexus were slightly weak one of the things I did was to switch to ceramic pads cost more but seem to brake better. the cost wasn't that much more I have also found that the ceramic brakes leave little dust and don't seem to run as hot??? The first Lexus 1990 to 1994 were some of the best designed and built cars to date bar none. and I wouldn't tow a heavy trailer your will over heat the trans and rear end could possibly burn out the brakes.

LSTex

Hmm...There's some interesting info here. I'm planning on adding a class 2 hitch to my 96 LS400 and hoping to use it to tow a boat. It'll be fairly long distances (cross state, but Texas is a big state). I've found class 2 hitches for under $200.00 and installation is reportedly 30 minutes for a mechanic or 1 hour for a novice like me.

I'll probably be looking at towing a 17 footer, which should weigh in around 2500 lbs as long as I put the extras in the trunk instead of in the boat. I'm concerned that the wife might want to use the boat as an extra luggage compartment though.

Should I be looking at beefing up the rear struts? I did this once upon a time with a Lincoln by adding air bags to the rear struts. Good idea? Bad?

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

Actually, according to the owners manuals, the SC400 can pull a trailer, but the GS300 cannot....makes sense with the bigger motors in all I guess...

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Honestly, since the LS 400 is not designed to tow heavy loads I would not risk it. Especially, with that amount of weight. Why not just rent a truck or cargo van for when you want to tow that way you are not risking yourself / family or the car. Many people have passed away from not being able to stop in time.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

Look in your owners manual, pretty sure that boat will be too heavy, ESP with the trailer.

LSTex

Great idea, PureDrifter!

I checked the specs for the 95-97 LS400 and it can tow 1650 lbs without trailer brakes and 4400 lbs with them. So it looks like I'll be ok as long as I buy a trailer with brakes or add a brake kit.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.