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Lexus RX Towing
For information. I just purchased a 2010 RX 350 AWD Lexus. The sticker on the door, the manual, and as validated by Lexus,say that the payload is 825 lbs. Four guys slightly over 200lbs without luggage would break the weight budget. More applicable, me, my wife, daughter and son-in-law (both thin), 5 year old grandson as well as the dog also blow the weight budget. Can't even think about luggage when transporting the family. I checked the Lexus web site as well as the vehicle brochure and nowhere could I find a payload figure. Also, It seems that most other web sites have a much higher number for the payload. This is somewhat disappointing and may be a factor in considering the purchase of this vehicle.
I am reposting this message under its own discussion title. Orginally I had inadvertently posted it under another discussion. My apologies.
I am reposting this message under its own discussion title. Orginally I had inadvertently posted it under another discussion. My apologies.
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Also, is the towing hitch that Lexus installs sufficient for the job or are there better alternatives.
Thanks,
JBL
tidester, host
tidester, host
The factory trans cooler is not fan-forced; it is in the fender well so the heat does not flow back to the radiator and engine (cooled only by the airflow from the brake cooling duct-fine when the airflow is moving).
I have one of the first RX's out. Although I originally did not tow anything with it, it developed well-known valve body issues that were resolved by Lexus by replacing the whole transmission under warrantee with a brand-new upgraded unit. Now it works as it should, but I also take extra care since I want to keep this car in good shape for a long time. Even though I have another vehicle for heavy towing, I also want to be able to tow with the RX, on occasion.
I service it very often. New fluid at 6 months, full service with filter at 18 months, just to be safe. You might not go so often, but I would service it before towing.
I asked the Lexus dealer's Service Manager who was in charge of the transmission replacement if it would void the warrantee if I added an additional transmission cooler, or it would hurt anything. He said no, it would be a good idea, but not in front of the radiator. I didn't say it was specifically for towing, but I said someday I would like to... So I added an additional redundant trans cooler in back of the factory cooler in the fender, and cut the vent holes larger in the black plastic inside fender skirt (you can't see it from outside the car) to let the heat vent out easier. It wasn't really hard to install if you are a do-it-yourselfer, but if not, a transmission shop could do it, too. Just be sure to specify you want them to use only Toyota fluid!
Since then, I've seen coolers that are thermostatically fan-forced (I don't recall where, you would need to search for them) but finding one that would fit between your windshield washer bottle and the stock trans cooler in the fender well might prove to be a trick, unless there is room in the driver's side fender brake cooling duct on the 330! That may be overly complicated.
Tips... Make sure when you are towing you take the transmission out of overdrive, so the transmission does not have to make that shift automatically. It will also be easier on your brakes, too.
Does your 3400 lb trailer have brakes? Usually they do.
I think it will be fine. Don't overload the car or trailer with weight. Distribute the weight evenly, and not too much near the tounge or back of the car, and certainly not on the roof.
The factory hitch is rated at 3500, I believe. If you don't have the factory hitch already, you can find heavier-duty hitches which will be stronger, rated for more weight even though you won't tow with more, and distribute the weight to the frame better (try the internet, like hitchweb.com or others), but don't go over the weight rating for the car anyway, but they are stronger. Uhaul's are barely adequate, only very light duty, but usually in stock.
Let me know what you find out, and keep it cool! :shades:
I have the towing package installed from the factory and I hate the fact that I may have to second guess that system and have to install an additional cooler for the tranny?? I will talk to the service manager as you did to get the skinny on that. I guess what bothers me is the fact that these cars' transmissions are not meant for heavy duty applications and even though they are rated at a certain load (3500 w/the TP) I am just a little paranoid as you might imagine.
Thanks again for your input and I will be inquiring with the Lexus dealership with an authority on the subject not the sales guy I spoke to before.
JBL
However, I'd still keep in mind to be aware of extended low-speed maneuvers and idling (towing or not), that's where the trans picks up extra heat from the engine exhaust that doesn't necessarily show up on the engine's "temp" gauge.
My gauge never moves from it's normal spot, even before the cooler, but I can put my finger on the trans cooler, and it's damn hot, much hotter than the metal part of the radiator, so I know that trans fluid is hot (hotter than my motorhome runs at) and having the cooler is better than not having one (normal driving, no trailer)!
I think most trans shops and some other folks who tow a lot will always err on the side of adding an additional cooler and frequent fluid changes, since it doesn't hurt anything and could only help the trans last longer. Lexus always says they don't recommend any modifications, but when pressed, they just won't warrantee the cooler mods... See what the Service Mgr. says. They probably will tell you just to change the fluid, but wouldn't hurt to have a cooler, even if you never, ever tow.
Is there a way I can tell...e.g. can I spot the tranny cooler somewhere or some wire harness mod in the back? Or is there someway to decode the VIN to tell me?
The transmission fluid cooler will be in front and inside the front passenger-side fender well. You will look inside the front lower (brake) intake air duct (the one under the pass. side headlights) with a flashlight, I'm not positive on the '04 but on mine it's behind and under/behind the bottom of the windshield washer reservoir bottle, I think it will be the same description for the '04-07. It looks like a small "radiator" with hoses going back to the radiator.
I don't know how to tell you the difference between the heavy-duty alternator and radiators, unless two vehicles with different equipment were sitting side-by-side.
Many (but not all) of the vehicles off the line were equipped with the "towing prep package" (a low-cost option, they just came that way) except when they had the "performance package". PP equipped vehicles were not eligible for towing, for some reason Lexus decided not to make the air suspension heavy-duty in this model while their other models (LX, GX, etc.) it was. I think the tow prep package raised the tow rating from 1500 to 3500 lbs, but even if you never tow, I think it's worth every penny for the heavier-duty components, and you are wise to look for a used car that was so equipped, especially if it does not have a hitch and never towed a thing.
I don't know if any RX's without the tow package were equipped with factory tranny coolers or not, which may throw you off. It's possible some of the AWD models were, even if they didn't have tow package. It would be interesting to hear from other owners.
P.S. See more info on the RX330 Forum on this subject. They are really good cars and when well cared for give years of great service. From what I've read, 2005 seems to be an even better year than '04, if you come across one that fits your budget. I hope you are happy with what you find!
Just curious if you found what you were looking for.
Yes and No. I found and purchased a beautiful 2004 RX330...but it did not have the tow pkg. I figured this out by NOT finding a second tranny cooler anywhere (the dealer did not know and could not confirm or deny!).I do tow a 2000 lb. pop-up camper about 3 times per year, so not "heavy duty" use. I doubt I am even going to pay for an add-on cooler. In an ideal world, it would be nice to have add all that extra margin that the tow pkg provides, but the RX we do have is the car or our dreams and we're happy and no lookin' back. (Crystal white, Navigation, Mark Levinson, premium plus, 18" wheels, 30k miles, flawless)
This appears to be especially true for the RX330 series as the factory recommended maintenance schedule for ATF flush/refill has been revised downward, from infinity to every 15,000 miles.
At only 40,000 miles the ATF in my '01 RX300 was quite clearly BURNED, I assume due to being overheated. My '01 has the towing package but I removed the hitch the week I bought the RX and it has not endured any level of heavy or seevre duty, at least not by normal standards.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
With your RX330 you are likely to encounter 1-2 second re-acceleration engine torque delivery delays as a result of this drive train protection measure.