Hello All.

I need some Hitch info. I have a 2002 RX that came with the hitch from the factory. That much we know. But can't seem to find out what class the hitch is. I have gotten different answers from different people. One Lexus Parts person at one dealership says he "thinks" it is Class I, another says it is Class II and Lexus Corp says it is also Class I. Other research online and via Truck specialist found that one even says that it is heavy duty and Class III just by looking at it. Yet another measured the various parts (receiver opening, shape, etc.) and declared it was also Class III.

So, does anybody know where I can really get this information? We can't find any markings on the hitch or the door.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I also have a 2002 RX300 with factory hitch. I don't have my owner's manual with me right now, but I recall that you can haul 3,500 lbs. and there is a limit on the tongue weight of maybe 100 pounds or something.

Since you have the hitch, the class doesn't seem as important as the size of the receiver that fits to it. I seem to recall it's 2" square, but that's easy to measure. Then, you use whatever size ball fits your trailer.

I say don't worry about the class. Be concerned about max. towing weight (you might technically need to subtract internal passenger/luggage load) and tongue weight.

 

The hitch would haul more than the transmission and engine. It's considered a Class II. I would limit the RX to about 2000 Lbs. This is considering the brakes and suspensions.

 

Lexus owner manual says 3500 max for both trailer and contents. But if you dont feel comfortable with that tow something smaller and see how it handles it. Also do you have the tranny cooler.

 

If it has the factory hitch, it has to have the towing-prep package, which includes tranny cooler.

 

Thanks for the repones and information. It is appreciated.

But most of the help I received is information about the towing capcity and tongue capacity of the RX300. One must remember that is still dependent on the correct hitch to do that limit

Which makes the Class of Hitch important. You can damage both the hitch and the car if you pull the wrong weight with the wrong class of hitch. I know some that think just because you have a hitch you can pull the weight limit of the car per the owners manual. That it not the case as one could have a car with a weight limit of over 5000 but the hitch is only for 2000. Seems like common sense but like many things not all is made clear from the factory or the dealer when it comes to automobiles.

I know what the weight limits of the RX300 is for both total weight and tongue weight and that you have to have the proper hitch class to that.

Years ago, you could tell the class by the size of the receiver, bolt placement, and receiver pin hole. For example a Class III receiver years ago always had a 2x2 receiver and 5/8 receiver pin and could only be attached to the frame. A Class I receiver had a 1 and 1/4 receiver and 1/2 pin and could be attached to the bumber and not the frame. That changed with the creation of multiple types of hitches and attachments to accept all kinds of things.

Any way, thanks for the information. Take Care and enjoy your Lexus.