|
06-13-2010, 03:00 PM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member
2007 19' Bambi
Antelope
, California
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 10
|
Towing with a Lexus GX470
We recently sold our 2008 Safari Sport 17 and replaced it with a 2007 Safari Bambi SE 19. We're going on our first weekend getaway with a 2007 Lexus GX470 & was wondering if there is anything I should know. Dry weight is around 3,700 lbs and the max tow on the Lexus is 6600.
|
|
|
06-13-2010, 03:53 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
|
There was a newish 25' Airstream that parked beside us a couple years ago. It was pulled with a Lexus SUV and they were using a Hensley.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
|
|
|
06-13-2010, 05:27 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,343
|
I think that's a great combination. Put on a Reese dual cam and it will tow like a dream.
|
|
|
06-13-2010, 06:22 PM
|
#4
|
3 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Eureka Springs
, Arkansas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 177
|
I towed our 25' with our GX470 1100 miles with no problems.
I had a Hensley installed and have since bought a better brake controller.
More hp would be nice, but I'm not ready to trade.
|
|
|
06-13-2010, 09:08 PM
|
#5
|
2 Rivet Member
2008 20' Safari SE
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2017 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 24
|
I have been towing a 20' Safari SE with a 2004 Lexus GX470 and never had a problem. I use a Reese Equalizer hitch and am very happy with the set up.
__________________
Red
My community is where, to quote Walt Whitman, I encounter"the beggar's tramp, the drunkard's stagger, the laughing party of mechanics, the escaped youth, the rich person's carriage, the fop, the eloping couple, the early market man, the hearse."
|
|
|
06-13-2010, 10:47 PM
|
#6
|
New Member
1975 25' Tradewind
Coquitlam
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
|
We towed a 75 25' Land Yacht 29,000 km in 3 1/2 months with a 2004 GX 470 and an equalizer hitch and a good brake controller without a single problem and only did two oil changes and one air filter change just to let it breath better. You should be fine, have fun!
|
|
|
06-19-2010, 10:02 AM
|
#7
|
2 Rivet Member
2008 20' Safari SE
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2017 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 24
|
I had the Reese hitch on my GX470 put on and adjusted by Toscanos in Los Banos, CA. Just FYI that they've got some experience with this setup. I've put probably 20,000 miles on my setup and continue to be happy with it.
Also, I hope you will consider joining the Northern California WBCCI unit. It is a very friendly and active group. I go on a lot of rallies with the Northern California group. A lot of the members are from the Sacramento area. Let me know if you are interested and I'll email you the phone contacts for the group.
__________________
Red
My community is where, to quote Walt Whitman, I encounter"the beggar's tramp, the drunkard's stagger, the laughing party of mechanics, the escaped youth, the rich person's carriage, the fop, the eloping couple, the early market man, the hearse."
|
|
|
04-22-2016, 09:23 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2015 23' Flying Cloud
2023 Interstate 19
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 570
|
We have a FC 23'. is the GX 470 rear door a problem (to open) when hitched up?
|
|
|
04-22-2016, 11:15 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cactusjk
We have a FC 23'. is the GX 470 rear door a problem (to open) when hitched up?
|
Cactujk - Do not know for sure, but I suspect it will. Hitching close to vehicle is best for stability and that adds to the problem. Suggest you take some measurements. with door half open from ground to bottom of door and bumper to edge of door. Should get you a good idea of where the conflict might be when you compare the measurement to the trailer position.
You might be able to jack-knife the rig o get clearance.
Travel safe. Pat
|
|
|
07-01-2016, 09:23 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2015 23' Flying Cloud
2023 Interstate 19
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 570
|
GX 470 Towing question: The manual mentions Transmission shift range position must be in "4". Does this mean I need to be in 4 vice drive?
|
|
|
07-01-2016, 11:14 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
|
If the transmission is a 5 speed with overdrive. I suspect the manual is recommending that you tow in the lower four gears and not tow in overdrive. I assume there is a "D" position that enables the transmission to shift into overdrive and a "4" position that locks out the overdrive and allows the transmission to shift through the lower four gears. Depending on the circumstances, it is likely that there will be times when you will want to shift manually to an even lower gear. On a dead level run or with a tail wind, you might be able to use your overdrive. If you have a good mechanic that is familiar with the transmission and has an understanding of the stresses of towing, this would be a great subject to discuss over coffee.
