Towing a travel trailer with an LX470?

[CSG]

I was thinking of doing exactly that. Not only with the LX but with my Traverse which will likely be the main tow vehicle anyway. I want to get out on the freeway and see how it feels at speed. The only hitch I see (no pun intended) is that I don't have a brake controller in either vehicle.

 

[kjp1969]

I'd say that it is very relevant. If I pull a trailer twice a year, why would I drop 3k on an expensive hitch when slowing down 5 mph will net the same result? If you are towing a lot, then it makes sense to spend the money on expensive widgets that will make life easier. Furthermore, there are several other options that will work just fine in his situation without the wallet shock.

We could argue the point, but would probably agree that towing a 6000lb trailer with a landcruiser demands greater attention to setup than towing with a 3/4 ton truck.

By the way, Hensley makes a smaller model that is only about $1600. Still expensive, but less pain than the $3k Arrow.

 

[Klierslc]

We could argue the point, but would probably agree that towing a 6000lb trailer with a landcruiser demands greater attention to setup than towing with a 3/4 ton truck.

By the way, Hensley makes a smaller model that is only about $1600. Still expensive, but less pain than the $3k Arrow.

I agree.

I didn't know about the smaller hensley either. Good info.

FWIW, Toyota gave the 80 series a 7500 lb tow rating in Australia, and they recommend against the WD hitches. Having towed a good bit with an 80, I would hesitate to tow that much unless it was all flat ground or very seldom.

That being said, (and after towing with my sequoia a good bit) I think that 6k is a very reasonable load for a 100 series. I would still put on the air bags due to how inexspensive they are, and also the brake controller. But even without those things, it should be a pretty comfortable tow.

 

[kjp1969]

That being said, (and after towing with my sequoia a good bit) I think that 6k is a very reasonable load for a 100 series. I would still put on the air bags due to how inexspensive they are, and also the brake controller. But even without those things, it should be a pretty comfortable tow.

I routinely tow our 23', 6000lb travel trailer with our Sequoia, and with the Hensley, it's smooth like buttah. Good power from the 4.7, too.

 

[CSG]

Boy, I've talked to two Lexus dealers' service managers and our local Toyota dealer's service manager and they all seem to think I should be OK and all suggested using a WD hitch of some sort.

 

[alexrex20]

your money is better spent on:

1) brake controller
2) helper air bags
3) WD hitch + sway brake

^^^ in that order. and of course, in my opinion.

 

[ThomD]

your money is better spent on:

1) brake controller
2) helper air bags
3) WD hitch + sway brake

^^^ in that order. and of course, in my opinion.

Maybe I'm missing something (not the first time), but I would not expect that AHC and air bags would be compatible.

 

[Redline]

Depending on the actual tongue/hitch weight, I too would recommend a weight-distribution hitch.

Having towed my 30-ft travel trailer with three very stout tow vehicles (one-ton pickups, 2 reg. cab, 1 crew-cab), both with and without a WD hitch, I prefer the balance provided with a WD hitch for on-road towing. I have also towed both with and without a 'sway control' or brake, I prefer to use one on these as well. But it really depends on the setup.

It does seem that you are talking about a moderate load for your Land Cruiser, however I often tow a trailer with a 400-lb. hitch weight and NO WD hitch using my ‘06 4Runner. Even with aux. air springs in the rear, 400-lb of hitch weight is a noticeable load when not using a WD hitch (which I do not for off-highway trailers).

Boy, I've talked to two Lexus dealers' service managers and our local Toyota dealer's service manager and they all seem to think I should be OK and all suggested using a WD hitch of some sort.

 

[CSG]

Brake controller and WD hitch are a given to me. Air bags not so much. No one at Lexus, Toyo, or the suspension shop seemed to think they were necessary if my assumptions on weight are correct and I was using a WD hitch.

 

[Klierslc]

I routinely tow our 23', 6000lb travel trailer with our Sequoia, and with the Hensley, it's smooth like buttah. Good power from the 4.7, too.

I also like the 4.7. It gets a bad rap for being so small, but I have never run into issues with the lack of power. It does like to rev, but that isn't a bad thing IMO....

 

[Klierslc]

Maybe I'm missing something (not the first time), but I would not expect that AHC and air bags would be compatible.

IIRC, the 100 series AHC is shock based, and as such, still has coils in the rear and T bars up front. If you have a coil spring, you can have an air bag in it.

Brake controller and WD hitch are a given to me. Air bags not so much. No one at Lexus, Toyo, or the suspension shop seemed to think they were necessary if my assumptions on weight are correct and I was using a WD hitch.

The beautiful thing about the bags is that they are about 100 bucks and take about two hours to install. I would run it as is, and if you find that between gear and the trailer, you have more weight than the AHC likes, then add the bags.

 

[alexrex20]

the AHC will negate the benefits of a WD hitch, IMO.

 

[CSG]

Not according to Lexus. Why do you say that?

 

[Redline]

snip... Air bags not so much. No one at Lexus, Toyo, or the suspension shop seemed to think they were necessary if my assumptions on weight are correct and I was using a WD hitch.

I cautiously agree. Every set-up is different, but I have aux. air springs in the rear because my car is very heavy all the time (lots of armor). When I add the dead weight of an off-highway trailer to the rear axle without a WD hitch the added spring rate is a big help to prop up the rear and keep the front from lifting too much.

If you use a WD hitch and you have a moderate tongue weight that is properly split between the front/rear, you won't have a butt sagging problem and it should work well.

 

[CSG]

My rig is also a stripper in that I removed the third row jump seats, removed the running boards, and I have zero add-ons regarding armor, bumpers, bigger wheels and tires, roof racks, etc.