I know that this isn't the best car (RX350) to be using for towing, but would you trust occasionally towing a 17foot boat and VERY rarely the possible car and trailer a short distance?

 

Sure. Just don't exceed the limit which I believe is 3,500 pounds.

 

I would tow a free trailer of Gold, even if it was more than the 3500lbs as I could drive to dealer and get a new one or 20.

Seriously I tow a couple of quads, water craft or snowmobiles, firewood, furnature for friends, building materials or whatever. You will have no issues with any of these.

On a side note, I saw a new RX the other day with an aftermarket hitch on it and I wish I had taken a picture of how horrible it looked. A big round bar running under the bumper with a square box that surrounded the exhaust pipe. I was so glad i got the factory one as you cant see it at all except for the little nub that the receiver goes into.

 

This I seen so offend in the past years, a $45,000-$55,000+ SUV going down the road with a rusted ugly bar.
I did the same back in 2000 on my RX 300, but before I had the draw bar installed, I took it
home and sanded it off and sprayed on 7 coats of a good anti-rust enamel.

Here it is today after 11 years in Wisconsin's salty winters

 

I tow a 19 foot Crownline Boat. The RX does okay. The most annoying thing on the Lexus back up camera is you cannot see the tow ball when you are backing up to the trailer. When I had a Q7 I could use the camera and do all the hook up by myself.

 

That looks a lot like the Curt tow hitch. How much did it cost you from the factory?

 

I used to tow my Harley all the time with our 2008. Gonna do the same with the new one. No problem.

 

I have loaded INSIDE the car about 800 lbs of retaining wall block, sands, and rocks from Menards (many trips) when I did my backyard patio and the RX seemed to handle VERY well. I only live about 4 miles away from the store so that helps but I was surprised the RX can handle that much with no issues.

 

The dealer charges about $800 for it but I got them to throw it in with my purchase. It came with a super heavy duty 2" reciever and ball as well which I was not expecting. very clean installatation.

 

FYI. Take a look at the new Curt hitches for the 2010 & up RX. New design is different and better. Hides completely just like the OEM hitch. Just the receiver poking out. Buy a Lexus plug for ten bucks and nobody will ever know. Rated at 4000 pounds, 500 more than OEM. Put it on yourself in about an hour and for about $200 bucks & free shipping from a Curt listed dealer.

 

Here is a pic of a Curt hitch on my 2010 RX. I tow a trailer with a golf cart and it is fine. I love the hitch and the price.