The weight of your trailer is reasonable, so this may be a minimal problem except in extreme conditions. Which is another way to say that your millage may vary. Pat
|
|
|
07-02-2016, 07:33 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2015 23' Flying Cloud
2023 Interstate 19
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 570
|
Thanks Pat. The Lexus forum also confirmed stay in 4 to keep it out of overdrive. Will confirm today on the ride home from Fairfield!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PKI
If the transmission is a 5 speed with overdrive. I suspect the manual is recommending that you tow in the lower four gears and not tow in overdrive. I assume there is a "D" position that enables the transmission to shift into overdrive and a "4" position that locks out the overdrive and allows the transmission to shift through the lower four gears. Depending on the circumstances, it is likely that there will be times when you will want to shift manually to an even lower gear. On a dead level run or with a tail wind, you might be able to use your overdrive. If you have a good mechanic that is familiar with the transmission and has an understanding of the stresses of towing, this would be a great subject to discuss over coffee.
The weight of your trailer is reasonable, so this may be a minimal problem except in extreme conditions. Which is another way to say that your millage may vary. Pat
|
|
|
|
07-02-2016, 08:55 AM
|
#13
|
2016 26U FC + 2011 LX570
2016 26' Flying Cloud
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 18
|
With a Hensley or Pro-Pride you will add about a foot of length from the TV that would seem to help the rear door clearance for the GX. We tow our 26U with a LX570 and use the DirecLink brake controller. With this and the Pro-Pride hitch, towing with the LX570 is a dream. But have not towed with an GX, although we own a 2014 GX too (wife's). We like the extra room, HP, 4WD and heft of the LX vs GX. Just our preference for the larger 26U. However, with a Pro-Pride (Hensley) and a DirecLink, I'd feel comfortable towing a 19' AS with our GX.
|
|
|
07-02-2016, 12:54 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cactusjk
Thanks Pat. The Lexus forum also confirmed stay in 4 to keep it out of overdrive. Will confirm today on the ride home from Fairfield!
|
I have the Toyota version, the 4Runner. I believe it's the same engine (4.7L V8) and transmission (FT 4WD). On flat ground I tow in overdrive but I shift down to 4 for any sized hill. The transmission doesn't seem to mind and the 'hot' indicator for the tranny has never come on. As soon as it starts to 'lug' I shift to 4.
Your rear door swings out, mine swings up. If I'm lined up I can open it but if there's any angle I can't. I have learned to use the power window to get to stuff in the back
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
|
|
|
07-02-2016, 02:15 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cactusjk
Thanks Pat. The Lexus forum also confirmed stay in 4 to keep it out of overdrive. Will confirm today on the ride home from Fairfield!
|
So it's you that has service so busy they can't talk to me about an appointment. Good luck with your new AS. Pat
|
|
|
07-02-2016, 08:37 PM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
2015 23' Flying Cloud
2023 Interstate 19
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 570
|
Drove great coming home! Used 4 unless it was flat where I used D. Impressed with how the GX470 handled with the Equal-i-zer hitch.
|
|
|
03-13-2017, 12:35 PM
|
#17
|
1 Rivet Member
2015 22' FB Sport
Boise
, Idaho
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 15
|
What do you do with the AHC when setting up your WD hitch? Truck on and N setting?
|
|
|
03-18-2017, 02:01 PM
|
#18
|
3 Rivet Member
2014 22' FB Sport
2017 28' Flying Cloud
Southwest Ranches
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 170
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sactown
We recently sold our 2008 Safari Sport 17 and replaced it with a 2007 Safari Bambi SE 19. We're going on our first weekend getaway with a 2007 Lexus GX470 & was wondering if there is anything I should know. Dry weight is around 3,700 lbs and the max tow on the Lexus is 6600.
|
The Bambi has a 350 lb dry hitch weight. You might consider a simple load leveling hitch, otherwise your headlights will be pointing to the sky.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|