Lexus GX 470 Towing a...

[AirSeattle]

Hello all,
I'm new here, first post and also new to trailering (sort of). My question is this;
I have a recently purchased 1994 21 sovereign and I have a 2003 Lexus GX 470 (small 4.7L V-8). I am asking you all to just do the same thing I just did in a few sort minutes and type both into the Google space bar and tell me if my car is capable of trailering the AS.
I've done it and checked the manual and what I need is people to check my work and give me honest feedback.
It seems it may be close, weight wise, but before I stick my wife and daughter into the car, I'd like someone who's not new, (like me), to check it out.
Without going overboard on food, belongings, and bringing little water (drinking, grey and black), what is the average ADD to my basic out the garage door weight excluding passengers? Meaning, should I add another 500 lbs.? 1000lbs.?
I do have sway bars, and trailer brakes on my car.

Thanks again for your help.

Frank.

[MrUKToad]

The stock reply is that you should seek some professional advice from someone like Andy Thompson at Can Am RV (Can-Am RV Centre | New and Used Travel Trailers, Motorhomes and Fifth Wheels | Towing & Hitch Specialists | Top Airstream Dealer).

At one of their open days, I drove a Lexus SUV, smaller than the 470 I think, towing a 2010 28' International (around 7,000lbs loaded). Can Am had done their usual hitch strengthening, added a transmission oil cooler and wired a brake controller. They'd also fitted a Hensley hitch. I suspect that Andy T will say yes you can do it and tell you how it can be done.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I would add at least 1000lbs to the dry weight, problem, you don't know what that weight is. The trailer needs to be weighed...not easy without a TV.
Is the Lexus set up to tow now? If not, are you willing to invest $$$ to make it so? Year, mileage, condition, brakes, tires, transmission, cooling system. More research needs to be done on the needed up-grades.

Quick check garnered this info, don't understand why the TC is "estimated" at 6500lbs. Sounds like the factory may not have invested much time in towing research.

GVWR, lb
6100

GCWR, lb
11,500

Towing capacity, lb
6500 (est)

"It seems it may be close, weight wise, but before I stick my wife and daughter into the car, I'd like someone who's not new, (like me), to check it out."

From that statement it sounds like you have your doubts.
There are folks here who tow with comparable rigs and can add much to the discussion.

IMHO...Save the GX for everyday and look for a dedicated TV already equipped for towing.

Bob

[AirSeattle]

Thanks for the data so far, I do appreciate it. The vehicle does have a factory tow hitch and a round, or 7 pin receptacle for towing. The guy who sold me the trailer said the trailer weighs 3,900#'s, but I have no data to back that up.

I do have a 98' Dodge 1500 pickup truck, I thought that it could be used as my TV, however it has 210k miles on it and it's fairly rough. It also has low compression in one of it's cylinders, but I don't know if that would affect it's performance?

I'd like to buy a dedicated TV, that would be a new Toyota Tundra (5.7L), but I don't think my wife is too keen on us spending that much money...we did just buy the trailer.

[idroba]

My freshly weighed 20' Argosy, loaded as for camping, full water tank etc, comes in at 4180# Your 21' AS will probably not be too far off that number, even though the newer AS are somewhat heavier than the old units like mine, and yours is 1' longer. Weighing it is best, but I bet you will be very close in that range.

[3Ms75Argosy]

You should be fine. You need a sway reduction device and a weight distribution hitch. I tow our 26ft Argosy with a 2001 Sequoia. Does great with my family of 4. Have traveled up/down the west coast over Shasta. Welcome from Seattle! Make sure you tow out of overdrive. I belive the Gx470 is full-time 4wd which is helpful with stability.

[3Ms75Argosy]

Remember that these v8's rev more than the traditional American v8. Nice combo. My Sequoia has the same 4.7.
Marc

[Road Ruler]

Hey there Frank..

The Lexus would be a nice comfy vehicle to travel in. This Airstream behind our car in the image was being towed with a Lexus 470. Being in Southern Ontario I suspect a Can AM set up. I believe it had a Hensley hitch system. Wish I had a chance to talk with the owner but the oppourtunity wasn't there.

When towing pro's are involved with the set up it really makes the process a lot easier.

[bganso]

According to the original specs by Airstream, for a 1994 21' Sovereign, the dry weight is 3,900# (w/o options), the hitch weight is 550 lbs, and additional allowable is 1,600 lbs. The towing capacity of the Lexus is 5,000 lbs. with a maximum trailer weight of 4,500 lbs. and a tongue weight of 500 lbs. IMHO, you're going to be at least 10% over weight (stuff adds up fast), but the only way to be sure is to visit the scales.

[triplenet]

Frank,
I tow our '07 25' FB with our 04 GX470.
I had a Hensly installed when I bought the AS. I do wish for more HP, but make do with what I have. The traction of the GX is like a mountain goat, only 1 time have I even used low. You can feel each corner grabbing traction.

I would guess your AS is lighter, so I'd say go for it, with WD hitch and good brake controller.

Overall, a very comfy TV.

[withidl]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

The stock reply is that you should seek some professional advice from someone like Andy Thompson at Can Am RV (Can-Am RV Centre | New and Used Travel Trailers, Motorhomes and Fifth Wheels | Towing & Hitch Specialists | Top Airstream Dealer).

At one of their open days, I drove a Lexus SUV, smaller than the 470 I think, towing a 2010 28' International (around 7,000lbs loaded). Can Am had done their usual hitch strengthening, added a transmission oil cooler and wired a brake controller. They'd also fitted a Hensley hitch. I suspect that Andy T will say yes you can do it and tell you how it can be done.

Agree totally! See my avatar and do a search on "withidl" for some entertaining reading.

[Aage]

Hi Frank,

You have a trailer that weighs (dry) 3,900 lbs, and has a GVWR of 5,500 lbs, and a mfgr that is telling you the towing capacity is 6,500 lbs. As well, you have other members here telling you they have put miles on the same rig with good success. So the numbers are all good.

If you want to be on the safe side, get a good local RV shop to look at your trailer's hitch and tell you if it is sufficient. If your Lexus doesn't already have one, you need to add a transmission cooler (that goes for any vehicle you use to tow).

Your hitch should be a "weight distributing" one, and it goes without saying that you need to have a brake controller to connect to the trailers' brakes.

Once you have that looked after, please tell us about all the wonderful trips you are going to take, and be sure to post photos for us!

ps: In your place, I would contact Andrew Thomson at Can-Am RV in London, ON just to get any comments he may have. There are few people with as much practical knowledge and experience as Andy has.