2010 Lexus GX460 towing

354
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the to tal weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capa city) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the av ailable amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicl e, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consu lt this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( P. 359)

359
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity:
Vehicles without rear height control air suspension
With third seats — 1315 lb. (595 kg) 
Without third seats — 1525 lb. (690 kg)
Vehicles with rear height control air suspension 1280 lb. (580 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 
With third seats — 7 occupants (Front 2, Rear 5) 
Without third seats — 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ Towing capacity: 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximu m gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity ma y increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

365
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load carrying vehi-
cle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel consumptio n. For your safety and the safety of
others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. The vehi-
cle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake
setting and performance, and the hitch.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing
a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Lexus dealer for furt her information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
■ Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight , gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue lo ad are all within the limits.

367
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
■Trailer tongue load
●A recommended tongue load varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● In order to ensure the recommen ded values shown below, the
trailer must be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue
load is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer weight, not exceeding 650 lb.
(294 kg). (Tongue load/Total trailer weight  100 = 9 to 11 %)
If the gross trailer weight is ov er 2000 lbs. (900 kg), it is neces-
sary to use a sway control de vice with sufficient capacity.
If the gross trailer weight is ov er 5000 lbs. (2268 kg), it is neces-
sary to use a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity.
If using a weight distributing hitc h when towing, keep your vehicle
level with the ground.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing stations, building
supply companies, trucking co mpanies, junk yards, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

368
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Towing related term
Towing related termMeaning
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
The maximum allowable gross vehicle
weight. The gross vehicle weight is the total
weight of the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo and any
optional equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue load.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight 
Rating)The maximum allowable gross axle weight. 
The gross axle weight is the load placed on
each axle (front and rear).
GCWR (Gross Combination
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross combina-
tion weight. The gross combination weight
is the sum of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo and any
optional equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the weight of the trailer being
towed (including the cargo in the trailer).
Gross trailer weightThe sum of the trailer weight and the
weight of the cargo in the trailer.

369
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Towing a trailerContact your Lexus dealer for furt her information about additional
requirements such as a towing kit etc.
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have differen t weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Ev en though the vehicle may be rated for towing
a higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight
rating specified for the trailer hitch.
Towing related termMeaning
Towing capacity
The maximum allowable gross trailer
weight. Towing capacity is calculated con-
sidering the base vehicle with necessary
vehicle equipment and occupants. Addi-
tional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the vehicle will reduce the towing
capacity, gross trailer weight includes the
trailer, cargo and necessary equipment for
towing.
Tongue loadThe load placed on the trailer hitch ball.

372
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●The vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P. 76 0 )
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion.
●All trailer lights work.
●All lights work each time you connect them.
●The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
●The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not
drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue load, overloading,
worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing pur-
poses.

373
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
●Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could cause
an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR and GAWR can cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious personal injuries.