I have a FWD 2012 that I bought used to tow my 2500 lbs. camper. I thought it was rated for 3500 lbs but I was wrong! I had a hitch installed with electric brake. Should I sell this and buy another vehicle or can I beef up the transmission and other engine parts so that I can tow my camper?

 

Get a truck. They are designed to tow. These car-based SUVs are NOT tow rigs and you risk your transmission if you opt to use them as such.

 

It’s rated for 2000, isn’t it? Not sure about the FWDs. And that would be for up to the harshest conditions like Death Valley temps or Rocky Mountain inclines. Unless you’re in one of those situations go ahead and tow 2500 lbs. The notion that cars or SUVs can’t tow is nonsense.
An added transmission cooler might be good insurance but not absolutely necessary.
And please do a search for this topic to find everyone’s opinions already stated.

Jonas

 

Yes, it's 2,000 lbs. for both FWD and AWD as stated on page 277 of the 2012 RX350 owners manual which can be viewed at https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...f/OM48845U.pdf

Per the 2012 RX350 brochure, the Towing Prep Package included Transmission cooler, Heavy-duty alternator, and Heavy-duty radiator. The brochure can be viewed at http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/...%20RX_2012.pdf

Adding a transmission cooler like Jonas suggested couldn't hurt and can be done inexpensively. The need for the higher output alternator might come into play if charging a battery in the camper or powering a refrigerator while towing. Watch the coolant temperature and you'll probably be fine.

It's funny how the RX with the tow prep package sold in the U.S. and Canada is rated to tow only 3,500 pounds when its rated to tow 4,409 pounds (2000 kg.) in Europe. Maybe the air is thinner over there.

 

The answer is not easy/simple.

Can it pull, should it pull, will it pull, once in a while, on regular basis and what are the long term effects? We consumers have to rely on what ever the manufacturer says. We can take chances exceeding those limits and count on engineering margins and make things slightly better (like electronic braking).

Also keep in mind the payload weight, which includes the weight being pulled and weight of objects inside the cabin. People who pull also have to consider the tongue weight.

The basic reason for sedan/crossover not suited for pulling is they are unibody and do not have a frame on which the toe-hitch can be installed. The unibody, gives the shell the strength to be built on and crumbles in case of a crash. Then the added electronics which take over the driver (dynamic stability etc) are not tweaked for the trailer use. As an example 2nd Gen GS400 have 300+hp. It can pull weight, but Lexus does not recommend pulling a trailer.

When you slowly pull straight and coast, I agree that the engine through wheels can pull 3500 lbs, but the dynamic forces during turning, slowing down get transferred through the unibody.

With my first Gen RX FWD I have successfully pulled more than 3500lbs up and incline 7% grade but it was only in a pinch. I knew I was taking the risk as I was using it beyond the specs.

At the end, it is unto the owner to stay within limits or take the risk.

Salim

 

Can it tow? Sure it can even a VW beetle can tow. If its a 1 time tow from point A to B then you would be alright. But I would NOT tow with this suv. Its far from designed to tow anything more than a tiny utility trailer. Without a trans cooler you will heat up the trans hotter than its meant if you plant to tow anything for more than a few local miles. Ive owned many full size SUV's/ trucks with full frames that can tow with ease and not worry. I still have a 1999 Yukon in my garage that I bought in 2006...

Point being my 15 F sport is just a comfortable car to drive around. When its time to do any type of utility work its the last thing I look for. Im pretty sure when Lexus was designing the RX, its towing capabilities were far on the bottom.