2021 Lexus GX460 Owner's Manual /

GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(U)
1854-1. 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.

186
GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(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_OM60T19U_(U)
1874-1. 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

188
GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(U)4-1. Before driving
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.
Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross trailer
weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer coupler.
Most couplers are stamped with the
required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of the lock washer and nut by at least 2 threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diameter size.
Selecting trailer ball
Trailer classTypical trailer ball size
IV2 5/16 in.
II and III2 in.
I1 7/8 in.
1
2
3
4

GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(U)
1894-1. 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

190
GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(U)4-1. Before driving
Stop your vehicle and a trailer
in line and perform the following:
●Connecting a trailer
Set the rear height control air su spension (if equipped) to N mode.
Turn off the engine switch or the re ar height control air suspension (if
equipped).
Connect the trailer.
Turn on the switch that was turned off on step .
●Disconnecting a trailer
Set the rear height control air su spension (if equipped) to N mode.
Turn off the rear height control air suspension (if equipped).
Turn off the engine switch.
Set the supporting leg of the trailer on the ground and raise the hitch by
4 in. (100 mm)
Turn on the engine switch.
Turn on the rear height control air suspension (if equipped).
Wait until vehicle height is stabilized.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If the hitch does not disconnect, raise the
hitch higher and repeat steps through .
Connecting and disconnecting a trailer
1
2
3
42
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
27

GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(U)
1914-1. 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

192
GX460_OM_OM60T19U_(U)4-1. Before driving
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
●Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, an
d slow down before making a turn.
●Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle
wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a wider than normal
turning radius.
●Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery surfaces,
etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
●Take care when passing other vehicles . Passing requires considerable dis-
tance. After passing a vehicle, do not fo rget the length of your trailer, and be
sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
●To maintain engine braking efficien cy and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 5 or lower.
●Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden
downshifts while descending st eep or long downhill grades.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
●Due to the added load of the trailer, yo ur vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot
days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a long or steep
grade. If the engine coolant temperat ure gauge indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and
stop in a safe spot. ( P. 553)