Looking at a Lexus GX 470 to replace the cherorkee. If I needed to trailer my GT3, and getting a light trailer, am I going to be ok with 6500lbs as a max capacity? Not sure if I would go with enclosed or open?


Also, any comments on the GX are welcome.

Tim

 

If you buy the Lexus go with the open aluminum trailer. That is about all it can do. Don't plan on going over many mountains... You will also want to do a weight distribution set up. Hav eyou looked at the Infiniti QX56? or Escalade?

 

I have an LX 470 which is an extremely compromised tow vehicle. I prefer to use the Denali that we have for business purposes. Does the GX have air springs? If so, I'd avoid it entirely as a tow vehicle. The system on the GMC is far better. AS

 

FWIW I towed for years with a V6 Toyota 4-runner that was rated at 5000# capacity. A weight distributing hitch and good trailer brakes combined with an open aluminum trailer made it a breeze. I don't know the Lexus, but with a 6500# capacity I can't imagine it would be an issue unless it wasn't on a true truck frame...

 

My Tahoe has a 6500 capacity. I tow about 4500 (open trailex, tire rack, 944) and it does ok but I would not want to tow near capacity with it. I think you compromise your safety if you do.

 

I would say a open wheeled aluminum trailer for sure, with good brakes, proper balance/bias you should be fine. Not ideal, but do-able... It's not the pulling, it is the side to side wind and the braking.

 

i just realized I typed open wheeled, I meant ,open trailer. Sorry-racing on the brain...

 

Most manufacturers quote "Towing Capacity" with nothing else in the vehicle other than a 150lb driver! More important is the GVWR. Don't tow more than 80% of the quoted towing capacity, and you will have room for all the other "stuff" that also usually makes the trip, plus a small safety factor.

 

Wheel base is also very important in a tow vehicle. The longer the base the better. If you were ever to have an incident and be overweight I am told the DOT Boyz arent too friendly in that area. There is alot more at stake than one first may think when towing with a vehicle close or above that vehicles limits. Sure it can be done, but it only takes 1 mishap.

Another piece on info I have found (I am sure many guys dont know about is this). Say you have a 2500 p/u rated at 22k lbs GVCW. That combined weight of truck, cargo and trailer. The Truck MUST be registered for 22k lbs. I never told the DMV lady I towed when I bought the truck so they reg'd it at like 7500lbs. I hear the violations for towing over your Registered Weight are pretty steep. To reg in NJ for 22k lbs is around $250.
Sorry to hi jack, just an FWI for all.

 

Rather than the GX, I'd take a look at a V10 TDI Touareg or the V8 version (I have). They both have a 7,700 lb. towing capacity and are loaded with more features and engineering than the Lexus. It is an unbelievable towing vehicle and daily driver. The Touareg weighs 5,300 lbs., about the same as a 3/4 ton pick up truck and with a greater towing capacity than some.

I pull an enclosed Trailex that loaded weighs around 5,500 to 6,000 lbs. You literally do not know its behind the vehicle. Even at 80 mph, I've never experienced any sway, pull, jerk, etc. Its a great setup and highly recommended.

 

Same old same old...

All kinds of people can tow with all kinds of marginal setups, and never have a problem. Somewhere out there is a gust of wind, or a tractor trailer passing you, or a pothole or humpy bridge crossing, or someone cutting you off. A rig wreck is an UGLY thing. If it all goes South, the best you can hope for is that the hitch and safety chains break.

If you tow with less weight and wheelbase than a REAL 3/4 pickup (Ford/Chevy/Dodge), those towing hazzards are looking for YOU.

 

LOL Redline!!! You are right about that. You just Cant cut corners here, the outcome could be super costly.

 

I agree with John.One thing he forgot . Something as simple as a blown tire on your trailer will send you for a ride you will not forget .

 

I moved from a Range Rover w/a 6,500 towing capacity after I heard that if you had an incident/accident, your insurance company could void your claim. Considering the price of the truck, trailer, race car, what you hit and the people you will hurt it seemed to me to be a fast way to bankruptcy.

Stay well within the tow limits. That said, an open aluminum trailer should not be a problem staying within the 6,500 lb limit.

 

With an open trailer you should be fine. However leave plenty of room for slowing down and don't go too fast on the hwy. Not an ideal set-up, but if you take it easy it will work just fine. Towing with a 3/4 ton truck is much nicer, but then you are stuck with that all the time you are not towing. So you need to pick your poison really.

BTW... don't even THINK about an enclosed trailer...