2020 Lexus GX460 tow

GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)
1814-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●The gross trailer weight must never exceed 6500 lb. (2950 kg).
●The gross combination weight must never exceed 13100 lb. (5940 kg).
●The gross vehicle weight must never
exceed the GVWR indicated on the
Certification Label.
●The gross axle weight on each axle
must never exceed the GAWR indi-
cated on the Certification Label.
●If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service brakes are
required.
●If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control device with
sufficient capacity is required.
●If the gross trailer weight is over 5 000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing
hitch with sufficient capacity is required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle
weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the limits.
■GCWR*
13100 lb. (5940 kg)
■TWR*
6500 lb. (2950 kg)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (453 kg)
Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International per SAE
J2807.

182
GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)4-1. Before driving
●A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of trailers
or towing as described below.
●To ensure the recommended values show
n below, the trailer must be loaded
by referring to the following instructions. • Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue weight is
9 % to 11 %. (Tongue weig ht/Gross trailer weight  100 = 9 % to 11 %)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front axle to the
same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be meas ured directly, measure the front fender
height above the front axle before co nnection. Adjust weight distributing
hitch torque until front fender is return ed to the same height as before con-
nection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight can be mea-
sured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Trailer Tongue Weight
1
2

GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)
1834-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Lexus recommends the
use of Lexus hitch/bracket for your ve hicle. For details, contact your Lexus
dealer.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Lexus dealer.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement of your
vehicle.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
●Remove the hitch ball whenever you are not towing a trailer. Remove the
trailer hitch if you do not need it. Afte r removing the hitch, seal any mounting
hole in the vehicle body to prevent en try of any substances into the vehicle.
Hitch

GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Vehicles without rear height control
air suspension
Weight carrying ball position:
50.4 in. (1280.6 mm)
*
Hitch receiver pin hole position:
41.1 in. (1044.2 mm)
*
Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension
Weight carrying ball position: 50.5 in. (1282.7 mm)
*
Hitch receiver pin hole position: 41.2 in. (1046.6 mm)*
*
: Unladen vehicles
Use the wire harness stored in the rear
end under the vehicle body.
Please consult your dealer when installin g trailer lights, as incorrect installation
may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply with your
state’s laws when installing trailer lights.
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
1
2
Connecting trailer lights
1
2

GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)
1874-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an acci-
dent, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
●Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not exceed the
posted towing speed limit.
●Lexus recommends that the vehicle-traile r speed limit is 65 mph (104 km/h)
on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exce ed this limit, the posted towing speed
limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s man-
ual, whichever is lowest. Instability of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
(trailer sway) increases as speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause
loss of control.
●Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
●Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an area
away from traffic until you become acc ustomed to the feel of the vehicle-
trailer combination.
●Reversing with a trailer attached is di fficult and requires practice. Grip the
bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the
trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right.
(This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp
or prolonged turning. Have someone gu ide you when reversing to reduce the
risk of an accident.
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of speed, allow at least
one vehicle and trailer length.
●Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, re sulting in the trailer jackknifing and
loss of vehicle control. This is especi ally true on wet or slippery surfaces.
Trailer towing tips

190
GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)4-1. Before driving
■Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■Before towing
Check that the followin
g conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 560)
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendation.
●All trailer lights work as required by law.
●All lights work each time you connect them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper to ngue weight, overload-
ing, 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 regula-
tions. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
No matter which class of tow hitch applies, for a
more safe trailer hookup, the trailer ball setup
must be the proper height for the coupler on the
trailer.
Trailer ball
Coupler
1
2

GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)
1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■AVS (adaptive variable suspension system) (if equipped)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. (P. 339)
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as an
engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you do not
tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start towing.
However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less than
50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to the addi-
tional load. (See “Owner’s Guide”, “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ba ll and bracket after approximately 600 miles
(1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing ve hicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wh eel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal im mediately but very gradually to reduce
speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer
should stabilize.

192
GX460_OM_OM60R27U_(U)4-1. Before driving
●After the trailer sw
aying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer. Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not ov erloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred is beyond
the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
●To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care an d drive the vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and operating condit ions. Failure to do so could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability and braking performance are
affected by trailer st ability, brake setting and performanc e, and the hitch. Your vehicle
will handle differently when towing a trailer.
●Set the vehicle height to the LO mode and turn off the rear height control air suspen-
sion when you connect a trailer, otherwise the vehicle height may change due to the
automatic leveling function, and you may ca tch part of your body in the vehicle,
resulting in an accident.